Game Recap

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Bills 31, Dolphins 21 | Final score, game recap + highlights

Sep 19, 2025 at 01:05 AM

Alec White

Content Manager

Location: Highmark Stadium

Final score: Bills 31, Dolphins 21

Records: Bills (3-0), Dolphins (0-3)

Next opponent: Bills vs. Saints on Sunday, September 28 at 1 p.m. EST

The Lede

With the game tied 21-21 and less than eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, QB Josh Allen connected with WR Khalil Shakir on a 15-yard touchdown for a go-ahead score. It marked Allen's third touchdown of the night and the 200th passing TD of his career.

On the ensuing series, Bills LB Terrel Bernard picked off Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa with 3:06 remaining to seal the victory.

The Bills moved to 3-0 for the second consecutive season and head coach Sean McDermott improved to 9-0 vs. Miami at home.

Related Links

Game Frames | Bills vs. Dolphins | Week 3
Fan Photos | Bills vs Dolphins | Week 3
Sean McDermott: “Played Their Hearts Out“

Game Summary

The Dolphins struck first on the opening series of the game, aided by a 54-yard kick return into Buffalo territory. Miami converted three separate third downs on the drive, including rookie Ollie Gordon's two-yard touchdown run to go up 7-0.

The Bills answered with back to back scoring drives, both ending in touchdowns by Buffalo tight ends. Josh Allen connected with TE Dalton Kincaid for a 20-yard score, Kincaid's second TD of the season.

After Buffalo forced a punt, Allen led the offense on another scoring drive, a 10-play, 63-yard series that ended in TE Jackson Hawes' first career TD on a wild shovel pass from five yards out.

Allen was a crisp 11 of 13 passing for 97 yards in the first half. Though both TDs came through the air, the Bills had success on the ground as well with RB James Cook III carrying the ball eight times for 73 yards.

Miami took advantage of a missed field goal by Matt Prater and tied the game 14-14 before halftime. The Dolphins once again had success on third down that series, converting on all five attempts.

The Bills came out of the locker room ready to go. A 19-yard scramble by Allen and a 19-yard pass to Kincaid helped set up a two-yard rushing touchdown by Cook. It gave Buffalo the 21-14 lead. Cook's TD gave him his seventh straight game with a rushing touchdown, tying the Bills record.

Buffalo and Miami exchanged punts on the next four drives to bring it to the fourth quarter. To start the final quarter, Miami orchestrated a nine-play drive that took almost six minutes off the clock. RB Ollie Gordon II, RB De'Von Achane and WR Jaylen Waddle all had gains of at least 15 yards. The drive ended in a five-yard touchdown reception by WR Tyreek Hill. That marked the third tie of the game at 21-21.

Buffalo punted on their next drive but DT Zach Sieler got called for a roughing the kicker penalty, so the Bills' drive stayed alive. Allen finished the drive with a 15-yard TD pass to WR Khalil Shakir. The nine-play, 65-yard-scoring-drive gave Buffalo the 28-21 lead with 7:17 to play.

Miami moved the ball to Buffalo's 21-yard-line on their next drive, but it stalled there thanks to an interception by LB Terrel Bernard with 3:01 left in the game.

Buffalo picked up one first down on the next drive thanks to Allen connecting with WR Elijah Moore on a 30-yard play. That helped the Bills get close enough to attempt a 48-yard field goal. Prater's attempt was good which extended Buffalo's lead to 10 (31-21) with :22 on the clock.

Miami ran three plays and only got to their 48-yard-line before running out of time.

Game Highlights

Key Stats and Facts

The Bills have scored a TD on their opening drive in all 3 games this season.

Josh Allen surpassed Patrick Mahomes to become the fastest player in NFL history to reach 300 career offensive TDs, including playoffs.

James Cook had a rush TD for the 7th straight game, tying a Bills record.

Josh Allen now has multiple pass TD in 8 straight home games against Dolphins.

Josh Allen recorded his 200th career touchdown pass, a 15-yard TD to WR Khalil Shakir in the fourth quarter.

14th straight home game forcing a turnover for Bills.

The Buffalo Bills have scored 30+ points in each of the first 3 games for the 2nd straight season (2nd team all-time to do so in 2 straight seasons).
Dalton Kincaid is first Bills TE to have 4+ receptions in first 3 games of a season

Scoring plays

1st Quarter

BUF 0, MIA 7 — O.Gordon up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. R.Patterson extra point is GOOD.

BUF 7, MIA 7 — J.Allen pass short left to D.Kincaid for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. M.Prater extra point is GOOD

2nd Quarter

BUF 14, MIA 7 — J.Allen pass short left to J.Hawes for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. M.Prater extra point is GOOD

BUF 14, MIA 14 — T.Tagovailoa pass short middle to J.Waddle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. R.Patterson extra point is GOOD.

3rd Quarter

BUF 21, MIA 14 — J.Cook up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. M.Prater extra point is GOOD.

4th quarter

BUF 21, MIA 21 — T.Tagovailoa pass short right to T.Hill for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. R.Patterson extra point is GOOD

BUF 28, MIA 21 — J.Allen pass short left to K.Shakir for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. M.Prater extra point is GOOD

BUF 31, MIA 21 — M.Prater 48 yard field goal is GOOD

FINAL

Milestone Watch

Josh Allen is 8-0 against the Dolphins at home in his career.
Bills are 3-0 for the 2^nd consecutive season and 4^th time since 2017 – Sean McDermott's 1^st season as head coach (2024, 2020, 2019).
Bills have won their 13^th consecutive home regular season game.
Sean McDermott is 9-0 in the regular season vs. Miami in Orchard Park.
Bills improved to 10-1 against Miami since 2020.
Josh Allen is 8-0 in his career on Thursday Night Football.