Top 3 Things We Learned

Presented by

Top 3 things we learned from Bills vs. Dolphins | Week 10

Nov 09, 2025 at 06:07 PM

Alec White

Content Manager

The Bills (6-3) had their two-game win streak snapped in Miami with a divisional 30-13 loss to the Dolphins (3-7).

Here's what we learned from Buffalo's Week 10 loss.

1 — One of NFL's top offenses grounded in Miami

Sunday served as a drastic reminder that you have to be at your best every week in the NFL in order to win consistently. The Bills were far from their best — especially on offense — in Miami and it resulted in the team's first divisional loss by more than seven points in 40 years.

"We have to be at our best at all times," LT Dion Dawkins said. "Can never let your shield down at all."

The Bills didn't have their sharpest sword — a top five scoring offense — ready for battle, going scoreless through three quarters. It was the first time since the 2019 season opener, Josh Allen's second season, that Buffalo went its first seven possessions without getting points.

"It starts with me, but we didn't execute, I didn't execute," Allen said.

For Allen, it was a struggle to get in rhythm from the opening series. After a Cole Bishop INT on Miami's first possession, the Bills squandered the momentum and immediately went three-and-out. That set the tone for the rest of the afternoon.

"I just feel like early on, (we were) kind of beating ourselves," Allen said.

Buffalo's first half offensive success rate of 29.2% was its lowest in any first half since the 2018 season. The Bills now have two first halves this season with a success rate under 33% (Falcons, Week 6).

McDermott explained that he believes those struggles were primarily due to falling behind the sticks on first and second down. The Bills were successful on just 28.6% of their second down plays in the first half and did not convert a third down. Buffalo was in 3rd and 7 or longer on four third down attempts in the first half and didn't convert once.

"Too many third down and longs, one dimensional type situation," McDermott said.

Per Next Gen Stats, Allen's average time to throw was 3.53 was the longest of his career. Allen often had to buy time in and out of the pocket, extending plays while looking downfield. McDermott attributed that to a lack of rhythm and receivers not getting open.

"There were some times where we weren't open," he said. "But it's never just one thing."

"We've got a great quarterback, and you want to be able to move the ball two dimensionally. We should be able to move the ball with Josh through the air. But it can't just be one phase of your offense."

Related Links

2 — Turnovers come at costly times

Buffalo's offense tied a season-high with three turnovers (Patriots, Week 5), something they didn't do all of last season. Allen was intercepted once and fumbled once, and RB James Cook lost a fumble for the first time since Week 16 of the 2023 season.

"Anytime you turn it over three times, two in the red zone – really you can count that last one, driving kind of going into the red zone – that's a recipe for disaster," Allen said.

Down 16-0, the Bills had a chance to get on the board in the third quarter. Allen guided the Bills on their best drive to that point, going 13 plays, 77 yards to get to the Miami 5-yard line. On third-and-goal, Allen's pass — which appeared to be intended for TE Dawson Knox — was off target and picked off.

The Bills QB explained that the pass was actually intended for WR Tyrell Shavers who was open behind Knox.

"I was trying to get it to (Tyrell) Shavers on a deep in-cut and just wasn't really able to step into it. They brought (cover) zero, and it didn't really allow myself to step into the throw," Allen said.

Allen's second turnover came at another inopportune time.

Buffalo's defense managed to keep the Dolphins off the scoreboard following the INT and the offense responded with a 35-yard TD to Keon Coleman (missed 2-point) two bring it to 16-6 in the fourth quarter.

On 3rd-and-1 from the BUF 41, Allen QB sneaked it, then got additional yardage with a push from the offensive line. While fighting for extra yards, Allen had the ball punched out and Miami recovered.

The Bills have turned the ball over multiple times in all three losses this season.

3 — Explosive plays are one thing, explosive touchdowns are another

Allowing explosive plays has been a flaw of Buffalo's defense throughout the season. At times, those struggles have been mitigated by winning the turnover battle and not letting the explosives lead to TDs — as the team did in wins over Kansas City and Carolina.

But it was a different story in Sunday's defeat and the team lost the turnover battle (3-2) and gave up touchdowns of 38, 59 and 35 yards. It marked the second time this season that Buffalo allowed at least three touchdowns of 25 yards or more (Ravens, Week 1).

"(Miami) got the run game going early and wanted to control the game. I thought then we calmed down a little bit in the second quarter and beyond. And then eight minutes to go… they pop a run, and then pretty much the game was over after that," McDermott said.

McDermott was referring to RB De'Von Achane's 59-yard TD run in the fourth quarter to put the Dolphins up 23-6 with less than seven minutes remaining in the game. The back-breaking score came two plays after Allen's fumble.

"We were just trying to get the ball back. It looked like we had somebody in the hole right there, and he's elusive, (De'Von) Achane. Give him credit," McDermott said.

Through nine games, the Bills have allowed nine touchdowns of 20+ yards after allowing just seven all of last season.