ORCHARD PARK Since taking over the Miami Dolphins in 2022, Mike McDaniel has been regarded as one of the NFL’s bright, youthful, up-and-coming head coaches.
With more speed than the US 400-meter Olympic relay team and a dangerous and explosive attack based around Tua Tagovailoa, he is a maestro of offensive versatility.
However, it would be a huge understatement to suggest that things haven’t gone well when McDaniel and his Dolphins have faced the Buffalo Bills.
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In order to save their season, the desperate 2-5 Dolphins must defeat the club that has dominated them since Sean McDermott took over as head coach of Buffalo in 2017. This Sunday afternoon at Highmark Stadium puts them in a perilous position.
“We want to be the team that wins the AFC East at the end of the season, and based on history, you have to go through Buffalo to do that,” McDaniel stated on Friday. “I believe I’ve played six games against them here. Two of the six games got out of control, while four of them were one-score contests. What does that signify for us, then? Even if we can draw lessons from past events, they don’t determine who we are because, really, what if we won every game?
“For this game, it makes no difference. It goes without saying that after losing to a team repeatedly, you want to win those games, but our goal is to make those mistakes, learn from them, and play in a way that gives you a chance to win. In any case, if we want to win the game, experience has shown us that we will have to perform at the last second if we want to defeat the Buffalo Bills. All that matters, in my opinion, is that you truly concentrate on taking lessons from the past and applying them to your future rather than living in delusions about it.
Buffalo Bills 30, Miami Dolphins 27 is the final score.
Buffalo has defeated Miami six times in a row and came out on top. With five seconds remaining, Tyler Bass, whose difficulties this season forced Buffalo to add another kicker to the practice squad, made a 61-yard field goal.
The second half included seven consecutive scoring drives and 41 points. Miami was ahead in time of possession (31:53 to 28:07), total yards (373 to 325), and first downs (26 to 24).
Josh Allen gained 235 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception on 25 of 39 throws. For the Bills, Ray Davis caught two passes for 70 yards and a score.
Tua Tagovailoa scored two touchdowns and 231 yards on 25 of 28 plays. For the Dolphins, De’Von Achane made eight receptions for 58 yards and a score and ran for 63 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.
Miami loses to 2-6 while Buffalo gains to 7-2.
The record for Josh Allen versus the Dolphins is 13-2.
Dolphins 27, Bills 30: Tyler Bass converts a field goal from 61 yards out.
An extra point was missed by Tyler Bass. Off the left upright, he didinks in an additional point. He hit a field goal from 61 yards out. In the same game, all of them.
With five seconds remaining, Buffalo made a big go-ahead kick after only driving 27 yards.
It was not a good start to the possession. Josh Allen was thrown incomplete on the subsequent play after being sacked on the previous one. The Dolphins were hindered by two consecutive penalties. On third-and-14, rookie defensive end Chop Robinson was penalized for a neutral zone violation. Josh Allen threw deep for Keon Coleman on third-and-nine. Although it wasn’t finished, safety Jordan Poyer received a warning for being too harsh. Mack Hollins’ consecutive short receptions gave the Bills another first down. Prior to Bass’ field goal, Allen threw incomplete twice after spiking the ball to stop the time.
Dolphins 27, Bills 27: Late in the fourth quarter, Tua Tagovailoa tosses a touchdown to Jaylen Waddle.
Miami tied the game with 11 plays and 81 yards.
After De’Von Achane ran 12 yards to start the drive, Tua Tagovailoa passed to Tyreek Hill for 19 yards to reach midfield. For another first down, Achane took a short pass nine yards. Tagovailoa completed to Jaylen Waddle for 12 yards to convert a third down. Achane’s 18-yard reception brought him to the Bills’ 5-yard line. Jason Sanders added the extra point after Waddle grabbed a 7-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 27-27.
Josh Allen flips a touchdown pass to Quintin Morris as the Bills defeat the Dolphins 27–20.
Josh Allen fired a touchdown pass just before he was shoved to the ground. Allen scored a 2-yard touchdown to Quintin Morris to conclude a 70-yard drive that lasted 10 plays. Before being brought down by defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand, Allen ad-libbed on the play, stepped up in the pocket, and flipped the ball to Morris. On the extra point, Tyler Bass struck the left upright, but it went in.
De’Von Achane’s touchdown run ties the game for Miami as the Bills defeat the Dolphins 20.
The game’s second touchdown was scored by De’Von Achane. The Dolphins had a nine-play, 70-yard scoring drive that culminated with an 8-yard touchdown run by Achane. Tua Tagovailoa scurried for 4 yards, diving headfirst for the first down after Miami went for it on fourth-and-3 from the Bills’ 24-yard line two plays earlier. Sean McDermott, the coach of the Bills, contested the ball’s location, but the play was maintained.
Dolphins 13, Bills 20: Rookie Ray Davis snags a 63-yard touchdown pass
Buffalo’s rookies performed admirably. Ray Davis, a running back, scored a touchdown after a brief 63-yard reception. Davis was unaccounted for as Miami blitzed and switched to man-to-man coverage. For the two-point conversion, Josh Allen found Keon Coleman in the end zone.
Jason Sanders kicks a field goal to put Miami up, Dolphins 13, Bills 12.
Miami grabbed the lead with a field goal but was unable to respond to the Bills’ score. To get to the Bills’ 11-yard line, Tua Tagovailoa threw a 28-yard throw to Tyreek Hill. Jason Sanders converted a 23-yard field goal as Miami faced a fourth-and-goal situation from Buffalo’s 5-yard line.
Josh Allen tosses a touchdown to Mack Hollins on fourth down as the Bills defeat the Dolphins 10–12.
On fourth-and-goal from the one, Buffalo went for it. After faking a play, Josh Allen found Mack Hollins in the left corner of the end zone with a touchdown throw to take the lead. The extra point was missed by Tyler Bass. This season, he has missed three extra points.
The 64-yard touchdown drive came after 11 plays, and the Bills took advantage of a fumble recovery.
Raheem Mostert fumbles in the third quarter at 13:43.
The second half began with Raheem Mostert cutting past Buffalo’s defense. Then he fumbled and lost. At the Bills’ 36-yard line, cornerback Kaiir Elam leaped on the ball after cornerback Taron Johnson batted it free.
The third quarter began with three consecutive touches for Mostert: a 7-yard run, a 15-yard reception, and an 8-yard carry before to the turnover.
Miami has committed seven fumbles in the previous three games, more than any other team in the NFL.
Score at halftime: Buffalo Bills 6, Miami Dolphins 10.
In addition to two field goals and an interception, Buffalo has made three trips into the red zone.
James Cook has 18 running yards on four attempts for the Bills, while Josh Allen has completed 12 of 19 throws for 79 yards and an interception. Raheem Mostert, who has 35 yards on seven attempts, and De’Von Achane, who has 34 yards on six carries, are both averaging at least five yards per carry, while Tua Tagovailoa is 10 of 11 for 82 yards and a score. Jaylen Waddle hasn’t been singled out, and Tyreek Hill had one reception for six yards.
Dolphins 10, Bills 6: Following expensive penalties, Buffalo adds another field goal
The Bills, who are fortunate to just be behind 10–6, had a really bad first half and are eager to get to halftime.
The Bills went 39 yards in 12 plays to Tyler Bass’ 49-yard field goal after the Miami touchdown, but it was a disappointing game. The largest of the Bills’ penalties and missed passes was Josh Allen’s 21-yard touchdown run, which was stopped by a hold on O’Cyrus Torrence.
Both sides of the ball performed poorly, and the Bills must rapidly improve or risk suffering a crushing defeat against a division rival.
Dolphins 10, Bills 3: De’Von Achane receives a touchdown pass from Tua Tagovailoa
The Bills now need to create their own momentum swing, the type that can alter the outcome of a game. They were about to score when Jalen Ramsey intercepted a ball that rookie Keon Coleman had let go through his hands at the 3-yard line.
Evidently motivated, the Dolphins went on to obliterate Buffalo’s defense, gaining 97 yards in 14 plays while using 8:21 of the clock.
Tua Tagovailoa tore up the defense with short passes, including his 14-yard touchdown connection to Achane on a ball over the middle when the Bills defense was nowhere to be seen, Raheem Mostert blasted his way to runs of 15 and 12 yards, and De’Von Achane had a 10-yarder.
Miami games that end on a field goal are Bills 3, Dolphins 3.
Jason Sanders’ 39-yard field goal to tie the score was the Dolphins’ response to Tyler Bass’ field goal.
After a third-and-eleven convert in which Tua Tagovailoa hit Raheem Mostert for a gain of 17 yards, Miami marched 49 yards in nine plays. However, the referees called an outrageous personally foul penalty on the tackler, Taylor Rapp, despite the fact that Mostert dropped his head and laid the bomb on Rapp. That added fifteen more yards, but Rapp got his retribution by stuffing Mostert on a third-and-one play after Miami secured another first down.
Josh Allen is intercepted by Jalen Ramsey in the red zone.
Josh Allen was killed by Jalen Ramsey.
Buffalo had a first-and-10 from the Miami 11-yard line and was moving the ball with ease. Keon Coleman caught Allen’s over-the-middle throw, but the youngster lost possession of it. At the Dolphins’ 3-yard line, Jalen Ramsey produced a fantastic interception after adjusting on the ball.
Allen has now intercepted two passes in the past two games.
Buffalo settles for a field goal as the Bills 3, Dolphins 0
The Bills’ 40-yard field goal from Tyler Bass put them up, but Buffalo was a little let down.
The Bills had a drive start at the Miami 37 thanks to a 29-yard punt return from Brandon Codrington, but they were unable to gain another after Khalil Shakir converted on third down. Emmanuel Ogbah then sacked Josh Allen on third down.
At 10:27 in the first quarter, Miami forfeits a lengthy punt return for a fantastic field position for the Bills.
Miami was given a first down. Tua Tagovailoa connected to Tyreek Hill for six yards after De’Von Achane ran for seven yards. Tagoaviloa was tackled by Greg Rousseau for a 1-yard loss after he was unable to handle the subsequent snap. Tyreek Hill failed to haul in a pass over the middle on third-and-11, and Odell Beckham had a 6-yard grab. Brandon Codrington caught the ball on the run and sprinted up the right sideline for a 29-yard return after Jake Bailey made a weak 37-yard punt.
Buffalo’s first quarter begins at 13:25 with a three-and-out.
Buffalo went three-and-out after getting the ball first. James Cook lost one yard after being struck in the backfield after running four yards. Under pressure, Josh Allen threw incomplete for Keon Coleman on third down. Cam Lewis had a fantastic special teams stop, bringing down Malik Washington for a loss of a yard on the return after Sam Martin punted 49 yards.
Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills inactive list
Both cornerback Christian Benford and wide receiver Amari Cooper, who were rated as doubtful, will not play against the Dolphins, which is concerning news for the Bills. Benford had his injury during practice week and was a limited participant, while Cooper sustained an injury last week in Seattle, but it appeared like both would be ready to participate.
They are joined on the sidelines by safety Mike Edwards, defensive tackle Zion Logue, offensive lineman Will Clapp, linebacker Nicholas Morrow, and fullback/special teamer Reggie Gilliam, who was out Friday due to a hip issue.
Cooper will be replaced in the lineup by wide receiver Curtis Samuel, who missed the Seattle game due to a pectoral muscle injury.
The Dolphins are also without three important defensive players: nickel cornerback Kader Kohou, safety Jevon Holland, and lineman Zach Sieler.
Sal Maiorana forecast: Dolphins 19, Bills 30
Since McDermott joined Buffalo, the Bills have dominated Miami more than any other club. He has a 14-2 record overall versus the Dolphins, and two of his road wins have secured a division title (2023) or a postseason berth (2017). He has never lost against them at Highmark Stadium and is 12-2 with Josh Allen as his quarterback.
That probably won’t alter on Sunday, but Miami will be a desperate club coming into town, aware that a 2–6 loss to the Bills may effectively eliminate any chance of reentering the wild-card chase. The Bills are the superior team, though, and they know that even if they are winning the AFC East right now, they must continue to accumulate victories because postseason seeding is crucial.
Bills vs Dolphins preview stories
When does the Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills game start?
- Date: November 3, Sunday
- Time: 1:00 p.m.
- Location: Highmark Field
Who is the favorite to win the Dolphins vs Bills game?
- Line of betting: Bills -6
- Over-under: 49.5
- The money line is Dolphins plus-220 (bet $100 to win $220) and Bills minus-275 (bet $275 to win $100).
Who is calling the Dolphins vs. Bills game?
- Analysis of the play: Kevin Harlan
- Trent Green is the analyst.
- Melanie Collins is a sideline reporter.
How to view the Bills vs Dolphins game on television
Cable/Network TV: CBS The following stations will broadcast the game locally: WROC channel 8 (Rochester area), WIVB channel 4 (Buffalo area), WTVH channel 5 (Syracuse area), WKTV channel 2 (Utica area), WENY channel 2 (Elmira area), WRGB channel 10 (Albany area), and WBNG channel 12 (Binghamton area).
Online streaming services: NFL.com, the NFL mobile app, and NFL+, the league’s own streaming service, are all places to watch games. However, you can’t watch the games on your TV; instead, you have to watch them on your phone or tablet.
TV streaming: Anyone with a subscription to Spectrum, DirecTV, fuboTV, Sling, Vidgo, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, or Paramount+ can also stream games.
How to listen to the Bills vs Dolphins game on the radio
The Bills Radio Network operates stations throughout the state on conventional radio, and you can tune in on SiriusXM satellite radio on channels 382 (Bills feed) and 227 (Dolphins feed). Sal Capaccio is the sideline reporter, Eric Wood is the commentator, and Chris Brown provides the play-by-play. The network consists of:
- Rochester (WROC 950 AM and WCMF 96.5)
- Buffalo (550 AM, WGR550)
- WTKV 105.5/WTKW 99.5 Syracuse
- Binghamton (100.5 FM WDRE)
- (WIII 99.9/100.3 FM) Ithaca
- (WVIN 98.3 FM) Bath
- (WACK 1420 AM) Newark
- Dansville (FM 93.9 WDNY)
- Elmira (1490 AM WNGZ)
- Auburn (WAUB 1590 AM, 98.1 FM)
- Geneva (WGVA 12:40 AM, 95.9 FM)
Sal Maiorana has authored many books about the Buffalo Bills’ history and has covered the franchise for forty years, including thirty-five years as the D&C’s full-time beat reporter.
