Dolphins 21–31 Bills: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 3, 2025

Q: How did the quarterbacks play in Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills?

T. Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins), 59.5% completion, -1.7% CPOE, +0.02 EPA per dropback, +0.60 total passing EPA. J. Allen (Buffalo Bills), 64.7% completion, +7.7% CPOE, +0.37 EPA per dropback, +12.46 total passing EPA.

Q: Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills?

J. Allen (Buffalo Bills) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +12.46 total EPA on Passing plays. across 34 snaps. Their top snap (+2.69 EPA): (4:11) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 86-D.Kincaid for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Quick answer

Winner: Buffalo Bills
Final score: Buffalo Bills 31–21 Miami Dolphins
Halftime: Miami Dolphins 14–20 Buffalo Bills at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Jonathan Allen
Top passer: Tua Tagovailoa
Biggest EPA play: (3:06) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short right intended for 17-J.Waddle INTERCEPTED by 8…
Game date: 2025-09-18

Game summary

The Buffalo Bills beat the Miami Dolphins 31–21 on 2025-09-18. Jonathan Allen posted a game-high +12.46 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 20 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
Miami Dolphins	7	7	0	7	0	21
Buffalo Bills	7	13	7	13	0	31

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

MIAMiami Dolphins

MIA 20

MIA 5

MIA 2

+3MIA 30

+3BUF 35

BUFBuffalo Bills

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

16 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

MIAMiami Dolphins
Q1 8:34TD
Ollie Gordon II
Points+6
Yard line
BUF 2
Score
6-0
(8:34) 31-O.Gordon up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q1 8:31XP
Riley Patterson
Points+1
Yard line
BUF 15
Score
7-0
47-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q1 4:11TD
Dalton Kincaid
Points+6
Yard line
MIA 20
Score
7-6
(4:11) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 86-D.Kincaid for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q1 4:04XP
Matt Prater
Points+1
Yard line
MIA 15
Score
7-7
15-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q2 12:00TD
Jackson Hawes
Points+6
Yard line
MIA 5
Score
7-13
(12:00) 70-A.Anderson reported in as eligible. 17-J.Allen pass short left to 85-J.Hawes for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q2 11:54TD
Matt Prater
Points+7
Yard line
MIA 15
Score
7-14
15-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q2 0:11TD
Jaylen Waddle
Points+6
Yard line
BUF 3
Score
13-14
(:11) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short right to 17-J.Waddle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q2 0:08XP
Riley Patterson
Points+1
Yard line
BUF 15
Score
14-14
47-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q3 10:25TD
James Cook III
Points+6
Yard line
MIA 2
Score
14-20
(10:25) 4-J.Cook up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q3 10:23XP
Matt Prater
Points+1
Yard line
MIA 15
Score
14-21
15-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q4 12:22TD
Trysten Hill
Points+6
Yard line
BUF 5
Score
20-21
(12:22) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short right to 10-T.Hill for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q4 12:18XP
Riley Patterson
Points+1
Yard line
BUF 15
Score
21-21
47-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q4 7:23TD
Khalil Shakir
Points+6
Yard line
MIA 15
Score
21-27
(7:23) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 10-K.Shakir for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q4 7:17XP
Matt Prater
Points+1
Yard line
MIA 15
Score
21-28
15-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q4 0:27FG
Matt Prater
Points+3
Yard line
MIA 30
Score
21-31
(:27) 15-M.Prater 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q4 0:22FG
Matt Prater
Points+3
Yard line
BUF 35
Score
21-31
15-M.Prater kicks 65 yards from BUF 35 to end zone, Touchback to the MIA 35.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Jonathan Allen · Buffalo Bills · Passing · +12.46 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
2Trysten Hill · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +5.17 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
3Dalton Kincaid · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +4.98 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.83 EPA/play
4Khalil Shakir · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +4.01 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.00 EPA/play
5Tyrell Shavers · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +2.96 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.48 EPA/play
6Jaylen Waddle · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +2.54 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
7James Cook III · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +2.38 total EPA · 19 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
8Ollie Gordon II · Miami Dolphins · Rushing · +2.26 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Jonathan Allen — BUF · Passing

Jonathan Allen posted the highest total EPA (+12.46) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Buffalo Bills. Across 34 counted snaps, they averaged +0.37 EPA per play.

Jonathan Allen's top snap (+2.69 EPA): (4:11) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 86-D.Kincaid for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Biggest single play (-5.82 EPA): Tua Tagovailoa — (3:06) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short right intended for 17-J.Waddle INTERCEPTED by 8-T.Bernard at BUF 17. 8-T.Bernard pushed ob at BUF 41 for 24 yards (17-J.Waddle).

Quarterback report card

Tua Tagovailoa led all passers in efficiency for Miami Dolphins, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins) · 37 dropbacks · 59.5% completion · -1.7% CPOE · +0.02 EPA/play · +0.60 total EPA
Jonathan Allen (Buffalo Bills) · 34 dropbacks · 64.7% completion · +7.7% CPOE · +0.37 EPA/play · +12.46 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Miami Dolphins	Buffalo Bills
Offensive EPA/play	+0.068	+0.221
Offensive success rate	45.3%	54.1%
Pass EPA/play	+0.016	+0.366
Rush EPA/play	+0.061	+0.123
Defensive EPA/play	-0.221	-0.068
Defensive success rate	45.9%	54.7%

Drive & efficiency notes

Buffalo Bills held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.22 vs +0.07), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Miami Dolphins: +0.07 EPA/play (62nd percentile vs. 2025 team-game averages)
Buffalo Bills: +0.22 EPA/play (90th percentile vs. 2025 team-game averages)

Buffalo Bills: 9 drives, +16.33 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Miami Dolphins: 9 drives, +5.09 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

Miami Dolphins — Ollie Gordon II (Q1 8:34)
Buffalo Bills — Dalton Kincaid (Jonathan Allen pass) (Q1 4:11)
Buffalo Bills — Jackson Hawes (Jonathan Allen pass) (Q2 12:00)
Miami Dolphins — Jaylen Waddle (Tua Tagovailoa pass) (Q2 0:11)
Buffalo Bills — James Cook III (Q3 10:25)
Miami Dolphins — Trysten Hill (Tua Tagovailoa pass) (Q4 12:22)
Buffalo Bills — Khalil Shakir (Jonathan Allen pass) (Q4 7:23)

Field goals

Buffalo Bills — Matt Prater (Q4 0:27)
Buffalo Bills — Matt Prater (Q4 0:22)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the BUF 2 (Q1 8:34) — (8:34) 31-O.Gordon up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q1 8:31) — 47-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-16-J.Bailey.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the MIA 20 (Q1 4:11) — (4:11) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 86-D.Kincaid for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the MIA 15 (Q1 4:04) — 15-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston..

The second quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 13–7. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the MIA 5 (Q2 12:00) — (12:00) 70-A.Anderson reported in as eligible. 17-J.Allen pass short left to 85-J.Hawes for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the MIA 15 (Q2 11:54) — 15-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the BUF 3 (Q2 0:11) — (:11) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short right to 17-J.Waddle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q2 0:08) — 47-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-16-J.Bailey..

The third quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 7–0. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the MIA 2 (Q3 10:25) — (10:25) 4-J.Cook up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the MIA 15 (Q3 10:23) — 15-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston..

The fourth quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 13–7. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the BUF 5 (Q4 12:22) — (12:22) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short right to 10-T.Hill for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q4 12:18) — 47-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-16-J.Bailey.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the MIA 15 (Q4 7:23) — (7:23) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 10-K.Shakir for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the MIA 15 (Q4 7:17) — 15-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston.; Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the MIA 30 (Q4 0:27) — (:27) 15-M.Prater 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston.; Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the BUF 35 (Q4 0:22) — 15-M.Prater kicks 65 yards from BUF 35 to end zone, Touchback to the MIA 35..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Miami Dolphins (Q4 3:06) — (3:06) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short right intended for 17-J.Waddle INTERCEPTED by 8-T.Bernard at BUF 17. 8-T.Bernard pushed ob at BUF 41 for 24 yards (17-J.Waddle). [WPA -23.3% · EPA -5.82]
Buffalo Bills (Q4 10:20) — (10:20) 16-C.Johnston punts 49 yards to MIA 2, Center-69-R.Ferguson, downed by BUF-28-S.Franklin. PENALTY on MIA-92-Z.Sieler, Roughing the Kicker, 15 yards, enforced at BUF 49 - No Play. [WPA +17.7% · EPA +3.72]
Buffalo Bills (Q4 7:23) — (7:23) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 10-K.Shakir for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.8% · EPA +2.36]
Miami Dolphins (Q4 14:16) — (14:16) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short left to 17-J.Waddle ran ob at BUF 21 for 15 yards (9-T.Rapp). [WPA +12.5% · EPA +3.37]
Miami Dolphins (Q4 12:22) — (12:22) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short right to 10-T.Hill for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.8% · EPA +1.69]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Miami Dolphins (Q4 3:06) — (3:06) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short right intended for 17-J.Waddle INTERCEPTED by 8-T.Bernard at BUF 17. 8-T.Bernard pushed ob at BUF 41 for 24 yards (17-J.Waddle). [WPA -23.3% · EPA -5.82]
Buffalo Bills (Q2 6:07) — (6:07) 15-M.Prater 39 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston. [WPA -6.1% · EPA -3.86]
Buffalo Bills (Q4 10:20) — (10:20) 16-C.Johnston punts 49 yards to MIA 2, Center-69-R.Ferguson, downed by BUF-28-S.Franklin. PENALTY on MIA-92-Z.Sieler, Roughing the Kicker, 15 yards, enforced at BUF 49 - No Play. [WPA +17.7% · EPA +3.72]
Miami Dolphins (Q4 14:16) — (14:16) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short left to 17-J.Waddle ran ob at BUF 21 for 15 yards (9-T.Rapp). [WPA +12.5% · EPA +3.37]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q1 8:34 · BUF 2 · Score 6-0
(8:34) 31-O.Gordon up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q1 8:31 · BUF 15 · Score 7-0
47-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q1 4:11 · MIA 20 · Score 7-6
(4:11) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 86-D.Kincaid for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q1 4:04 · MIA 15 · Score 7-7
15-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston.
Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 12:00 · MIA 5 · Score 7-13
(12:00) 70-A.Anderson reported in as eligible. 17-J.Allen pass short left to 85-J.Hawes for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Buffalo Bills TD (+7) — Q2 11:54 · MIA 15 · Score 7-14
15-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston.
Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 0:11 · BUF 3 · Score 13-14
(:11) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short right to 17-J.Waddle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 0:08 · BUF 15 · Score 14-14
47-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q3 10:25 · MIA 2 · Score 14-20
(10:25) 4-J.Cook up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q3 10:23 · MIA 15 · Score 14-21
15-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston.
Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q4 12:22 · BUF 5 · Score 20-21
(12:22) (Shotgun) 1-T.Tagovailoa pass short right to 10-T.Hill for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q4 12:18 · BUF 15 · Score 21-21
47-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-16-J.Bailey.
Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q4 7:23 · MIA 15 · Score 21-27
(7:23) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 10-K.Shakir for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q4 7:17 · MIA 15 · Score 21-28
15-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston.
Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q4 0:27 · MIA 30 · Score 21-31
(:27) 15-M.Prater 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-16-C.Johnston.
Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q4 0:22 · BUF 35 · Score 21-31
15-M.Prater kicks 65 yards from BUF 35 to end zone, Touchback to the MIA 35.

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.

Buffalo Bills earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
Jonathan Allen (Buffalo Bills) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Jonathan Allen (BUF) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills on 2025-09-18?

The Buffalo Bills beat the Miami Dolphins 31-21 in Week 3, 2025.

What was the score by quarter in Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills?

Q1: Miami Dolphins 7, Buffalo Bills 7; Q2: Miami Dolphins 7, Buffalo Bills 13; Q3: Miami Dolphins 0, Buffalo Bills 7; Q4: Miami Dolphins 7, Buffalo Bills 13; Final: Miami Dolphins 21, Buffalo Bills 31.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills?

Miami Dolphins touchdown — O. Gordon (Q1 8:34) Buffalo Bills touchdown — D. Kincaid (J. Allen pass) (Q1 4:11) Buffalo Bills touchdown — J. Hawes (J. Allen pass) (Q2 12:00) Miami Dolphins touchdown — J. Waddle (T. Tagovailoa pass) (Q2 0:11) Buffalo Bills touchdown — J. Cook (Q3 10:25) Miami Dolphins touchdown — T. Hill (T. Tagovailoa pass) (Q4 12:22) Buffalo Bills touchdown — K. Shakir (J. Allen pass) (Q4 7:23) Buffalo Bills field goal — M. Prater (Q4 0:27, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — M. Prater (Q4 0:22, 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?

Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins), 59.5% completion, -1.7% CPOE, +0.02 EPA per dropback, +0.60 total passing EPA. Jonathan Allen (Buffalo Bills), 64.7% completion, +7.7% CPOE, +0.37 EPA per dropback, +12.46 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills?

Jonathan Allen (Buffalo Bills) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +12.46 total EPA on Passing plays. across 34 snaps. Their top snap (+2.69 EPA): (4:11) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 86-D.Kincaid for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Season records after this game

Miami Dolphins

Entered 0-2 Now 0-3 L

Buffalo Bills

Entered 2-0 Now 3-0 W

Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills: 2025 Week 3 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Dolphins

Top fantasy performers · Bills

Quick answer

Game summary