Game story
In Week 16 of the 2003 NFL season on 2003-12-21, the Miami Dolphins took care of business against the Buffalo Bills, pulling away with a 20–3 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 10 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Bledsoe (Buffalo Bills) paced the passing game, with -22.73 total EPA.
On the individual side, M. Campbell (Buffalo Bills) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +3.62 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-79.9% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Buffalo Bills changed the game: End of half - 2:33 pm
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Dolphins | 10 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Buffalo Bills | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 M. Campbell · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +3.62 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.21 EPA/play
- 2 B. Shaw · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +3.59 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
- 3 C. Chambers · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +2.91 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.91 EPA/play
- 4 R. McMichael · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +1.17 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.17 EPA/play
- 5 E. Moulds · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +1.16 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
- 6 J. McKnight · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +0.84 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.84 EPA/play
- 7 J. Fiedler · Miami Dolphins · Rushing · +0.72 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
- 8 T. Henry · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +0.04 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.04 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
M. Campbell — BUF · Receiving
M. Campbell posted the highest total EPA (+3.62) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Buffalo Bills's efficiency. Across 3 counted snaps, they averaged +1.21 EPA per play.
The signature play (-10.01 EPA) came from Buffalo Bills: (8:00) (Shotgun) 11-D.Bledsoe pass intended for 81-B.Shaw INTERCEPTED by 27-T.Buckley at MIA 26. 27-T.Buckley for 74 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Coverage over middle.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Miami Dolphins — C. Chambers (J. Fiedler pass)
- Miami Dolphins — T. Buckley
Field goals
- Miami Dolphins — O. Mare
- Miami Dolphins — O. Mare
- Buffalo Bills — R. Lindell
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 10–0. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the BUF 23 (Q1 56:31) — (11:31) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 84-C.Chambers for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught in rear right corner of end zone.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q1 56:23) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Grau, Holder-1-M.Turk.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the BUF 9 (Q1 46:57) — (1:57) 10-O.Mare 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Grau, Holder-1-M.Turk..
The second quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 3–0. Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the BUF 12 (Q2 38:55) — (8:55) 10-O.Mare 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Grau, Holder-1-M.Turk..
The third quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 7–3. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the MIA 4 (Q3 27:05) — (12:05) 9-R.Lindell 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-B.Moorman.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the MIA 29 (Q3 23:00); Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q3 22:45) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Grau, Holder-1-M.Turk..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Buffalo Bills (Q2) — End of half - 2:33 pm
- Buffalo Bills (Q3 23:00) — (8:00) (Shotgun) 11-D.Bledsoe pass intended for 81-B.Shaw INTERCEPTED by 27-T.Buckley at MIA 26. 27-T.Buckley for 74 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Coverage over middle.
- Buffalo Bills (Q2 42:20) — (12:20) 11-D.Bledsoe sacked at BUF 42 for -7 yards (95-T.Bowens). FUMBLES (95-T.Bowens), touched at BUF 33, RECOVERED by MIA-54-Z.Thomas at BUF 33. 54-Z.Thomas to BUF 33 for no gain (80-E.Moulds). Sac
- Buffalo Bills (Q1 53:09) — (8:09) 20-T.Henry left tackle to 50 for -4 yards (24-S.Knight). FUMBLES (24-S.Knight), touched at BUF 45, RECOVERED by MIA-93-A.Ogunleye at MIA 46. Ball bounced off several players before recovery.
- Buffalo Bills (Q3 28:31) — (13:31) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 84-M.Campbell to MIA 6 for 31 yards (54-Z.Thomas, 31-B.Marion). Caught over middle at MIA 15.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Buffalo Bills (Q3 23:00) — (8:00) (Shotgun) 11-D.Bledsoe pass intended for 81-B.Shaw INTERCEPTED by 27-T.Buckley at MIA 26. 27-T.Buckley for 74 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Coverage over middle.
- Miami Dolphins (Q1 51:04) — (6:04) 1-M.Turk punts 37 yards to BUF 26, Center-47-J.Grau. 22-N.Clements MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by MIA-20-A.Freeman at BUF 24.
- Buffalo Bills (Q2 42:20) — (12:20) 11-D.Bledsoe sacked at BUF 42 for -7 yards (95-T.Bowens). FUMBLES (95-T.Bowens), touched at BUF 33, RECOVERED by MIA-54-Z.Thomas at BUF 33. 54-Z.Thomas to BUF 33 for no gain (80-E.Moulds). Sac
- Buffalo Bills (Q1 53:09) — (8:09) 20-T.Henry left tackle to 50 for -4 yards (24-S.Knight). FUMBLES (24-S.Knight), touched at BUF 45, RECOVERED by MIA-93-A.Ogunleye at MIA 46. Ball bounced off several players before recovery.
Quarterback report card
D.Bledsoe led all passers in efficiency for Buffalo Bills, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- D.Bledsoe (Buffalo Bills) · 32 dropbacks · 37.5% completion · -0.71 EPA/play · -22.73 total EPA
- J.Fiedler (Miami Dolphins) · 23 dropbacks · 34.8% completion · -0.55 EPA/play · -12.67 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Miami Dolphins | Buffalo Bills |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.160 | -0.411 |
| Offensive success rate | 30.9% | 38.6% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.551 | -0.624 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.104 | -0.333 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.411 | +0.160 |
| Defensive success rate | 61.4% | 69.1% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Miami Dolphins generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.16 vs -0.41), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Buffalo Bills: 13 drives, -34.14 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- Miami Dolphins: 13 drives, -12.99 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Miami Dolphins leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- M. Campbell (Buffalo Bills) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q1 56:31 · BUF 23 · Score 6-0
(11:31) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 84-C.Chambers for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught in rear right corner of end zone. - Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q1 56:23 · BUF 2 · Score 7-0
10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Grau, Holder-1-M.Turk. - Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q1 46:57 · BUF 9 · Score 10-0
(1:57) 10-O.Mare 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Grau, Holder-1-M.Turk. - Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q2 38:55 · BUF 12 · Score 13-0
(8:55) 10-O.Mare 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Grau, Holder-1-M.Turk. - Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q3 27:05 · MIA 4 · Score 13-3
(12:05) 9-R.Lindell 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-B.Moorman. - Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q3 23:00 · MIA 29 · Score 19-3
(8:00) (Shotgun) 11-D.Bledsoe pass intended for 81-B.Shaw INTERCEPTED by 27-T.Buckley at MIA 26. 27-T.Buckley for 74 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Coverage over middle. - Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q3 22:45 · BUF 2 · Score 20-3
10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Grau, Holder-1-M.Turk.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills?
The Miami Dolphins beat the Buffalo Bills 20-3 in Week 16, 2003 on 2003-12-21.
What was the final score of Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills?
The final score was Miami Dolphins 20, Buffalo Bills 3 (MIA 20-3 BUF) in Week 16, 2003 on 2003-12-21.
What was the score by quarter in Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills?
Q1: Miami Dolphins 10, Buffalo Bills 0; Q2: Miami Dolphins 3, Buffalo Bills 0; Q3: Miami Dolphins 7, Buffalo Bills 3; Final: Miami Dolphins 20, Buffalo Bills 3.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills?
Miami Dolphins touchdown — C. Chambers (J. Fiedler pass) (Q1 56:31) Miami Dolphins touchdown — T. Buckley (Q3 23:00) Miami Dolphins field goal — O. Mare (Q1 46:57, 3 pts) Miami Dolphins field goal — O. Mare (Q2 38:55, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — R. Lindell (Q3 27:05, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills?
D. Bledsoe (Buffalo Bills), 37.5% completion, -0.71 EPA per dropback, -22.73 total passing EPA. J. Fiedler (Miami Dolphins), 34.8% completion, -0.55 EPA per dropback, -12.67 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills?
M. Campbell (Buffalo Bills) led the game in total EPA with +3.62 on receiving plays. across 3 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-10.01 EPA): (8:00) (Shotgun) 11-D.Bledsoe pass intended for 81-B.Shaw INTERCEPTED by 27-T.Buckley at MIA 26. 27-T.Buckley for 74 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Coverage over middle.. The biggest win-probability swing was -79.9%.
Season records after this game
Miami Dolphins
Entered 8-6 Now 9-6 W
Buffalo Bills
Entered 6-8 Now 6-9 L
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