Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - It's another 3-0 start to the season for the Bills, as Buffalo earned a gutsy prime-time victory on "Thursday Night Football" over the Miami Dolphins, 31-21, at Highmark Stadium.
The Bills defense was tested early after a strong kick return from Dee Eskridge to set the Dolphins up just beyond midfield.
Miami's opening drive began with a mix of intermediate and well-balanced pass-run offensive schemes led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and running back De'Von Achane. Once Miami reached the red zone, Ollie Gordon II punched in a two-yard touchdown run on 3rd-and-goal to put the Dolphins on the board first.
Then it was the Bills' turn to go to work offensively on their first drive, led by quarterback Josh Allen and running back James Cook.
The Bills stormed down the field quickly with multiple 10-plus-yard gains on the drive. Buffalo was able to finish the opening drive on a high note, courtesy of a 20-yard strike from Allen to Dalton Kincaid to even the game at 7-7.
After the Bills defense held strong on the following Dolphins possession, Allen and the Buffalo offense looked to take the lead to start the second quarter.
On a drive starting at the Buffalo 37-yard line, the Bills methodically cruised down the field with a very balanced run-pass offense. The Bills took the lead on a five-yard shuffle pass to rookie tight end Jackson Hawes for his first career NFL touchdown.
Following another Miami punt and then an uncharacteristic Matt Prater missed field goal from 39 yards out, the Dolphins executed a methodical 16-play, 71-yard touchdown drive to close out the first half, in which the Bills defense seemingly could not get off the field on third down.
With only eight seconds left in the half, Tagovailoa found wide receiver Jaylen Waddle from three yards out to knot the score up at 14-14 heading in the locker room.
Buffalo's offense really got into a rhythm on their first possession of the second half, as Allen was efficient on third down, despite a couple offensive penalties.
A huge 19-yard reception from Kincaid deep in Dolphins territory successfully set up Cook for a walk-in two-yard go-ahead touchdown just 4:37 into the third quarter.
After exchanging back-and-forth punts in the third quarter, the Dolphins were able to convert a crucial 4th-and-4 to start the fourth quarter deep into Bills territory.
Just a few plays later, Tagovailoa dropped one in the bucket in the end zone to wide receiver Tyreek Hill to, once again, tie the game.
The Bills failed to convert on a 3rd-and-7 around midfield shortly after getting the ball back, but on the ensuing punt, a roughing the kicker penalty on the Dolphins helped keep the drive going for Buffalo.
Buffalo made the costly penalty hurt even more, as deep into Dolphins territory, Allen found wide receiver Khalil Shakir in the flat for 15 yards and the go-ahead touchdown to give the Bills their third lead of the night, 28-21.
As the Dolphins were driving up the field on the following possession, the clock reached just above the three-minute mark and Miami facing a first down at the Buffalo 21-yard line.
However, the Bills were finally able to apply some additional pressure on Tagovailoa, as Deone Walker hurried Tagovailoa and causing a costly interception thrown into the arms of linebacker Terrel Bernard.
In the next six plays of Buffalo's final drive, the Bills were able to put the cherry on top of the game by going 29 yards, which was just enough to put Prater in range to kick a 48-yard field goal to make it a 31-21 game in the waning moments.
Miami was hoping to utilize whatever clock they could in the final seconds, but were unable to find the end zone or close the game, as time expired to finalize a Buffalo win.
----------
SCORING RECAP:
First Quarter:
- 7-0 MIAMI: Dolphins Touchdown (8:31) - Ollie Gordon II rushes up the middle for a 2-yard touchdown. (Riley Patterson's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 10 plays, 47 yards, 6:29
- 7-7 TIE: Bills Touchdown (4:04) - Josh Allen fires a pass to Dalton Kincaid for a 20-yard touchdown. (Matt Prater's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 7 plays, 85 yards, 4:27
Second Quarter:
- 14-7 BUFFALO: Bills Touchdown (11:54) - Josh Allen shuffles a pass to Jackson Hawes for a 5-yard touchdown. (Matt Prater's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 10 plays, 63, 5:30
- 14-14 TIE: Dolphins Touchdown (0:08) - Tua Tagovailoa finds Jaylen Waddle for a 2-yard touchdown pass. (Riley Patterson's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 16 plays, 71 yards, 5:55
Third Quarter:
- 21-14 BUFFALO: Bills Touchdown (10:23) - James Cook rushes up the middle for a 2-yard touchdown run. (Matt Prater's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 8 plays, 61 yards, 4:31
Fourth Quarter:
- 21-21 TIE: Dolphins Touchdown (12:18) - Tua Tagovailoa fires a strike to Tyreek Hill for 5-yard a touchdown. (Riley Patterson's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 9 plays, 67 yards, 5:40
- 28-21 BUFFALO: Bills Touchdown (7:17) - Josh Allen tosses a screen pass to Khalil Shakir, who then proceeds to take off for a touchdown. (Matt Prater's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 9 plays, 65 yards, 5:01
- 31-21 BUFFALO: Bills Field Goal (0:22) - Matt Prater's 48-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 6 plays, 29 yards, 2:38
----------
SKYWORKS EQUIPMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME:
----------
What's next:
The Bills will host the New Orleans Saints next Sunday, Sept. 28 at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. on the official voice of the Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.