Final2025 Week 3

Highmark Stadium (Old), Orchard Park, NY

Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills, Week 3 2025

Miami Dolphins

Away

21

Buffalo Bills

HomeWon

31

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Dolphins770721
Bills7771031

MIA 21BUF 31 Final

  • Passing leader

    Josh Allen

    BUF · QB

    23.0PPR pts

    22/28, 213 YDS, 3 TD

  • Top fantasy scorer

    James Cook III

    BUF · RB

    20.8PPR pts

    19 ATT, 108 YDS, 1 TD, 3 REC, 10 REC YDS

  • Dolphins leader

    De'Von Achane

    MIA · RB

    16.1PPR pts

    12 ATT, 62 YDS, 7 REC, 29 REC YDS

  • Defensive playmaker

    Terrel Bernard

    BUF

    1 INT, 7 TKL

Bills 31, Dolphins 21: Buffalo beats Miami

Buffalo broke a 14–14 halftime tie, outscoring Miami 17–7 after the break to win 31–21. The Bills finished with a 360–276 edge in total offense and averaged 6.3 yards per play.

The Dolphins went 10-for-15 on third down and committed one turnover, while the Bills finished without a giveaway.

The two teams meet again in Week 11 of 2026. If you roster anyone from either side, run the start/sit call in Redraft Command and it will weigh your lineup, your opponent and your league scoring, not only the player rankings.

Key advantages

  • +1.6 yards/play BUF 6.3 · MIA 4.7
  • +1 turnover margin BUF 0 turnovers
  • +84 total yards BUF 360 · MIA 276

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

Got a Dolphin or Bill on your fantasy team?

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Why the Bills Won

Buffalo won the efficiency, turnover, and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Dolphins vs Bills
DolphinsStatBills
4.7Yards per play6.3
1Turnovers0
276Total yards360
Other team stats
59Plays57
67%Third-down conversion55%
28:13Time of possession31:47

Scoring Summary

The Bills scored four touchdowns and one field goal; the Dolphins scored three touchdowns.

Scoring plays, Dolphins vs Bills
TimeTeamPlayMIABUF
1st quarter
8:31MIAOllie Gordon II 2-yard TD run Takes leadRiley Patterson XP70
4:04BUFJosh Allen → Dalton Kincaid, 20-yard TD Ties gameMatt Prater XP77
2nd quarter
11:54BUFJosh Allen → Jackson Hawes, 5-yard TD Takes leadMatt Prater XP714
0:08MIATua Tagovailoa → Jaylen Waddle, 3-yard TD Ties gameRiley Patterson XP1414
3rd quarter
10:23BUFJames Cook 2-yard TD run Takes leadMatt Prater XP1421
4th quarter
12:18MIATua Tagovailoa → Tyreek Hill, 5-yard TD Ties gameRiley Patterson XP2121
7:17BUFJosh Allen → Khalil Shakir, 15-yard TD Game winnerMatt Prater XP2128
0:22BUFMatt Prater 48-yard FG Extends lead2131

Fantasy Points: Dolphins vs Bills, Week 3 2025

Fantasy leaders

  1. Josh AllenBUFQB23.0 PTSQB5
  2. James CookBUFRB20.8 PTSRB8
  3. Dalton KincaidBUFTE17.6 PTSTE4
  4. De'Von AchaneMIARB16.1 PTSRB12

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Josh AllenBUFQB23.0QB522/28213304250134.1Start/Sit →
Tua TagovailoaMIAQB13.8QB1822/3414621210081.3Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
James CookBUFRB20.8RB8RB19108133100
Dalton KincaidBUFTE17.6TE4TE———65661Start/Sit →
De'Von AchaneMIARB16.1RB12RB1262097290
Tyreek HillMIAWR15.9WR18WR———105491
Jaylen WaddleMIAWR14.9WR21WR———65391Start/Sit →
Khalil ShakirBUFWR14.5WR25WR———44451Start/Sit →
Ollie GordonMIARB9.8RB27RB9381————
Jackson HawesBUFTE7.5TE21TE———1151Start/Sit →
Malik WashingtonMIAWR6.2WR60WR220053120Start/Sit →
Elijah MooreBUFWR6.1WR61WR111032300Start/Sit →
Keon ColemanBUFWR5.0WR69WR———43200Start/Sit →
Tyrell ShaversBUFWR4.4WR77WR———22240Start/Sit →
Ty JohnsonBUFRB3.1RB55RB31302180Start/Sit →
Tanner ConnerMIATE2.3TE42TE———21130
Joshua PalmerBUFWR1.5WR113WR———1150Start/Sit →
Julian HillMIATE1.4TE55TE———1140
Ray DavisBUFRB0.0—RB———1000Start/Sit →

Fantasy Usage

Miami Dolphins

Snap Share

  1. Tyreek HillWR53 snaps87%
  2. Jaylen WaddleWR53 snaps87%
  3. De'Von AchaneRB47 snaps77%
  4. Julian HillTE34 snaps56%
  5. Malik WashingtonWR33 snaps54%

Target Share33 targets

  1. Tyreek Hill30%, 10 targets
  2. De'Von Achane27%, 9 targets
  3. Jaylen Waddle18%, 6 targets
  4. Malik Washington15%, 5 targets
  5. Tanner Conner6%, 2 targets
  6. Other3%, 1 targets

Carry Share25 carries

  1. De'Von Achane48%, 12 carries
  2. Ollie Gordon36%, 9 carries
  3. Tua Tagovailoa8%, 2 carries
  4. Malik Washington8%, 2 carries

Buffalo Bills

Snap Share

  1. Keon ColemanWR45 snaps75%
  2. Khalil ShakirWR42 snaps70%
  3. James CookRB40 snaps67%
  4. Dalton KincaidTE33 snaps55%
  5. Dawson KnoxTE32 snaps53%

Target Share27 targets

  1. Dalton Kincaid22%, 6 targets
  2. Khalil Shakir15%, 4 targets
  3. Keon Coleman15%, 4 targets
  4. Elijah Moore11%, 3 targets
  5. James Cook11%, 3 targets
  6. Other26%, 7 targets

Carry Share27 carries

  1. James Cook70%, 19 carries
  2. Josh Allen15%, 4 carries
  3. Ty Johnson11%, 3 carries
  4. Elijah Moore4%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Tyreek HillMIAWR5387%1030%0
Jaylen WaddleMIAWR5387%618%0
De'Von AchaneMIARB4777%927%12
Keon ColemanBUFWR4575%415%0
Khalil ShakirBUFWR4270%415%0
James CookBUFRB4067%311%19
Julian HillMIATE3456%13%0
Dalton KincaidBUFTE3355%622%0
Malik WashingtonMIAWR3354%515%2
Dawson KnoxBUFTE3253%00%0
Joshua PalmerBUFWR2643%14%0
Jackson HawesBUFTE2643%14%0
Tanner ConnerMIATE2643%26%0
Ty JohnsonBUFRB1525%27%3
Nick Westbrook-IkhineMIAWR1525%00%0
Ollie GordonMIARB1525%00%9
Elijah MooreBUFWR1423%311%1
Tyrell ShaversBUFWR1220%27%0
Reggie GilliamBUFRB915%00%0
Ray DavisBUFRB47%14%0
Dee EskridgeMIAWR47%00%0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
De'Von AchaneMIA · RB16.123.1−7.077%48% car—01248%927%
James Cook IIIBUF · RB20.817.4+3.467%70% car—01970%311%
Tyreek HillMIA · WR15.917.0−1.187%30% tgt—000%1030%
Tua TagovailoaMIA · QB13.816.4−2.6100%34 att—3428%00%
Josh AllenBUF · QB23.015.0+8.0100%28 att—28415%00%
Dalton KincaidBUF · TE17.610.2+7.455%22% tgt—000%622%
Jaylen WaddleMIA · WR14.910.2+4.787%18% tgt—000%618%
Malik WashingtonMIA · WR6.29.8−3.654%15% tgt—028%515%
Keon ColemanBUF · WR5.06.8−1.875%15% tgt—000%415%
Khalil ShakirBUF · WR14.56.8+7.770%15% tgt—000%415%
Elijah MooreBUF · WR6.15.8+0.323%11% tgt—014%311%
Ollie Gordon IIMIA · RB9.85.8+4.025%36% car—0936%00%
Ty JohnsonBUF · RB3.15.3−2.225%11% car—0311%27%
Tanner ConnerMIA · TE2.33.4−1.143%6% tgt—000%26%
Tyrell ShaversBUF · WR4.43.4+1.020%7% tgt—000%27%
Jackson HawesBUF · TE7.51.7+5.843%4% tgt—000%14%
Joshua PalmerBUF · WR1.51.7−0.243%4% tgt—000%14%
Julian HillMIA · TE1.41.7−0.356%3% tgt—000%13%
Ray DavisBUF · RB0.01.7−1.77%4% tgt—000%14%

Team totals: Dolphins 33 targets and 25 carries; Bills 27 targets and 27 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2025 season: 1.70 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.65 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Tua Tagovailoa

MIA · QB · 13.8 pts on 16.4 expected

22 of 34 passing for 146 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception; 2 carries for 10 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 16.4 expected.

Start/Sit: Tua Tagovailoa →

Josh Allen Ran hot

BUF · QB · 23.0 pts on 15.0 expected

22 of 28 passing for 213 yards, 3 touchdowns; 4 carries for 25 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 15.0 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Josh Allen →

De'Von Achane Unlucky

MIA · RB · 16.1 pts on 23.1 expected

9 targets (27% of the team's), 7 catches for 29 yards; 12 carries (48% of the team's) for 62 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 23.1 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Trend: Season high in carries (12).

Tyreek Hill Volume, no payoff

MIA · WR · 15.9 pts on 17.0 expected

10 targets (30% of the team's), 5 catches for 49 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 17.0 expected.

Trend: Season high in targets (10).

James Cook III Strong role

BUF · RB · 20.8 pts on 17.4 expected

3 targets (11% of the team's), 3 catches for 10 yards; 19 carries (70% of the team's) for 108 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 17.4 expected.

Dalton Kincaid Ran hot

BUF · TE · 17.6 pts on 10.2 expected

6 targets (22% of the team's), 5 catches for 66 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 10.2 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Dalton Kincaid →

Khalil Shakir Ran hot

BUF · WR · 14.5 pts on 6.8 expected

4 targets (15% of the team's), 4 catches for 45 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 6.8 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Khalil Shakir →

Jackson Hawes Ran hot

BUF · TE · 7.5 pts on 1.7 expected

1 target (4% of the team's), 1 catch for 5 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 1.7 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Jackson Hawes →

Stock Up, Stock Down

Buffalo Bills

  • Stock up: James Cook III played 67% of the snaps, up from a 52% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2025 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Dolphins defense and Bills defense
Points allowed toDolphins DBills D
QBs18.413.6
RBs24.824.4
WRs29.225.9
TEs16.37.5

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Buffalo opened at 50% win probability and passed 98% in the fourth quarter on the way to the win.

Bills win probability

Bills win probability by game minuteBills started at 50%, stood at 50% at halftime and finished at 100%, across 8 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. +23Allen → Hawes, 5-yd TD50% → 73%Q2 11:54
  2. −27Tagovailoa → Waddle, 3-yd TD77% → 50%Q2 0:08
  3. +29Cook 2-yd TD run50% → 79%Q3 10:23
  4. −37Tagovailoa → Hill, 5-yd TD87% → 50%Q4 12:18
  5. +43Allen → Shakir, 15-yd TD50% → 93%Q4 7:17

Swing in Bills win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Dolphins vs Bills
Miami DolphinsMeasureBuffalo Bills
59Plays57
58%Pass rate53%
4.3Yds / dropback6.8
5.2Yds / carry5.8
10/15Third downs6/11

Efficiency edge Buffalo ran 2 fewer plays but gained 2.5 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • MIA Hill 30% · Achane 27% · Waddle 18%
  • BUF Kincaid 22% · Coleman 15% · Shakir 15%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Dolphins vs Bills
ResultMIABUF
Touchdowns34
Field goals01
Punts42
Turnovers10
Missed field goals01

BUF turnover edge: +1

  • The Dolphins opened the scoring on their first possession, a 10-play, 47-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
  • The Bills scored touchdowns on two of their first three drives, then drained the clock with two second-half drives of four to six minutes.
All 18 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
MIAQ1 15:0010476:29Touchdown
BUFQ1 8:317854:27Touchdown
MIAQ1 4:04371:40Punt
BUFQ1 2:2410635:30Touchdown
MIAQ2 11:54311:10Punt
BUFQ2 10:449524:41Missed FG
MIAQ2 6:0316715:55Touchdown
BUFQ2 0:081-20:08End of half
BUFQ3 15:008614:37Touchdown
MIAQ3 10:233-11:39Punt
BUFQ3 8:44372:11Punt
MIAQ3 6:33351:01Punt
BUFQ3 5:326152:34Punt
MIAQ3 2:589675:40Touchdown
BUFQ4 12:189655:01Touchdown
MIAQ4 7:179424:17Interception
BUFQ4 3:006292:38Field goal
MIAQ4 0:223270:22End of game
About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Dolphins vs Bills Head-to-Head

The Dolphins and Bills first met in 1966 and have played 125 times since. They have been AFC East rivals since 1970.

All-time series
63–61–1Dolphins lead, 125 meetings since 1966
Postseason
4–1Split 4–1
Largest Dolphins win
45–71970
Largest Bills win
35–02021

Since 2021

9–2 Bills lead

11 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. B = Bills win, D = Dolphins win, outlined = this game.

2026 Meetings

  • Week 11 Dolphins at Bills Upcoming
  • Week 17 Bills at Dolphins Upcoming

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2025 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Dolphins vs Bills
DolphinsStatBills
7-10Record12-5
20.4Points per game28.3
300.7Yards per game376.3
5.4Yards per play5.9
24.9Points allowed per game21.5
348.8Yards allowed per game293.1

Dolphins vs Bills Fantasy Outlook for 2026

Two meetings are left on the 2026 schedule: Week 11 in Buffalo and Week 17 in Miami. Here's how to decide who to play in your league.

Keep Exploring

2025 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Dolphins vs Bills Game FAQ

Who won the 2025 Dolphins vs Bills Week 3 game?

The Buffalo Bills beat the Miami Dolphins 31–21 in Week 3 of the 2025 season. The game was played at Highmark Stadium (Old) in Orchard Park, NY, on September 18, 2025. See the Bills' 2025 schedule.

What was the final score of Dolphins vs Bills?

The final score was Bills 31, Dolphins 21. The teams were tied 14–14 at halftime, and the second half went Dolphins 7, Bills 17.

What happened in the Dolphins vs Bills game?

Buffalo broke a 14–14 halftime tie, outscoring Miami 17–7 after the break to win 31–21. The Bills finished with a 360–276 edge in total offense and averaged 6.3 yards per play. Josh Allen led all players with 22 of 28 passing for 213 yards and 3 touchdowns, plus 4 carries for 25 rushing yards. The Dolphins committed 1 turnover, the Bills none.

What was the game-winning score in Dolphins vs Bills?

Josh Allen's 15-yard touchdown pass to Khalil Shakir with 7:17 left in the fourth quarter gave the Bills a 28–21 lead they never gave up.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Dolphins vs Bills?

Josh Allen led the game with 23.0 PPR fantasy points, the QB5 of Week 3, on 22 of 28 passing for 213 yards and 3 touchdowns, plus 4 carries for 25 rushing yards. James Cook was next with 20.8 (RB8). See Josh Allen's 2025 game log.

Who led Dolphins vs Bills in passing, rushing and receiving?

Josh Allen (BUF) led all passers with 22 of 28 for 213 yards and 3 touchdowns. James Cook (BUF) led in rushing with 19 carries for 108 yards and a touchdown. Dalton Kincaid (BUF) led in receiving with 5 catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.

How many fantasy points did Josh Allen score against the Dolphins?

Josh Allen scored 23.0 fantasy points against the Dolphins in Week 3 of the 2025 season, the same in PPR, half-PPR and standard scoring because he had no catches, on 22 of 28 passing for 213 yards and 3 touchdowns, plus 4 carries for 25 rushing yards.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Dolphins vs Bills?

Josh Allen outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 23.0 PPR points on 15.0 xFP (+8.0). De'Von Achane fell furthest short, with 16.1 points on 23.1 xFP (−7.0). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

Who had the highest expected fantasy points in Dolphins vs Bills?

De'Von Achane had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 23.1 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 16.1. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the Bills beat the Dolphins?

The Bills beat the Dolphins 31–21 because they averaged 6.3 yards per play to 4.7, won the turnover battle 1–0, and outgained them 360–276. Josh Allen's 15-yard touchdown pass to Khalil Shakir put them ahead for good.

Which team won the turnover battle in Dolphins vs Bills?

The Bills won the turnover battle 1–0: the Dolphins gave the ball away 1 time and the Bills not at all. The Bills won the game.

What was the turning point of Dolphins vs Bills?

Josh Allen's 15-yard touchdown pass to Khalil Shakir with 7:17 left in the fourth quarter was the biggest swing of the game, moving the Bills' win probability from 50% to 93%.

What is the all-time Dolphins vs Bills record?

The Dolphins lead the all-time series 63–61–1 across 125 meetings since 1966, including a 1–4 record in the postseason.

When did the Dolphins and Bills last play before this game?

Before Week 3 of 2025, they last met in the 2024 season on November 3, 2024, when the Bills beat the Dolphins 30–27.

Have the Dolphins and Bills met in the playoffs?

Yes, 5 times, most recently in the 2022 playoffs. The Dolphins are 1–4 against the Bills in the postseason.