ORCHARD PARK, NY – Tua Tagovailoa went head-to-head with Josh Allen and the Miami Dolphins played their nemesis, the Buffalo Bills, on a Sunday afternoon in Western New York.

The final score was the Bills 30 and the Dolphins 27, another loss for Miami in what was actually a better rivalry.

But this one felt different.

“No moral victories,” Miami coach Mike McDaniel said.

“I don’t think we believe in moral victories,” Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle said.

“No moral victories in this game,” Dolphins defensive lineman Calais Campbell said.

I don't care. I declare this a moral victory.

The Dolphins shouldn't trade Campbell (unless he specifically asks for it, which I doubt).

And they weren't supposed to trade anyone before Tuesday's 4 p.m. NFL trade deadline.

NFL trade deadline: Miami Dolphins should stay put

At 2-6 it's hard to justify major additions. Miami can hope that Bradley Chubb, Isaiah Wynn and River Cracraft can all make a positive impact if they are reinserted into the rotation.

And yes, also the injured Zach Sieler, Jevon Holland and Kader Kohou.

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Miami should stand firm, and despite losing on a last-second 61-yard field goal, Sunday is the best evidence of that.

It's not very likely, but it's certain possible Miami could go 5-1 in its next six games, evening its record at 7-7 and making the final month interesting.

Miami played so well on Sunday.

The Dolphins continued to establish a strong ground game. The offensive line has improved. Tua was extremely accurate.

Yes, Miami's defense – lacking depth and key players – faltered again late in the game.

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But the Dolphins have shown that when they're right, they're in the Bills' stratosphere. That means they could also be in the Chiefs and Ravens stratosphere.

“I am convinced that if we play football like we did today, we will win a lot of football games,” said Campbell, correctly noting that there is virtually no room for error down the road.

This was not a flawless performance.

Tua dropped a snap. Raheem Mostert fumbled.

Defensively, Poyer, the former Bill, committed a costly helmet-to-helmet penalty on the Bills' final drive.

Jordan Poyer believes the helmet-to-helmet call was a clean play

“I thought it was a clean game,” Poyer said. “I felt like I put my helmet right into his chest. I just played football.”

His former Bill colleague, Siran Neal, took a decisive penalty.

Miami allowed a long catch-and-run touchdown, citing one of those “miscommunications.”

But this Dolphins team showed courage, drive and perseverance.

Dolphins fans were understandably very, very upset about the 2-5 start.

But Dolphins fans should sleep a little easier on Sunday night.

I strongly believe the Dolphins are well-positioned to be competitive in any of the next six games – Rams, Raiders, Patriots, Packers, Jets, Texans.

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This thing doesn't appear to be on the verge of getting out of control.

“I thought Tua played one of his best games since we worked together,” McDaniel said.

Optimism.

“We have taken a step in the right direction together as a team,” said Tua. “This is the ball we want to show on Sundays.”

Optimism.

“I’m proud of this team,” Tyreek Hill said. “We got better today.”

Yes, you know.

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Look, we're not here to tell you that the Dolphins are well-positioned to make the 2024 NFL playoffs.

But Sunday's narrow loss to the Bills is, as Tua said, a positive step.

“They made one more play than we did today,” Dolphins linebacker Anthony Walker said. “You struck the final blow.”

Dolphins coaches and players, and certainly the owner and general manager, are frustrated, surprised and disappointed by a 2-6 start.

Just like fans.

But Sunday offered some hope.

At least they aren't knocked out yet.

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Joe Schad is a journalist who covers the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram and on X @shadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse newsletter. Support our work by subscribing today.

This article originally appeared on the Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa faces Bills in loss