The Buffalo Bills are preparing for their second regular season game against the Miami Dolphins, scheduled for Sunday in Miami. The Bills are seeking their seventh straight regular season win over the Dolphins, following a 31-21 victory in Week 3 of the 2025 NFL season. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET.
Buffalo currently holds a 6-2 record and sits second in the AFC East, just behind the New England Patriots. Miami is third in the division with a 2-7 record, having secured wins against the New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons.
Head coach Sean McDermott provided an injury update ahead of Wednesday’s practice. Defensive end Joey Bosa (wrist), running back James Cook (ankle), defensive end A.J. Epenesa (concussion), cornerback Taron Johnson (groin), defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (calf), and linebacker Shaq Thompson (hamstring) did not participate in practice. Cook was injured during the recent game against Kansas City and continues to recover. Jones’ absence was described as part of his rehabilitation schedule rather than a standard rest day.
Linebacker Terrel Bernard and wide receiver Joshua Palmer were limited participants on Wednesday. Cornerback Christian Benford was added to the injury report after practice due to a groin issue and was also listed as limited.
Reflecting on their previous matchup, Week 3 saw Buffalo defeat Miami with quarterback Josh Allen throwing three touchdown passes without any interceptions, while James Cook rushed for 108 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa of Miami threw a late interception as his team tried to close a seven-point gap in the fourth quarter.
McDermott emphasized that despite their earlier win over Miami, preparation remains crucial: “We’re moving in the right direction. We are, and I applaud the staff and the coaches for it, they’ve done a really good job. Players have recalibrated a little bit and done everything that we’ve asked them to do,” McDermott said. “Now we’ve got to continue to go because we’re not where we need to be. This is a big divisional game down there away, and so we’ve got to put a good week of preparation in.”
Since their last meeting with Buffalo, Miami has made changes at management level by parting ways with general manager Chris Grier after Week 9; senior personnel executive Champ Kelly now serves as interim general manager. The Dolphins also traded linebacker Jaelan Phillips to Philadelphia for a third-round pick in next year’s draft; Phillips had played most defensive snaps this season before being traded.
McDermott addressed these changes: “We can’t control any of that (trades). At the end of the day, we’ve got to get ourselves ready to go, and our level of play is what matters most, and what impacts that the most is how we prepare during the week and how we handle ourselves,” he said. “If we’re worried about that, then we’re not going to be able to play to the level we need to play to win the game. Very competitive team, and we have a ton of respect for their game, so we’ve got to get ourselves ready to go.”
Buffalo’s offense has been performing strongly this season under offensive coordinator Joe Brady’s guidance alongside McDermott’s leadership. The team leads the NFL in total offense with an average of 385.5 yards per game—its highest ranking since Josh Allen became starting quarterback—and recently involved ten different receivers during its win over Kansas City.
Allen highlighted spreading opportunities among teammates: “Everybody’s got their own skill set that we need to continue to utilize at a higher level, and that starts with myself. Last game, we completions to 10 different targets last week,” Allen said. “And that’s what we’re going to need to do — we’re going to need to utilize everybody, and guys are going have to step up and make some plays, but I have to give them the opportunity to do that.”
Tight end Dalton Kincaid recorded more than 100 receiving yards and scored once in Week 9; McDermott praised his development but noted expectations remain high across all positions: “I love nastiness, I love physicality. That’s how we play here in Buffalo,” McDermott said. “So, if you want to be good, you’ve got to bring that to the table in all three phases.”
On defense, injuries have opened opportunities for younger players such as safety Jordan Hancock, cornerback Maxwell Hairston, defensive tackle Deone Walker, defensive end Landon Jackson and safety Cole Bishop following Michael Hoecht’s Achilles injury which will sideline him for remainder of season.
Walker mentioned learning from veterans like DaQuan Jones while Jordan Poyer acts as mentor for Bishop and Hancock.
Regarding Landon Jackson stepping into an increased role due partly due injuries on defense: “With the injury situation and some of the holes … [Jackson] needs to step up, and he knows that. [Jackson’s] been very conscientious,” McDermott said about Jackson’s progress as rookie defensive end.
Jackson acknowledged ongoing discussions with coaches about readiness: “Quite a bit throughout these past few weeks of being active, inactive,” Jackson said regarding talks with McDermott and Babich.” Just saying that I’m looking good playing, I’m getting better every day and just continue to grow.”
