The Buffalo Bills held off the Miami Dolphins 31-21 on Thursday Night Football as reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen delivered a vintage performance to guide the Bills to their eighth straight win against the Dolphins.
Today’s edition of the Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by offering up lessons and observations about the Bills following a closer-than-expected win against a floundering Dolphins team.
Lasting impressions from win vs. Miami
Quarterback Josh Allen was on his game on Thursday night, completing 22 of 28 passes for 213 yards with three
touchdowns and zero turnovers lost as the Bills (3-0) remained undefeated and scored at least 30 points in their first three games of the 2025 NFL season.
But there is much work still to be done if the Bills want to be in a position to hoist the Lombardi Trophy later this February in San Francisco, CA. While the defense was great on first- and second-down scenarios, third downs were a problem as Buffalo allowed Miami to average seven yards per play in converting 10 of 15 third-down scenarios, including five straight on a touchdown to end the second quarter. It’s an issue head coach Sean McDermott and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich know they need to shore up.
What are some of the other lasting impressions from this primetime win? Running back James Cook continues to prove he’s one of the best backs in the league, as his patient running style netted 108 yards and a TD on 19 carries, an impressive 5.7 yards per run. Aside from Allen, Cook was clearly Buffalo’s best offensive player and perhaps the Bills would be wise to rely more on Cook in the weeks to come.
The Joey Bosa experience has worked out well through three games, but with Bosa lining up for 87% of plays against Miami, McDermott and the Bills should consider limiting Bosa’s snaps to keep him fresh for the whole season; tight end Dalton Kincaid seems on pace for a nice bounce-back season as he continues to thrive as one of Allen’s best weapons; Buffalo’s pass rush failed to register a sack and too often gave Tua Tagovailoa too much time to find a target; and cornerbacks Christian Benford and Tre’Davious White struggled to contain wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
- A Josh Allen classic but plenty to work on: What I saw in Bills win over Dolphins – The Athletic (subscription required)
- Stock up/stock down: Josh Allen didn’t need to be Superman to defeat the Dolphins, and that’s exactly what the Bills want – newyorkupstate.com
- Bills’ Joe Brady aims to frustrate opponents; Bobby Babich reviews third-down defense – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Sean McDermott: Third-down defense a point of emphasis for Bills following Miami game – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Bills’ defense under construction but blueprint is promising – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Bills vow to fix awful third-down defense: ‘It’s a little demoralizing’ – The Athletic (subscription required)
- Carucci Take2: Bills’ 3-0 start looks good in the present, but what does it say about the future? – WGRZ
- OPINION: Arrow Up/Arrow Down: Dolphins at Bills – WGR 550
- Upon Further Review: James Cook proving to be one of NFL’s elite running backs – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- James Cook suddenly transforming into three-down Buffalo Bills’ workhorse – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Top 3 things we learned from Bills vs. Dolphins | Week 3 TNF – BuffaloBills.com
- 6 things we learned from Bills’ Week 3 win over feisty Dolphins in Week 3 – Democrat & Chronicle
- Bills have work to do in lowering Joey Bosa’s snap count – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Bills ‘gotta be really cognizant of’ Joey Bosa playing too much too soon – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- After the 3-0 start, here are the Bills who have impressed and those who have not – Democrat & Chronicle
- The unsung Bills player who quietly earned top-5 PFF grades on offense and special teams against Dolphins – newyorkupstate.com
- 3 questions for the Buffalo Bills after they hold off the Miami Dolphins – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- How a Buffalo Bills LB’s film study session turned into the most important play of Thursday Night Football – newyorkupstate.com
- Further Review podcast: The Bills are undefeated but there’s plenty to work on – Buffalo News (subscription required)
Even more Bills news
Discover how veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson contributed a key play in his return to the lineup; how rookie defensive tackle Deone Walker is making strides three games into his NFL career; hear which member of the defense head coach Sean McDermott feels needs to up his contributions in “every area;” and more!
- Bills Notebook: Shaq Thompson makes a thunderous return to lineup vs. Dolphins – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- LB Matt Milano not placed on IR, RB James Cook nears Bills history and DT Deone Walker’s improvement – BuffaloBills.com
- Fellow rookie’s encouragement powers Deone Walker’s clutch moment in Bills’ win – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Sean McDermott suggests Bills “are gonna need” more from $80 million defensive end – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Bills’ third-round rookie DE still waits while later picks make most of playing time – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Former player or fan? As Fitz says goodbye to the stadium, the lines have ‘blurred’ – Buffalo News (subscription required)
