The Miami Dolphins are perhaps still looking for their first victory of the season, but off the field, there’s a swell of hope and happiness sweeping the Tagovailoa family. Just days after Tua Tagovailoa’s costly interception against the Bills made headlines, his mother, Diane Tagovailoa, shared some uplifting news that felt far more significant than any score.

On Twitter, Diane paused to celebrate a close family friend who had just celebrated the completion of his cancer treatment by ringing the bell. She wrote, “Love to see it!!! Congratulations, my friend. Prayers for continuous healing over you!!!” This heartfelt message perfectly captured her signature optimism, something Tua has often credited his mom for instilling in him.

Her words stood in stark contrast to the atmosphere in Miami’s locker room. After Thursday night’s 31-21 loss to Buffalo, Tua faced the media and candidly stated, “No moral victories. That’s for sure.” While his performance was under the microscope, his mother’s message resonated with a different vibe. It was of resilience and faith, also qualities the Tagovailoas have built on through thick and thin.

Diane’s unwavering positivity has been a guiding force for Tua since he was young. Back in 2020, he shared, “I probably get that from my mom. My mom thinks everything is going to be good. She is very prayerful over her kids.” It’s that same spirit that helped him bounce back from a hip injury and concussions, and now it’s the same voice lifting others during their toughest battles.

That is the same spirit that stayed with him through concussions, setbacks, and now, as the Dolphins struggle through a rough start. Her most recent post wasn’t only a shout-out to a family friend, but it was also a reminder of how the Tagovailoas approach adversity: head-on, with faith guiding the way.

For a family accustomed to handling pressure on the field, moments like these serve as a reminder that victories off the field hold just as much weight. The Dolphins’ season may be filled with challenges, but Diane Tagovailoa’s announcement was a beautiful reminder: healing, faith, and resilience will always ring true.

Mike McDaniel and Tua Tagovailoa on the hot seat after Dolphins’ loss to Bills

On the field, Buffalo managed to keep its perfect record alive. A late interception by linebacker Terrel Bernard clinched the Bills’ 31-21 victory, improving their record to 3-0 while sending Miami deeper into a tough spot at 0-3.

Josh Allen had a solid game, completing 22 of 28 passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns. With this performance, he surpassed Patrick Mahomes to become the fastest player in NFL history to hit 300 career offensive touchdowns. Running back James Cook was a key player on the ground, racking up 108 rushing yards and a short touchdown. However, the win wasn’t as convincing as the score might imply. Buffalo allowed Miami to convert 10 of 15 third downs, keeping the Dolphins in the game longer than they should have been. Their offense also struggled at times, relying heavily on Cook’s explosive runs to keep drives alive.

On the other side, Miami showed some fight. Tua Tagovailoa threw for 146 yards, with two touchdowns and one costly interception late in the fourth quarter. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle both found the end zone. And the defense, which was struggling all season, finally stepped up. They nearly forced three straight punts before a roughing-the-kicker penalty gave Buffalo a second chance.

Head coach Mike McDaniel faced questions about his job security heading into the game. His team started strong with a 10-play touchdown drive and managed to tie it at 14-14 by halftime. “So far so good, but it’s meaningless without another half,” McDaniel remarked during the break. His squad kept pushing until Bernard’s interception sealed the deal.

But improvement can only buy so much time. Miami has now started 0-3 for the second time in ten years, the last being in 2019. The franchise is on the hunt for solutions as their schedule doesn’t get any easier, with a Monday night showdown against the New York Jets on the horizon.