The game was tightly contested throughout, with both teams trading scores in the first half. Buffalo struck first, as tight end Dalton Kincaid hauled in a 20-yard touchdown pass from Josh Allen. Allen, who finished 22-of-28 for 213 yards and three touchdowns with a 134.1 passer rating, was sharp early but the offense stalled at times against a resilient Dolphins defense. Miami answered with a methodical 10-play, 52-yard drive, capped by a Jaylen Waddle touchdown, and the teams were knotted at 14-14 at halftime.
The second half saw the Bills reclaim the lead with a James Cook rushing touchdown. Cook was a key contributor, racking up 108 yards on 19 carries (5.7 yards per carry) and catching three passes. However, the Dolphins refused to go away—quarterback Tua Tagovailoa kept Miami in the game with short, accurate passes, eventually tying the score at 21 on a Tyreek Hill touchdown catch early in the fourth quarter. Tagovailoa’s final numbers: 22-of-34, 146 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, with the Dolphins converting 10-of-15 third downs in a game plan focused on quick passes and controlling the clock.
A pivotal moment came with just over 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Miami appeared to have forced a Bills punt, but a roughing the kicker penalty on Zach Sieler extended Buffalo’s drive. The Bills capitalized, with Khalil Shakir scoring a swing-pass touchdown to give Buffalo a 28-21 lead. On Miami’s ensuing possession, as the Dolphins threatened in the red zone, Bernard intercepted Tagovailoa’s pass intended for Waddle, returning it 24 yards and setting up a field goal that put the game out of reach.
Despite missing key defenders like Matt Milano and Ed Oliver, Buffalo’s defense made timely plays. Bernard’s interception was the team’s first turnover forced in the game and capped a performance in which Buffalo held Miami to just 4.3 yards per pass attempt. Rookie defensive tackle Deone Walker also pressured Tagovailoa into the decisive mistake. On offense, Buffalo spread the ball effectively—nine different receivers caught passes, and Kincaid led with 66 yards and a score.
For Miami, the loss was another blow in a difficult start to the season, but there were signs of improvement under coach Mike McDaniel. The Dolphins’ offense, led by De’Von Achane’s 62 rushing yards and 7 catches on 9 targets, showed life, and the defense forced multiple second-half punts for the first time in 2025. However, critical penalties and turnovers proved costly. Miami will look to rebound against the New York Jets on ‘Monday Night Football’ in Week 4.
Historically, the Bills’ offensive output is notable—they’ve now scored 30 or more points in each of their first three games for the second consecutive season, a feat matched only by the 1948-49 49ers according to NFL Research. With a +31 point differential in the AFC East and Josh Allen in MVP form, Buffalo appears poised to contend for a sixth straight division title.
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