The Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills faced off in the Thursday Night Football kickoff to Week 3 of the 2025 NFL season. The AFC East rivals entered the game headed in opposite directions, with Miami looking for their first win of the year while Buffalo was looking to remain undefeated.
The game was not the blowout many expected, with Miami putting up a fight until late in the game. Two big mistakes in the fourth quarter sealed the game for the Bills, but the Dolphins looked a lot more competitive than they had in the first two games.
Buffalo advanced to 3-0 with the win while Miami drops to 0-3. Buffalo hosts the New Orleans Saints in Week 4, while Miami hosts the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.
Final Score
Dolphins 21 – 31 Bills
Recap and Reactions
First Quarter
Dolphins first possession
The Bills won the coin toss and deferred to the second half, giving Miami the ball first. The Dolphins offense came out looking to silence the naysayers and the Highmark Stadium crowd. Wide receiver Dee Eskridge started things off with a 55-yard kickoff return, giving the Dolphins the ball at the Bills’ 46-yard line. Over 10 plays, Miami threw the ball four times, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa completing all four for 29 yards and a combination of running backs De’Von Achane and Ollie Gordon II picking up 23 yards on six carries. Gordon finished the drive with a two-yard power run up the middle for the score.
That is a great start for a Dolphins team that has been slow in the opening periods for the first two weeks this year. It is just one drive, but that felt more like an effective team that can compete. Can the defense do the same now?
Dolphins 7-0.
Bills first possession
The Bills opened their drive at their own 15-yard line after an unnecessary roughness penalty on the kick return. They regained the lost yardage on the first play as Miami cornerback Jack Jones was called for defensive pass interference after he grabbed wide receiver Keon Coleman’s collar and never let go. Buffalo turned the drive over to running back James Cook for much of the drive, picking up 30 yards on three runs, before quarterback Josh Allen threw to tight end Dalton Kincaid for nine yards, then two plays later, found Kincaid again for a 20-yard touchdown pass.
The defense was getting run over out there. They should be strong at stopping the run, but they did not look like it on that drive. And, tight ends causing problems for the Dolphins – what is new?
Tied 7-7.
Dolphins second possession
Miami opened their second possession at their own 15-yard line after a 29-yard return from wide receiver Malik Washington was negated by an illegal block above the waist penalty. Miami could not do anything on the possession, missing on a first down pass, then gaining five yards on an Achane carry, only to have Tagovailoa fumble the snap on 3rd-and-5. He was able to pick up the ball and gain two yards, but Miami punted on the three-and-out drive.
Not the reinforcement of the first drive Miami needed. They cannot afford three-and-outs against the Bills, especially if the defense is going to struggle stopping the run tonight. Tagovailoa needs to settle down.
Bills second possession
Buffalo moved from their own 37-yard line into Miami territory in two plays, with Cook picking up nine yards and wide receiver Elijah Moore gaining 11 yards on a jet sweep that caught the Dolphins defense off guard. Allen then threw to Kincaid over the middle for 12 yards before a four-yard run from running back Ty Johnson ended the quarter.
Second Quarter
Bills second possession (continued)
On 2nd-and-5, Cook gained three yards before Buffalo converted for the first down with a five-yard run from Cook. Three plays later, the Bills were down to the Miami five-yard line with a first down. Allen was flushed out of the pocket on the next play, but as he approached the line of scrimmage, he flipped the ball forward, through the rushing Dolphins defenders, with tight end Jackson Hawes catching the ball for the score.
The defense needs to wake up. The Bills are doing whatever they want right now, and the defense looks like they are a play behind in trying to slow them down. Why is linebacker Jaelan Phillips in coverage so much? They need to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks, but they keep dropping one of their top pass rushers into coverage.
Bills 14-7.
Dolphins third possession
Miami again went three-and-out on their next third drive following an incomplete pass, a throw to Achane for a yard, and an incomplete pass.
The Dolphins’ offense is going back into their shell. Tagovailoa does not look like he is completely panicking right now, which I guess is an improvement, but this is not going to cut it against the Bills and their offensive firepower.
Bills third possession
The Bills started attacking again, using a mix of the pass and the run to continue to gash Miami’s defense. Over nine plays, the Buffalo offense gained 52 yards and reached the redzone, but a Bradley Chubb sack on 3rd-and-8 led to a field goal attempt, with the kick sailing wide left.
Chubb stepped up at the right moment. Now the offense needs to put up some points to make the stand worth something.
Dolphins fourth possession
Miami opened with a two-yard pass to Achane, then a seven-yard run from the running back. On 3rd-and-1, Gordon was able to push forward for four yards and a first down. Achane then picked up four yards on the first down, but the Dolphins’ love of the pass into the flat bit them on second down, when Achane was hit immediately for a six-yard loss. On 3rd-and-12, Tagovailoa scrambled away from pressure, finding Hill downfield for 19 yards and a first down as the clock rolled to the two-minute warning. After two incomplete passes, the Dolphins faced 3rd-and-10 from the Bills’ 41-yard line. Tagovailoa threw to Hill near the first down line, witht he receiver dropping back toward the line of scrimmage before being able to turn up field and turn the play into a 13-yard gain and a first down. Gordon picked up two yards before Buffalo used a timeout with 55 seconds remaining in the half. Achane lost two yards on a pass from Tagovailoa, but the Bills had to use their final timeout after forward progress was ruled, leaving 47 seconds on the clock. Tagovailoa avoided the pressure, then ran for an eight-yard gain and a first down on 3rd-and-7 before using their first time out. After an incomplete pass, Achane picked up seven yards on the ground to set up 3rd-and-3 from the Bills 10-yard line. A quick pass to Hill for seven yards was followed by a three-yard pass to wide receiver Jaylen Waddle for the score.
The Dolphins were absolutely perfect on that drive. They worked the clock, forced the Bills to use their timeouts, and came away with the score. Absolutely masterful work there.
Tied 7-7.
Bills fourth possession
The Bills knelt to kill the clock on their drive.
Halftime Thoughts
Where has this team been the first two weeks? They are not perfect, but they are competing and they look like a team trying to actually win. They are standing toe to toe with the Big Bad Bills, and they are still standing after the first half. Can they keep it up in the second half?
The Dolphins’ offense has to figure out how to get away from the pass in the flat. It is their top offensive play at the moment. I know opposing defenses are stacking the middle of the field and running two-high safeties to keep Hill and Waddle from getting deep, but there are just so many passes to the running backs in the flat, and the defenses are firing in to make those short gains or losses. They have to figure out something to open up something other than the dump off into the flat.
The defense needs to wake up. Maybe the Chubb sack will spark something, but the Dolphins have the momentum right now, with the Bills getting the ball to start the second half. A defensive stand could go a long way to keeping Miami in control of the game.
Third Quarter
Bills fifth possession
Opening the second half, the Bills immediately found their offensive rhythm after the break, starting with Allen throwing three straight passes for eight yards, eight yards, and 15 yards before a holding penalty backed the offense up 10 yards. Allen then scrambled through the Miami defense for 19 yards on 1st-and-20, then threw to Kincaid for 19 yards. Linebacker Tyrell Dodson sacked Allen on 1st-and-Goal, but linebacker Jordyn Brooks took Allen to the ground well after the whistle and the sack was negated. Cook ran through the middle of the line on the next snap to give the Bills the lead again.
Miami’s defense failed to make a stand and maintain the team’s momentum. Allen just looked like the MVP, taking control of the game and putting the defense back on their heels. Not sure the penalty at the end actually had any impact on the drive, but not sure why Brooks felt the need to carry through on the play well after the whistle.
Bills 21-14
Dolphins fifth possession
The Dolphins started their first possession of the half with a screen attempt to Waddle, only to have it blown up for a three-yard loss. Achane gained two yards on a second-down run, then Tagovailoa looked deep to Hill, with the ball going through the receiver’s hands as he jumped to try to make the catch. Miami punted on the three-and-out drive.
Miami did nothing on the drive. Now they are putting the pressure back on the defense to make a stop and keep them in the game. The Dolphins almost got lucky as the punt return was muffed, but the Bills were able to fall on the loose ball.
Bills sixth possession
Cornerback Jack Jones blitzed on first down to make a stop on a one-yard run from Cook, then Jones blew up a pass to Moore, stopping the completion for no gain. On 3rd-and-9, Buffalo completed a pass to Kincaid, but it was well short of the first down and the Bills punted.
Ladies and gentlemen…the Dolphins defense forced a punt! It actually happened. Live. In a game. The Bills were held on third down and were forced to kick the ball back to Miami. It’s a rarity this season, but it did actually happen! Now the offense needs to tie the game up.
Dolphins sixth possession
Miami did not do anything with their drive, picking up five yards on an Achane run before two incomplete passes. The Dolphins punted back to the Bills.
Back on the defense. Get the ball back for the offense and keep this within a score. Hill slipped on the first incomplete pass after being held (without a flag) and limped off the field, but was back after a timeout from the Bills. Hopefully that is nothing major.
Bills seventh possession
Buffalo was able to pick up a first down on a 3rd-and-2 to start the drive, but the offense stiffened and Allen threw three-straight incomplete passes for Miami to force a second-straight punt.
I am not sure what is happening right now. The defense seems to have found themselves. Let’s go!
Dolphins seventh possession
Miami opened the possession with a nine-yard gain on a pass from Tagovailoa to Achane, who made a man miss in the backfield and turned upfield. Gordon then took the handoff for a power run up the middle to pick up the one yard and convert the first down, only to have the rookie turn it into a 16-yard gain as he broke tackles and kept his balance. After Gordon lost two yards on first down, rookie guard Jonah Savaiinaea was called for being down field on what would have been a 16-yard catch and run for tight end Julian Hill. On the resulting 2nd-and-17, Tagovailoa dumped the ball to Achane as the blitz came into the backfield gaining three yards. The clock ran down to the fourth quarter after the play.
Third Quarter
Dolphins seventh possession (continued)
After the break, Miami opened with a quick pass across the middle to Washington for three yards before he threw a backwards pass across the field to Achane, who picked up seven yards more yards. Then Waddle caught a slant for 15 yards on 4th-and-4, giving Miami a first down at the Bills’ 21-yard line. Achane ran for 14 yards on the next play, with Tagovailoa finding Hill in the back of the endzone two plays later for the score.
Okay offense, we see you. After Waddle brought back the penguin waddle celebration earlier, Hill brings back the backflip. The offense is trying to find the fun they had back in 2023. The drive was really well done – and those first two plays of the quarter were great play calling. Can the defense make a third-straight stop and give Miami a chance to take the lead?
Tied 21-21.
Bills eighth possession
Cook started the drive with an 11-yard run, but a run for no gain, a pass from Allen to Cook for three yards, and an incomplete pass forced a third-straight punt. But defensive tackle Zach Sieler was called for roughing the kicker, and the Bills got a free first down. Cook then picked up six yards to move the ball to the Miami 30-yard line. Three plays later, Allen threw a screen to wide receiver Khalil Shakir, who found the endzone from 15 yards out.
Damn. Just damn. That is not a mistake we usually see from Sieler, and it came back to bite the Dolphins hard. What looked like a chance to take control of the game now is a tough position for Miami. If they score quickly, the Bills can work the clock and win the game at the end. If they wait too long, it could send the game into overtime, which could still give the Bills a chance to win. Of course, that is all assuming Miami can score a touchdown here.
Bills 28-21.
Dolphins eighth possession
The Dolphins faced 3rd-and-8 early in the possession, converting on an 11-yard pass to Waddle. Three plays later, they again faced a third down, this time 3rd-and-4. Miami called a timeout before the play, then lined up and Tagovailoa threw a quick pass to Waddle for 13 yards and a first down. A run from Gordon for four yards and a end around from Washington for six yards gave Miami a first down before Tagovailoa threw an interception, giving the Bills back the ball.
That may be it. Wow. Tagovailoa was looking for Waddle, but was locked on to him the entire way and threw it straight into coverage. That drive looked like it was going to be a great one for Miami, who was systematic with the ball, only to have it end in the turnover with three minutes remaining in the game. The defense has to make something happen immediately.
Bills ninth possession
The drive opened with a 10-yard run from Cook, but a holding penalty backed up the Bills. After a four-yard run from Cook and a Miami timeout, Allen threw an underneath pass to Moore, with no one near him and the receiver turned it into a 30-yard gain. After the two-minute warning, Cook picked up three yards and the Dolphins used their final timeout. Three plays later, the Bills kicked a 48-yard field goal with 27 seconds remaining.
Sieler’s penalty and Tagovailoa’s interception sealed this for the Bills. Damn.
Bills 31-21.
Dolphins ninth possession
Miami opened with a 12-yard catch and run from tight end Tanner Conner, followed by an incomplete pass overthrowing Hill on the next snap. With 11 seconds remaining, Washington picked up 14 yards on a screen pass as the clock ran out.
