Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins Match Player Stats
The Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins match player stats from September 18, 2025 tell a much more detailed story than the final score alone. Buffalo defeated Miami 31-21 at Highmark Stadium, improving to 3-0 while the Dolphins fell to 0-3. The game was tied 14-14 at halftime before Buffalo created separation in the second half. NFL official game summary and box score
For anyone studying the Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins match player stats, the most important numbers are not limited to touchdowns and passing yards. Josh Allen produced 213 passing yards and three touchdown passes while completing 22 of 28 attempts. James Cook added 108 rushing yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. On Miami’s side, Tua Tagovailoa completed 22 of 34 passes for 146 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
The individual numbers also reveal how the game developed. Buffalo generated 157 rushing yards compared with Miami’s 130, averaged 5.8 yards per carry as a team, and received productive contributions from several pass catchers. Miami, meanwhile, got touchdowns from Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle and a rushing touchdown from Ollie Gordon II, but Buffalo’s defensive turnover late in the game helped protect the lead.
Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins Match Player Stats at a Glance
The game took place on September 18, 2025, in Orchard Park, New York.
| Category | Miami Dolphins | Buffalo Bills |
| Final Score | 21 | 31 |
| Record after game | 0-3 | 3-0 |
| Passing | 146 yards | 213 yards |
| Passing TDs | 2 | 3 |
| Interceptions thrown | 1 | 0 |
| Rushing | 130 yards | 157 yards |
| Rushing TDs | 1 | 1 |
| Receptions | 22 | 22 |
| Receiving yards | 146 | 213 |
| Receiving TDs | 2 | 3 |
| Team sacks | 2 | 0 |
| Defensive interceptions | 0 | 1 |
The basic statistical picture is straightforward. Buffalo produced more total offensive yardage through the passing game and on the ground, while Miami stayed competitive through efficient stretches and explosive individual plays.
The first half ended 14-14. Miami opened the scoring through Ollie Gordon II, while Buffalo answered with Dalton Kincaid. Buffalo then moved ahead on a touchdown reception by Jackson Hawes before Miami tied the game shortly before halftime on a Jaylen Waddle touchdown.
That balance changed after halftime.
Josh Allen’s Passing Performance
Josh Allen was one of the central figures in the Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins match player stats.
He completed 22 of 28 attempts for 213 yards, producing an impressive 78.6 completion percentage. He averaged 7.6 yards per attempt and threw three touchdown passes without an interception.
His reported passer rating was 134.1, while his QBR was 66.6.
| Josh Allen passing | Stat |
| Completions | 22 |
| Attempts | 28 |
| Completion rate | 78.6% |
| Passing yards | 213 |
| Yards per attempt | 7.6 |
| Touchdowns | 3 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Sacks | 2 |
| Sack yards | 10 |
| Passer rating | 134.1 |
| QBR | 66.6 |
The efficiency stands out immediately. Allen did not need a huge volume of attempts to produce 213 yards. His 22 completions generated multiple scoring opportunities, and Buffalo’s passing production was distributed among several players.
His three touchdown passes also came in different situations. Dalton Kincaid scored on a 20-yard reception, Jackson Hawes scored from five yards out, and another touchdown went to a Buffalo receiver during the second half.
Allen did lose 10 yards on two sacks, but those plays did not result in turnovers. He also recorded one fumble that Buffalo recovered.
Why Allen’s efficiency mattered
One useful way to interpret these numbers is to compare completion percentage with yards per attempt.
Allen completed nearly four out of every five attempts while averaging 7.6 yards per attempt. That combination indicates that Buffalo was not simply relying on short completions to move the ball.
The Bills were able to maintain efficiency while creating meaningful gains downfield.
That becomes particularly important against Miami because the Dolphins have several defensive players capable of creating pressure and disrupting rhythm. Buffalo’s ability to maintain efficient passing while also running effectively prevented Miami from relying entirely on one defensive approach.
James Cook Controlled the Ground Game
James Cook was another major component of the Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins match player stats.
Cook carried the ball 19 times for 108 yards and a touchdown. His 5.7 yards per carry average showed that Buffalo’s rushing attack was consistently productive rather than dependent on one isolated run.
| James Cook rushing | Stat |
| Carries | 19 |
| Rushing yards | 108 |
| Average | 5.7 |
| Longest run | 26 yards |
| Rushing TD | 1 |
| Receptions | 3 |
| Receiving yards | 10 |
Cook’s 26-yard longest run was especially important because it demonstrated Buffalo’s ability to create explosive plays on the ground.
He also contributed three receptions for 10 yards, giving him involvement in both phases of the offense.
The 19 carries were also significant from a game-management perspective. Buffalo did not ask Allen to carry the entire offensive workload. Cook’s production allowed the Bills to maintain a credible rushing threat throughout the game.
Buffalo’s Team Rushing Numbers
Buffalo finished with 27 rushing attempts for 157 yards, averaging 5.8 yards per carry.
That total was higher than Miami’s 130 rushing yards despite the Dolphins also averaging more than five yards per attempt.
Other Buffalo rushing contributors included:
- Josh Allen: 4 carries, 25 yards
- Ty Johnson: 3 carries, 13 yards
- Elijah Moore: 1 carry, 11 yards
- James Cook III: 19 carries, 108 yards
The 157-yard total gave Buffalo another way to control possessions.
Allen’s 25 rushing yards were also useful because quarterback mobility can change how defenses account for red-zone and short-yardage situations.
Elijah Moore’s 11-yard run on one attempt was another example of Buffalo getting value from limited opportunities.
Tua Tagovailoa’s Passing Numbers
Tua Tagovailoa completed 22 of 34 passes for 146 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
| Tua Tagovailoa passing | Stat |
| Completions | 22 |
| Attempts | 34 |
| Completion rate | 64.7% |
| Passing yards | 146 |
| Yards per attempt | 4.3 |
| Touchdowns | 2 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Sacks | 0 |
| QBR | 73.1 |
| Passer rating | 81.2 |
The most notable difference between the two quarterbacks was efficiency per attempt.
Tagovailoa completed 22 passes, the same number as Allen, but his 34 attempts produced only 146 yards. His 4.3 yards per attempt were considerably lower than Allen’s 7.6.
That does not mean every Miami passing play was ineffective. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle each scored touchdowns, and Miami moved the ball effectively on several drives. However, the overall passing profile shows that Buffalo limited Miami’s ability to turn completions into large chunks of yardage.
Tagovailoa was not sacked in the game, which is an important detail. Miami’s offensive line protected him well enough to prevent Buffalo from recording a sack, but Buffalo still generated a major defensive impact through coverage and its late interception.
Miami’s Running Game
Miami finished with 25 rushing attempts for 130 yards, an average of 5.2 yards per carry.
De’Von Achane led the Dolphins in rushing attempts and yardage.
| Miami rusher | Carries | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
| De’Von Achane | 12 | 62 | 5.2 | 0 | 14 |
| Ollie Gordon II | 9 | 38 | 4.2 | 1 | 16 |
| Malik Washington | 2 | 20 | 10.0 | 0 | 14 |
| Tua Tagovailoa | 2 | 10 | 5.0 | 0 | 8 |
Achane’s 62 rushing yards were useful, but Miami needed more sustained production from its passing attack to match Buffalo’s overall offensive output.
Gordon provided a critical scoring contribution with his two-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
Malik Washington had only two carries but averaged 10 yards per attempt. Those numbers demonstrate why a basic box score can sometimes hide useful context. His rushing volume was small, but his limited opportunities were productive.
De’Von Achane’s Receiving Role
Achane also caught seven passes for 29 yards.
That gave him 91 total yards from scrimmage.
His receiving line was:
- 7 receptions
- 9 targets
- 29 receiving yards
- 4.1 yards per reception
- 15-yard longest reception
- 0 receiving touchdowns
The nine targets show that Miami looked toward Achane as both a runner and receiving option.
However, his receiving average remained modest. Buffalo was able to limit the amount of space Achane gained after catches, keeping many of his receptions relatively short.
That was important because Miami’s offense often benefits when its speed players turn short throws into larger gains.
Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle Produced Touchdowns
Miami’s two most recognizable receiving weapons both scored.
Tyreek Hill caught five passes for 49 yards and one touchdown on 10 targets.
Jaylen Waddle caught five passes for 39 yards and one touchdown on six targets.
| Receiver | Rec. | Yards | Avg. | TD | Targets |
| Tyreek Hill | 5 | 49 | 9.8 | 1 | 10 |
| Jaylen Waddle | 5 | 39 | 7.8 | 1 | 6 |
| De’Von Achane | 7 | 29 | 4.1 | 0 | 9 |
| Tanner Conner | 1 | 13 | 13.0 | 0 | 1 |
| Malik Washington | 3 | 12 | 4.0 | 0 | 5 |
| Julian Hill | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 0 | 1 |
Hill received the highest target volume with 10 targets.
Waddle was particularly efficient in the scoring area, turning five receptions into a touchdown and contributing to Miami’s second-quarter scoring drive.
Yet neither receiver reached 50 receiving yards. That is an important part of understanding the overall offensive result.
Miami found the end zone through its star receivers, but Buffalo prevented those explosive passing threats from producing the larger yardage totals that can quickly change a game.
Buffalo’s Receiving Production Was More Distributed
Buffalo’s passing attack produced 213 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
Dalton Kincaid led the team with 66 yards.
| Buffalo receiver | Receptions | Yards | Average | TD | Targets |
| Dalton Kincaid | 5 | 66 | 13.2 | 1 | 6 |
| Khalil Shakir | 4 | 45 | 11.3 | 1 | 4 |
| Elijah Moore | 2 | 30 | 15.0 | 0 | 3 |
| Tyrell Shavers | 2 | 24 | 12.0 | 0 | 2 |
| Keon Coleman | 3 | 20 | 6.7 | 0 | 4 |
| James Cook III | 3 | 10 | 3.3 | 0 | 3 |
| Ty Johnson | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 0 | 2 |
| Jackson Hawes | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 1 | 1 |
| Joshua Palmer | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 0 | 1 |
Kincaid’s 66 yards were the team’s highest receiving total.
His 13.2 yards per reception also show that Buffalo was generating meaningful gains from the middle and intermediate areas of the passing game.
Khalil Shakir added 45 yards and a touchdown on four catches. His four targets resulted in four receptions, giving Buffalo another efficient option.
Elijah Moore averaged 15 yards per reception, while Tyrell Shavers averaged 12 yards on two catches.
The distribution matters because it made Buffalo’s offense less dependent on one receiver.
Dalton Kincaid Made an Early Impact
Kincaid caught five passes for 66 yards and scored a touchdown.
His 20-yard touchdown was Buffalo’s first touchdown of the game.
That score came during a seven-play, 85-yard drive and immediately answered Miami’s opening touchdown.
Kincaid’s performance was valuable for another reason. His production came without excessive target volume. He received six targets and caught five.
A 5-for-66 performance gave Allen a reliable option who could create yardage without requiring Buffalo to repeatedly force the ball into one matchup.
Defensive Player Stats
Offensive numbers explain much of the scoring, but the defensive statistics show why Buffalo eventually created separation.
Miami recorded 58 total tackles, 44 solo tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss, three passes defended, and two quarterback hits.
Buffalo recorded 60 total tackles, 40 solo tackles, five tackles for loss, three passes defended, one quarterback hit, and one interception.
Miami defensive leaders
Tyrel Dodson led Miami with 11 tackles.
He also recorded:
- 11 solo tackles
- 1 sack
- 1 tackle for loss
- 1 pass defended
- 1 quarterback hit
Bradley Chubb added three tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, one pass defended, and one quarterback hit.
The two Miami sacks came from Dodson and Chubb.
Miami’s defensive production was therefore not absent. The Dolphins generated pressure and made 58 tackles, but Buffalo’s offensive efficiency allowed the Bills to continue producing points.
Buffalo defensive leaders
Taron Johnson led Buffalo with eight tackles.
Terrel Bernard recorded seven tackles and also produced the game’s most important defensive play.
Other Buffalo leaders included:
- Shaq Thompson: 6 tackles
- Dorian Williams: 6 tackles
- Tre’Davious White: 5 tackles
- Cole Bishop: 5 tackles
- Christian Benford: 4 tackles
- Taylor Rapp: 3 tackles
The Bills recorded five tackles for loss and three passes defended.
Most importantly, Bernard intercepted Tagovailoa late in the game.
Terrel Bernard’s Interception Changed the Late Game
The defensive turning point came when Terrel Bernard intercepted Tagovailoa.
The Dolphins were attempting to make a late push, and the turnover stopped a potential scoring opportunity.
The interception was particularly important because Miami had already scored 21 points and remained within reach of Buffalo.
The play was not simply another statistic in the box score. It affected possession, field position, and Miami’s opportunity to reduce the deficit.
That is why the Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins match player stats should be read alongside the game’s scoring sequence rather than as an isolated collection of numbers.
Bernard finished with seven tackles, five solo tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass defended, and the interception.
Turnovers and Ball Security
Turnovers were limited overall.
Miami recorded one fumble by Tagovailoa, but the Dolphins recovered it.
Buffalo recorded fumbles by Allen and Brandon Codrington, but both were recovered by Buffalo.
The key difference was the interception.
Miami had no interceptions.
Buffalo had one interception.
That gave Buffalo the only takeaway that directly changed possession without being recovered by the same team.
In a 10-point game, one late defensive turnover can have a major effect on how the final score develops.
Special Teams Numbers
Special teams also contributed to the overall statistical picture.
Miami’s kick-return unit recorded:
- Dee Eskridge: 3 returns for 104 yards
- Malik Washington: 2 returns for 48 yards
- Team total: 5 returns for 152 yards
Buffalo’s Brandon Codrington recorded three kick returns for 95 yards.
Miami also had 22 punt-return yards from Malik Washington, while Codrington recorded 15 punt-return yards for Buffalo.
Kicking
Riley Patterson went 3-for-3 on extra points for Miami.
Matt Prater converted all four of his extra-point attempts and made one of two field-goal attempts, with a long of 48 yards.
The kicking totals were not the primary factor in the result because Buffalo scored four touchdowns and Miami scored three.
How the Game Changed After Halftime
The first half was highly competitive.
Both teams scored 14 points, and the time of possession was also relatively close. Miami held the ball for 15:14 in the first half compared with 14:46 for Buffalo.
The difference came from Buffalo’s ability to maintain offensive efficiency after halftime.
Buffalo’s 31 points ultimately came from:
- Three passing touchdowns
- One rushing touchdown
- Four successful extra points
- One successful field goal
Miami’s 21 points came from:
- Two passing touchdowns
- One rushing touchdown
- Three successful extra points
The scoring distribution illustrates a central difference between the teams. Buffalo scored four touchdowns, while Miami scored three.
That one-touchdown difference combined with Buffalo’s successful field goal produced the final 31-21 margin.
What the Numbers Say About Offensive Efficiency
The most useful comparison is not simply total yards.
Consider the passing numbers:
Buffalo: 213 passing yards on 28 attempts.
Miami: 146 passing yards on 34 attempts.
Buffalo therefore produced more yards with fewer attempts.
The same pattern appears in rushing:
Buffalo: 157 yards on 27 attempts.
Miami: 130 yards on 25 attempts.
Both teams averaged more than five yards per carry, but Buffalo generated 27 more rushing yards.
This combination gave Buffalo an advantage in both major offensive areas.
The Bills did not have to choose between running efficiently and throwing effectively. They produced strong numbers in both phases.
What Miami Did Well
The final score should not obscure Miami’s positive performances.
The Dolphins:
- Scored 21 points against an undefeated Buffalo team entering the game
- Produced 130 rushing yards
- Averaged 5.2 yards per carry
- Scored two passing touchdowns
- Scored one rushing touchdown
- Received touchdowns from both Hill and Waddle
- Recorded two sacks
- Produced 58 tackles
- Returned five kickoffs for 152 yards
Miami’s special teams also created useful field position through strong kick returns.
The offense showed that it could still generate scoring plays even when the passing yardage remained modest.
The main issue visible in the numbers was sustaining enough production across the entire game.
What Buffalo Did Well
Buffalo’s statistical advantages were broader.
The Bills:
- Scored 31 points
- Passed for 213 yards
- Rushed for 157 yards
- Averaged 7.6 yards per pass attempt
- Averaged 5.8 yards per rush
- Threw three touchdown passes
- Avoided interceptions
- Produced one defensive interception
- Recorded 60 total tackles
- Produced five tackles for loss
The balance is particularly important.
Allen’s passing efficiency combined with Cook’s rushing performance prevented Miami from focusing entirely on one dimension.
Buffalo also received contributions from multiple receivers, which reduced the pressure on any single player to produce the majority of the offense.
The Most Important Player Stats to Remember
For readers who want the shortest possible summary of the game, these are the numbers that provide the clearest picture.
Josh Allen
22 completions on 28 attempts, 213 passing yards, three touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a 134.1 passer rating.
James Cook
19 carries, 108 rushing yards, 5.7 yards per carry, and one rushing touchdown.
Dalton Kincaid
Five receptions, 66 yards, and one touchdown.
Tua Tagovailoa
22 completions on 34 attempts, 146 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
De’Von Achane
12 rushing attempts for 62 yards plus seven receptions for 29 yards.
Tyreek Hill
Five receptions for 49 yards and one touchdown on 10 targets.
Jaylen Waddle
Five receptions for 39 yards and one touchdown on six targets.
Terrel Bernard
Seven tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass defended, and one interception.
Tyrel Dodson
11 tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, one pass defended, and one quarterback hit.
Why the Box Score Tells a Deeper Story
A box score can make the game look simple: Buffalo scored 31, Miami scored 21.
The deeper numbers show why.
Buffalo’s offense was more efficient through the air, more productive on the ground, and more successful at turning possessions into touchdowns.
Miami’s offense still produced three touchdowns, but its 146 passing yards came from 34 attempts. That made it harder to sustain explosive drives.
The Bills also finished with 213 receiving yards from 22 receptions, while Miami had 146 receiving yards from the same number of receptions.
That 67-yard difference in receiving production is one of the clearest statistical indicators of the game.
A Practical Way to Analyze These Player Stats
When reviewing an NFL game, it is useful to move through the statistics in layers.
First, check the final score.
Second, compare passing efficiency.
Third, compare rushing production.
Fourth, examine touchdowns and turnovers.
Fifth, look at individual player usage.
Finally, review defensive and special-teams contributions.
Using that process with this matchup produces a coherent picture.
Allen was highly efficient.
Cook provided a productive rushing foundation.
Buffalo’s receivers collectively produced 213 yards.
Miami received touchdowns from its two premier wide receivers but generated only 146 passing yards.
Bernard’s interception became an important late defensive event.
Together, these factors explain the 31-21 result more clearly than any single statistic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Bills vs Dolphins game on September 18, 2025?
The Buffalo Bills defeated the Miami Dolphins 31-21 at Highmark Stadium.
How many passing yards did Josh Allen have against Miami?
Josh Allen completed 22 of 28 passes for 213 yards, with three touchdown passes and no interceptions.
How many rushing yards did James Cook have?
James Cook rushed 19 times for 108 yards and one touchdown. He averaged 5.7 yards per carry.
How did Tua Tagovailoa perform against Buffalo?
Tagovailoa completed 22 of 34 passes for 146 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He was not sacked.
Who led Miami in rushing?
De’Von Achane led Miami with 12 carries for 62 yards. Ollie Gordon II added 38 yards and scored a rushing touchdown.
Who recorded Buffalo’s interception?
Terrel Bernard intercepted Tua Tagovailoa and finished with seven tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass defended.
Conclusion
The Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins match player stats from September 18, 2025 show why Buffalo finished with a 31-21 victory.
Josh Allen delivered an efficient passing performance with 213 yards and three touchdowns. James Cook added 108 rushing yards and a touchdown, giving Buffalo a strong ground presence. Dalton Kincaid led the Bills in receiving with 66 yards and a touchdown, while several other receivers contributed meaningful yardage.
Miami had productive moments of its own. De’Von Achane produced 62 rushing yards and 29 receiving yards, while Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle both scored receiving touchdowns. Ollie Gordon II added a rushing touchdown, and Miami’s defense recorded two sacks.
The biggest statistical differences were efficiency and total production. Buffalo generated 213 passing yards and 157 rushing yards, while Miami finished with 146 passing yards and 130 rushing yards. Buffalo also avoided an interception while creating one through Terrel Bernard.
The numbers therefore show a game that was competitive for much of the night but ultimately separated through Buffalo’s balanced offense, efficient quarterback play, productive rushing attack, and timely defensive turnover.
