The Buffalo Bills faced a disappointing defeat against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, falling 30-13 at Hard Rock Stadium. This loss dropped their record to 6-3, putting them in a precarious position in the division race, closely trailing the New England Patriots. Remarkably, this is only the second time in 16 meetings that quarterback Josh Allen has lost to the Dolphins.
The Bills were notably shorthanded, missing key players including defensive backs Christian Benford and Taron Johnson, edge rusher A.J. Epenesa, and linebacker Shaq Thompson. Many speculated that the team may have underestimated the Dolphins, resulting in a costly decision to rest these critical starters.
Throughout the game, Buffalo’s offense struggled dramatically, with their first six drives yielding little more than frustration. They started with a three-and-out, followed by a turnover on downs, and another three-and-out, culminating in a fumble that disrupted a promising drive. This lack of offensive execution is troubling, especially against a Dolphins secondary that was missing several players due to injury.
The rushing attack was also lackluster, with running back James Cook managing just 53 yards on 13 carries. As a team, the Bills failed to hit the critical 100-yard mark for rushing—a first this season. Ty Johnson received a higher snap count than Cook, potentially a sign of Cook’s fumble affecting his playtime.
Wide receivers struggled to create separation, which was particularly disappointing given Miami’s defensive issues. Khalil Shakir led the Bills’ pass catchers in targets and receptions, while tight end Dalton Kincaid was sidelined due to a hamstring injury mid-game. Allen was forced to make plays on his own throughout the match, culminating in an interception aimed at tight end Dawson Knox during a promising drive.
On the defensive side, the absence of Benford and Johnson thrust rookies Cam Lewis and Maxwell Hairston into full-time roles. While Hairston learned a tough lesson by being burnt for a touchdown, he did manage to secure an interception in recent games. Safety Cole Bishop highlighted the defensive effort with a pick of his own, but the unit still struggled at times against Miami’s offense.
With Epenesa out, the Bills’ defensive front showed some vulnerability, and rookie Landon Jackson’s quick injury further complicated matters. Greg Rousseau and Joey Bosa emerged as the top defensive ends, while the depth at the tackle position remains a strong point as Buffalo navigates through the injury challenges.
Despite the disheartening outcomes, there are still opportunities for growth as the Bills look to regroup and address their offensive and defensive inefficiencies in the coming weeks. The return of key players and adjustments in strategy could help the team rebound as they aim to maintain a solid standing in the league.