The Miami Dolphins look like a fish out of water.
Attempting to save their season from the dreaded 0-3 start, Miami made the trek to western New York for a battle against the Buffalo Bills. While the final score was closer than expected, 31-21, Buffalo never really had to sweat.
They came close, however, before Zach Sieler’s roughing the kicker penalty changed everything. The turning point in the contest – it awarded the Bills with a new set of downs when the game was tied.
Regardless, this was a performance that likely cooled the hot seats for Mike McDaniel and Chris Grier in Miami – at least momentarily.
Now the Bills move to 3-0 on the season, despite not looking their best in the young season.
A win is a win though and the Bills will certainly enjoy adding another one in that column. Now both teams head off for the mini-bye before returning to action in Week 4.
Here’s how the action unfolded from Buffalo.
USA TODAY Sports provided live updates, highlights, and more from the Bills-Dolphins ‘Thursday Night Football’ game in Week 3 below.
Bills vs. Dolphins takeaways
- Dolphins’ biggest issue may not be coaching
Everyone loves to blame the coaching staff, but the Dolphins have a roster littered with issues. They lack depth in the trenches and it appears they ignored the defense all offseason. Injuries in the secondary make it almost impossible to win in the modern NFL.
- Bills’ win covers bigger issues under the hood for now
The Bills might be 3-0, but this game wasn’t supposed to be close and it still took a costly penalty to set up the game-winning score. It’s not exactly inspiring after the Jets mostly beat themselves in Week 2 and the Ravens had to blow a 15-point lead with less than five minutes to go. They might still be the favorites, but this defense needs plenty of work if Buffalo wants to be playing in February.
- The Dolphins need more from Tua Tagovailoa to win games
It’s not his fault, but Tagovailoa’s health remains a primary concern whenever he steps on the field. If that weren’t a concern, you would spend the entire game waiting for the back-breaking mistake. Tagovailoa cost his team with an interception late and, to make it even worse, that wasn’t exactly the most surprising outcome.
Bills vs. Dolphins final score: Buffalo 31, Miami 21
Bills-Dolphins score update: Prater seals it
That’ll do it for this one in Buffalo. Tagovailoa’s interception comes back to haunt the Dolphins as Prater knocks through the field goal for a 10-point lead.
Bills 31, Dolphins 21
Tua Tagovailoa tosses interception with three minutes to go
Tagovailoa has been begging to throw an interception with some of these throws tonight. He finally tosses one to the wrong team as Terrel Bernard steps in front to take it away. Miami was on the edge of the red zone, but will now need a stop to get the ball back with three minutes to go.
Bills-Dolphins score update: Buffalo back in front after costly penalty
Miami had Buffalo stopped around midfield, but Zach Sieler was flagged for roughing the kicker, and the Bills got a new set of downs. Khalil Shakir ends up making the Dolphins pay with a 15-yard catch-and-run touchdown a few plays later.
Bills 28, Dolphins 21
Bills-Dolphins score update: Tyreek Hill TD for the tie
The Dolphins won’t go quietly into the night. Instead, they might just win this thing. Miami converted a fourth down to begin the quarter and finished the drive off with a touchdown pass to Hill, who promptly celebrates with a few flips. We’re all knotted up at 21 apiece and it’s setting up for a fun finish.
Bills 21, Dolphins 21
End of the third quarter: Bills lead with 15 minutes to go
The third quarter was fairly uneventful, especially after the Bills scored to begin the half. Both defenses have found their game, but Miami has a crucial third down as we get set to begin the fourth.
Teams trading punts in the third quarter
The scoring has slowed down as both teams have failed to gain any traction on offense after the opening drive TD. Miami has the ball back, trailing by seven.
Who is Ryan Fitzpatrick?
Fitzpatrick currently serves as an analyst for Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” coverage. A former NFL quarterback, Fitzpatrick was well-traveled throughout his career, making stops with the St. Louis Rams, Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins and the then-Washington Football Team. In other words, he saw plenty of the NFL landscape during his 17 seasons.
Bills-Dolphins score update: James Cook puts Buffalo ahead
The Bills are back on top thanks to a Cook rushing touchdown to open the second half. However, the story is that this game is getting chippy, with a few skirmishes between both teams. That’ll be something to monitor in the second half.
Bills 21, Dolphins 14
Josh Allen stats at halftime
- Completions/attempts (%): 11/13 (84.6%)
- Passing yards: 97
- Passing TDs: 2
- INTs: 0
- Rating: 137.3
- Rush attempts: 1
- Rushing yards: 0
Tua Tagovailoa stats at halftime
- Completions/attempts (%): 12/18 (66.7%)
- Passing yards: 66
- Passing TDs: 1
- INTs: 0
- Rating: 91.4
- Rush attempts: 2
- Rushing yards: 10
Dalton Kincaid stats at halftime
- Catches (Targets): 3 (4)
- Receiving yards: 41
- Touchdowns: 1
De’Von Achane stats at halftime
- Rush attempts: 6
- Rushing yards: 35
- Catches (Targets): 5 (7)
- Receiving yards: 10
- Touchdowns: 0
Halftime: All tied up at the break
A silence has fallen over Highmark Stadium heading into the intermission. Miami’s drive to end the half has seemingly shocked everyone associated with the home team as the heavy favorites have work to do in the second half. If Miami’s defense can step up, we’re in for a wild finish.
Bills 14, Dolphins 14
Bills-Dolphins score update: Miami ties it with a Jaylen Waddle TD
Somehow, this game is tied. The Bills have dominated the first half, but that missed field goal from Prater gave the Dolphins some life. They marched 71 yards and cap off the 16-play drive with a touchdown from Waddle to even the score.
Bills 14, Dolphins 14
Matt Prater misses field goal attempt from 39
You thought Buffalo was scoring another touchdown, didn’t you? Yeah, color us surprised as well. Following the first negative play of the game, Prater misses a 39-yard field goal wide left. Very wide left. As in, it never stood a chance.
Dolphins fail to respond again, punt it away
The real Miami Dolphins have joined the program. It’s another three-and-out for McDaniel’s crew and this one had even less action than the last one. The Bills take over at their own 27, looking for a 73-yard touchdown drive to add to the previous two.
Bills-Dolphins score update: Buffalo takes the lead
Aside from one incompletion, the Bills have gained at least one yard on every play. That certainly isn’t a recipe for success for Miami and Buffalo is making it look easy. The rookie, Jackson Hawes, gets in on the action, scoring his first career touchdown to cap off the 63-yard drive.
Bills 14, Dolphins 7
End of first quarter: Buffalo in control despite tied score
The game isn’t over after the first quarter like many expected, but the Bills still haven’t been given a reason to sweat after the first 15 minutes. They are driving for the lead and the Miami defense still hasn’t forced a negative play. It’ll be tough for McDaniel’s team to steal a win if they can’t turn it around soon.
Bills 7, Dolphins 7
Dolphins can’t respond, forced to punt after three-and-out
Miami looked like a different team on their second drive, unable to get anything going. They pick up just seven yards, including two on the ground from Tagovailoa. Many fans were likely holding their breath as the quarterback dove forward to pick up a couple of yards. After the punt, the Bills take over at their own 36.
Bills-Dolphins score update: Dalton Kincaid scores TD
As expected, the Dolphins defense looked like traffic cones on the Bills’ opening drive. It takes just seven plays for Buffalo to drive 70 yards for the score as Kincaid hauls in the 20-yard touchdown to tie things up.
Bills 7, Dolphins 7
Was Tyreek Hill out of bounds?
The Dolphins might’ve scored on their opening drive, but they did appear to benefit from a missed call on third down. Tua Tagovailoa found Tyreek Hill for a first-down reception, but the receiver bobbled the ball. After checking out the replay, it appears Hill only got one foot in bounds. The Bills did not challenge and it ultimately cost them.
Bills-Dolphins score update: Ollie Gordon II’s first career TD puts Miami on top
Well, how about that. No one gave the Dolphins a chance in this game and the Dolphins get the scoring started with a six-minute drive that goes 47 yards before Gordon plunges into the end zone. Buffalo’s defense looked like what we expected from Miami on that opening drive. Not too shabby for Mike McDaniel and company in the early going.
Dolphins 7, Bills 0
What time does Bills vs. Dolphins start?
- Date: Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
What TV channel is Bills vs. Dolphins on today?
- Buffalo market: WKBW
- Miami market: WFOR
National viewers will have to stream the matchup on Amazon Prime Video, the home of ‘TNF.’
Watch ‘Thursday Night Football’ with a Prime Video subscription
Bills vs. Dolphins prediction
This is a prime example of two franchises headed in opposite directions. Buffalo looks like the cream of the crop and is a legitimate Super Bowl contender, while Miami looks like a runaway train. The Dolphins’ offensive line might be bad, but their defense is putrid: The unit allowed 33 points in back-to-back weeks and Buffalo might just double that.
The Bills are running a few impressive streaks: Five straight AFC East titles, 24 games of not losing the turnover battle, and they have won their last eight home matchups vs. Miami. Those streaks will continue tonight.
Buffalo obliterates Miami.
Prediction: Bills 41, Dolphins 13
Bills vs. Dolphins odds, moneyline, over/under
Bills vs. Dolphins injury report
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Bills vs. Dolphins live stream
‘Thursday Night Football’ is only available to National viewers via streaming on Amazon Prime Video, the home of ‘TNF.’
Watch ‘Thursday Night Football’ with a Prime Video subscription
Josh Allen arrives for ‘Thursday Night Football’ vs. Dolphins
The reigning NFL MVP arrives for the Bills’ Week 3 matchup and is wearing the second of nine custom hats designed by patients at Buffalo’s Oishei Children’s Hospital. After each home game, his hat will be auctioned off to support the Patricia Allen Fund.
Dolphins inactives vs. Bills
Bills inactives vs. Dolphins
AFC East standings
- Buffalo Bills (2-0)
- New England Patriots (1-1)
- New York Jets (0-2)
- Miami Dolphins (0-2)
Is Jaylen Waddle playing tonight?
Waddle is active for tonight’s game against the Bills. He had been listed as questionable with a shoulder injury he suffered in the Week 1 loss against the Colts.
He’s expected to have a full workload tonight.
Which NFL team has the most Super Bowl wins?
The Steelers are tied with the New England Patriots for the most Super Bowl wins with six.
Pittsburgh and Dallas have the unique distinction of playing each other more than any other team combination in Super Bowl history with three matchups.
Super Bowl odds
- 1. Buffalo Bills (+500)
- 2. Baltimore Ravens (+550)
- 3. Green Bay Packers (+650)
- 4. Philadelphia Eagles (+700)
- 5. Detroit Lions (+1400)
- 6. Kansas City Chiefs (+1500)
- 7. Los Angeles Chargers (+1600)
- 8. Los Angeles Rams (+1800)
- T9. San Francisco 49ers (+2200)
- T9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+2200)
Josh Allen nose injury
The Buffalo Bills’ quarterback added a visor to his helmet ahead of the team’s practice session on Tuesday. The change comes after Allen suffered an injury to his nose in Week 2’s clash with the New York Jets, when defensive tackle Micheal Clemons’ left hand wacked him in the face as Allen took a sack.
The injury caused Allen to miss about a minute and a half of the first quarter – just two plays. He returned to the game for the start of the second quarter with cotton gauze shoved up his left nostril. – Jack McKessy
2025 NFL MVP odds
- T-1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (+325)
- T-1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (+325)
- T-3. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (+800)
- T-3. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (+800)
- 5. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (+1400)
- T-6. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (+1800)
- T-6. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (+1800)
- 8. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+2000)
- 9. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (+3000)
- 10. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (+3500)
Who are the ‘Thursday Night Football’ announcers for Amazon Prime Video?
Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) will be in the broadcast booth for Prime Video, with Kaylee Hartung (sideline) and Terry McAulay (rules analyst) providing additional coverage.
The Prime Video pregame, halftime and postgame shows feature Charissa Thompson as host, as well as former NFL players Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tony Gonzalez, Richard Sherman and Andrew Whitworth as analysts.
Taylor Rooks is the feature reporter for Prime Video’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ coverage.
How old is Al Michaels?
Michaels, who is once again serving as the play-by-play voice of Amazon Prime’s ‘Thursday Night Football,’ is 80 years old. He will turn 81 in November and has worked on network sports television since 1971.