The Buffalo Bills’ defense delivered an impressive performance despite being severely undermanned. Missing key players like cornerback Taron Johnson, linebacker Matt Milano, and losing LB Terrel Bernard to injury early in the game, Buffalo’s defense faced a formidable Miami Dolphins offense. Under the sweltering Miami heat, which was expected to give the home team an edge, the Bills held firm, intercepting Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa three times and stopping Miami on three fourth-down attempts.
Cornerback Cam Lewis, stepping in for the injured Johnson, overcame a shaky start to have a strong showing. Meanwhile, Ja’Marcus Ingram, in the biggest game of his career, recorded two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Dorian Williams came up with a critical third-down stop, followed by Ed Oliver’s sack on fourth down, stifling another Dolphins drive. The brilliance of Buffalo’s strategy was evident in how they kept the ball away from Miami’s top playmakers, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. All three of Tagovailoa’s interceptions occurred when targeting other receivers, as Hill and Waddle were held to just seven combined catches for 65 yards. After a slow start last week, Sean McDermott and Bobby Babich’s shorthanded defense cleaned up their performance and executed the game plan flawlessly.
Dolphins Offense Stumbles Before Tagovailoa’s Injury
Miami’s offense struggled before Tua Tagovailoa left the game in the third quarter due to a concussion, the third of his NFL career. Tagovailoa had a rough outing, throwing three interceptions — including a pick-six that gave Buffalo a commanding 31-10 lead. His first two interceptions were partly due to miscues by receivers Grant DuBose and Robbie Chosen, but the pick-six was a poor throw under heavy pressure. Adding to the Dolphins’ woes, offensive tackle Terron Armstead and left guard Robert Jones left the game with injuries, and the offense struggled even before their exit. Miami’s momentum was repeatedly halted by penalties and failed fourth-down conversions.
Running back De’Von Achane, a game-time decision due to an ankle injury, was the lone standout for Miami, racking up a career-high 29 touches. His stellar play was one of the few bright spots, but it was puzzling to see him still on the field late in the game with the rest of Miami’s starters sidelined. The bigger concern now is Tagovailoa’s health, especially given his concussion history.
James Cook Shines in His Hometown
Bills running back James Cook had one of the best games of his career in front of his hometown crowd. Entering the game with modest numbers against Miami, Cook broke out early, scoring three first-half touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) and finishing with 95 yards on 12 touches. His performance helped the Bills build a 24-7 halftime lead.
Fourth-round rookie Ray Davis contributed with some solid runs, while Ty Johnson’s 33-yard catch set up Cook’s second touchdown. Buffalo’s offensive line opened up space for Cook and made life easier for QB Josh Allen, who didn’t have to shoulder the usual load.
Miami’s Defensive Woes Continue
After a promising Week 1, the Dolphins’ defense regressed in their matchup with the Bills. Buffalo’s first three scoring drives all began in Miami territory, but the Dolphins’ defense was pushed around. They struggled to contain James Cook, who barely faced any resistance on his three touchdowns. Additionally, when Josh Allen had time to throw, he was effective and efficient. Miami’s pass rush, which had shown flashes in recent games, was virtually non-existent in the first half. The pressure will now be on the Dolphins’ defense to step up, especially if Skylar Thompson has to take over for the injured Tagovailoa at quarterback.
Josh Allen’s Quiet but Efficient Day
While there were concerns about Josh Allen’s left hand injury, which required him to wear a special glove, it didn’t seem to affect his play. Allen was efficient, completing 13 of 19 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown, and more importantly, he had zero turnovers. He only rushed twice for 2 yards, a notable shift from his usual playstyle. The Bills’ offense didn’t even cross 40 plays until midway through the fourth quarter, thanks to their early efficiency and the defense’s dominance. Allen’s quieter role in this win was unusual, but Buffalo will happily take the balanced performance, especially with the run game and defense leading the way.
Next Gen Stat of the Game: On his 49-yard touchdown run, James Cook reached a top speed of 20.99 mph, the fastest speed as a ball carrier in his career. The run gained +42 rushing yards over expected.
NFL Research: Since Mike McDaniel took over as head coach in 2022, the Dolphins are 20-13 with Tua Tagovailoa as their starting quarterback, including Thursday’s loss to the Bills. They are just 1-4 without him during that span.
Read More: Who Are the Key Cast Members in “The Wanker” (2025) and What Roles Do They Play?
