The Buffalo Bills secured a 31-21 victory over the Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium, improving their record to 3-0 for the season. The game was tied at 21 in the fourth quarter when quarterback Josh Allen connected with wide receiver Khalil Shakir for a 15-yard touchdown, marking Allen’s third touchdown of the night and his 200th career passing touchdown.
On Miami’s following possession, linebacker Terrel Bernard intercepted Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with just over three minutes remaining, sealing the win for Buffalo. With this result, head coach Sean McDermott remains undefeated against Miami at home, now holding a 9-0 record.
Miami started strong with a touchdown on its opening drive after a long kick return and several third-down conversions. Rookie running back Ollie Gordon scored from two yards out to give the Dolphins an early lead. The Bills responded with consecutive scoring drives capped by touchdowns from tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Jackson Hawes.
Buffalo took a 14-7 lead before Miami tied it up late in the first half after capitalizing on a missed field goal attempt by Matt Prater. Both teams continued trading scores in the second half. Running back James Cook III gave Buffalo a third-quarter lead with his seventh straight game rushing for a touchdown, tying a franchise record.
Miami evened the score again in the fourth quarter after Tyreek Hill caught a five-yard touchdown pass from Tagovailoa. On Buffalo’s next possession, punter Sam Martin was hit by Miami’s Zach Sieler during an attempted punt, resulting in a roughing penalty that kept the drive alive. Allen finished that series with his milestone pass to Shakir.
After Bernard’s interception stopped Miami’s next threat, Allen found Elijah Moore for 30 yards to help set up Prater’s successful 48-yard field goal. That extended Buffalo’s lead to ten points with less than half a minute left. The Dolphins were unable to answer before time expired.
Notable achievements from this matchup include Josh Allen becoming “the fastest player in NFL history to reach 300 career offensive TDs, including playoffs.” James Cook also matched a team record with rushing touchdowns in seven straight games. Dalton Kincaid became “the first Bills TE to have four or more receptions in each of his first three games of a season.”
Buffalo has now won its last thirteen regular-season home games and is off to its second consecutive 3-0 start under head coach Sean McDermott.
