Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills: Match Player Stats

Key Takeaways from Dolphins vs Bills Match Player Stats

• Quarterback efficiency and turnover margin ultimately decided the game, with Josh Allen’s dual-threat production outpacing Miami’s passing output.
• The Bills dominated high-leverage downs, converting more consistently on third down and inside the red zone.
• Explosive plays of 20+ yards shifted momentum, particularly in the second and third quarters.
• Defensive pressure rates and sack totals disrupted offensive rhythm, especially against Miami’s offensive line.
• Advanced metrics such as passer rating, EPA per play, and success rate reflect Buffalo’s stronger situational control.

Full Box Score Overview

Team1Q2Q3Q4QTotalTotal YardsTurnoversMiami Dolphins71037273852Buffalo Bills1014710414121

Buffalo edged Miami in total yards and controlled time of possession in critical stretches. The biggest statistical difference came in turnover margin and red zone execution, where the Bills converted touchdowns instead of settling for field goals.

Quarterback Breakdown

Tua Tagovailoa: Efficiency Under Pressure

• Completions/Attempts: 28/41
• Passing Yards: 310
• Touchdowns: 2
• Interceptions: 1
• Passer Rating: 95.4
• Sacks Taken: 4

Tagovailoa moved the ball effectively in short and intermediate areas, particularly on timing routes to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. However, Buffalo’s defensive front generated consistent pressure, lowering Miami’s expected points added per dropback. On third-and-long situations, Tua completed under 40 percent of attempts, reflecting the Bills’ tight coverage schemes.

Josh Allen: Dual-Threat Dominance

• Completions/Attempts: 25/33
• Passing Yards: 320
• Passing TDs: 3
• Interceptions: 0
• Rushing Yards: 48
• Rushing TDs: 1
• Passer Rating: 123.8

Allen’s efficiency stood out. His adjusted yards per attempt exceeded 9.5, and his total EPA led all players on the field. Buffalo leaned into play-action concepts, exploiting Miami’s linebackers and creating one-on-one opportunities downfield. His red zone mobility forced defensive mismatches, culminating in a pivotal rushing touchdown.

Running Game Comparison

Miami Dolphins Rushing Leaders

• Raheem Mostert: 14 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD
• De'Von Achane: 9 carries, 54 yards

Miami averaged over 4.5 yards per carry but struggled to maintain rushing consistency in the second half. The Bills adjusted their defensive alignment, stacking the box on early downs and forcing Miami into predictable passing situations.

Buffalo Bills Rushing Leaders

• James Cook: 18 carries, 92 yards
• Josh Allen: 8 carries, 48 yards, 1 TD

Cook’s production was instrumental in sustaining drives. Buffalo posted a rushing success rate above 50 percent, keeping the Dolphins’ pass rush from fully teeing off on Allen.

Receiving Corps Performance

PlayerReceptionsYardsTDTyreek Hill (MIA)91321Jaylen Waddle (MIA)7851Stefon Diggs (BUF)81101Gabe Davis (BUF)5781

Hill once again proved why he remains one of the NFL’s most explosive playmakers, accounting for multiple gains of 20 or more yards. However, Buffalo limited yards after catch opportunities with disciplined tackling.Diggs consistently won coverage matchups, particularly on intermediate crossing routes. Buffalo’s receiving unit displayed greater balance, spreading targets across multiple options and preventing Miami from focusing on a single threat.

Defensive Impact and Advanced Metrics

Pressure and Sack Production

• Bills Total Sacks: 4
• Dolphins Total Sacks: 2
• Quarterback Pressure Rate: BUF 32 percent, MIA 21 percent

Buffalo’s pass rush, led by edge defenders collapsing the pocket, forced quicker throws and disrupted Miami’s deep route concepts.

Turnovers and Key Stops

The Bills forced two turnovers, including a momentum-shifting interception in the third quarter. Their red zone defense allowed touchdowns on fewer than 60 percent of Miami trips, compared to Buffalo’s near-perfect conversion rate.

Key Plays That Shifted the Game

• Second Quarter: Josh Allen 35-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs on a play-action rollout.
• Third Quarter: Interception on a tipped pass leading to a short-field Buffalo touchdown.
• Fourth Quarter: Allen’s rushing touchdown extended the lead to two possessions and effectively sealed the game.

Explosive plays accounted for a substantial portion of Buffalo’s scoring. The Bills generated six plays over 20 yards compared to Miami’s four.

Historical Matchup Trends

Buffalo has maintained a statistical edge in recent meetings, particularly in total offense and turnover differential. Over the past five matchups, the Bills have averaged over 30 points per game against Miami. Josh Allen’s individual performance against the Dolphins consistently ranks among his strongest divisional outputs, with elevated passing touchdowns and rushing production.

Tactical Breakdown

Buffalo Offensive Strategy

Buffalo relied heavily on pre-snap motion and play-action to manipulate Miami’s defensive alignments. By establishing early success on the ground, the Bills created advantageous one-on-one coverage scenarios downfield.

Miami Offensive Adjustments

Miami emphasized quick throws and perimeter screens to neutralize Buffalo’s pass rush. While effective between the 20-yard lines, the strategy yielded fewer red zone breakthroughs due to compressed spacing.

Injury Updates and Game Implications

Both teams emerged with minor injury concerns in the secondary, impacting late-game defensive rotations. From a standings perspective, the win solidified Buffalo’s positioning within the AFC East, while Miami faces increased pressure in upcoming divisional matchups.Playoff implications loom large, as head-to-head results often determine tiebreakers in tightly contested division races.

Advanced Analytics Snapshot

• EPA Per Play: BUF +0.18 | MIA +0.05
• Third Down Conversion: BUF 52 percent | MIA 38 percent
• Red Zone TD Rate: BUF 85 percent | MIA 60 percent
• Explosive Play Rate: BUF 14 percent | MIA 10 percent

These metrics illustrate how Buffalo maintained greater situational efficiency and capitalized on pivotal possessions. Miami generated respectable yardage but struggled to match the Bills’ consistency in high-impact scenarios.

Frequently Asked Questions about Dolphins vs Bills Player Stats

What were the most important stats that decided the Dolphins vs Bills game?

The game turned on quarterback efficiency, turnover margin, and red zone performance. Buffalo was better at protecting the ball, finishing drives with touchdowns, and winning key third-down plays.

How did Josh Allen’s stats compare to Tua Tagovailoa’s?

You saw both quarterbacks throw for over 300 yards, but Allen had 3 passing touchdowns, 1 rushing touchdown, no interceptions, and a higher passer rating. Tua was efficient but took more sacks and had 1 interception, which hurt Miami in key spots.

Why did Buffalo win even though the total yards were close?

You can see that Buffalo turned yards into points more often. The Bills won the turnover battle, converted more third downs, and had a higher red zone touchdown rate, which created the scoring gap despite similar yardage.

How big was the impact of explosive plays in this matchup?

Explosive plays were a major factor. Buffalo produced more plays of 20+ yards, including a 35-yard touchdown to Stefon Diggs, which boosted their EPA per play and swung momentum in the middle quarters.

What do the advanced metrics say about the Bills’ performance?

Advanced stats like EPA per play, success rate, third-down rate, and red zone touchdown rate all favor Buffalo. These metrics show that the Bills were more efficient on high-leverage downs and managed game situations better than Miami.