Buffalo Rumblings
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.
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.
