Buffalo Bills Defeat Miami Dolphins 31-21 to Remain Undefeated

The Buffalo Bills maintained their undefeated record with a 31-21 victory over the Miami Dolphins on ‘Thursday Night Football,’ improving to 3-0 and keeping the Dolphins winless at 0-3. The game was decided by a crucial late interception from Terrel Bernard, who stepped up in the closing minutes to secure the win for Buffalo. From the outset, the Bills’ offense, led by Josh Allen, appeared in command. Allen threw three touchdowns and finished 22-of-28 for 213 yards, notching his 200th career TD pass and reinforcing his status as one of the league’s elite quarterbacks. The Bills struck early with a touchdown pass to Dalton Kincaid and a creative backhanded flip TD to Jackson Hawes. Meanwhile, running back James Cook continued his breakout season, rushing 19 times for 108 yards and a touchdown, and providing consistent production throughout the night. Despite Buffalo’s early dominance, the Dolphins, coached by Mike McDaniel, showed resilience. Miami tied the score at 14 just before halftime with a late touchdown from Jaylen Waddle and kept pace into the fourth quarter, relying on efficient third-down conversions (10-of-15) and quick passing from Tua Tagovailoa. Tagovailoa finished with 161 passing yards and two touchdowns but struggled to push the ball downfield, averaging just 4.3 yards per attempt and often settling for short completions. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle made key grabs, but Miami’s offense was limited by Buffalo’s disciplined defense. The contest turned on two pivotal Dolphins penalties. A roughing-the-kicker infraction by Zach Sieler in the fourth quarter kept a Bills drive alive, ultimately leading to a go-ahead touchdown pass to Khalil Shakir. Earlier, a late hit by Jordyn Brooks extended another Buffalo drive that ended in points. These mistakes were costly for a Dolphins team trying to snap an early-season losing streak. With just over three minutes remaining and the Dolphins threatening to tie, Bernard intercepted Tagovailoa and returned the ball 24 yards, setting up a clock-draining field goal to seal the win. Bernard’s performance was especially vital given injuries to Buffalo defenders Matt Milano and Ed Oliver. As noted by NFL.com, Bernard has a knack for clutch plays, having recovered a critical fumble in Week 1 as well. While Buffalo’s offense has now topped 30 points in each of its first three games—matching a feat last achieved by the 1948-49 49ers—the second half saw some stagnation, with dropped passes and missed opportunities. The team’s point differential (+31) leads the AFC East, where the Bills are eyeing a sixth straight division title. For the Dolphins, there are signs of progress. The defense, though battered, made key stops, and the offense executed several creative plays, including a trick lateral from Malik Washington to De’Von Achane. However, the combination of untimely penalties and the late turnover was too much to overcome. Coach McDaniel’s job security has been questioned, but the team’s fight was evident, and with three of their next four opponents currently winless, opportunities for a turnaround remain. Statistically, Next Gen Stats highlighted that Josh Allen and Tua Tagovailoa combined for just 1.5 air yards per completion—the lowest in a game since tracking began in 2016—underscoring the defensive game plan and the focus on short passing. For betting and fantasy football fans, James Cook’s workload and efficiency make him a player to watch going forward, while De’Von Achane’s increasing involvement in Miami’s passing game could pay dividends. For a full highlight package, check out Dolphins vs. Bills highlights | Week 3. With the Bills set to face the New Orleans Saints and the Dolphins hosting the New York Jets on ‘Monday Night Football’, the AFC East race is heating up early in the 2025 NFL season.