Allen’s Three Touchdowns Propel Bills Past Dolphins 31-21
The Buffalo Bills secured a decisive 31-21 victory over the Miami Dolphins on September 21, 2023, thanks to a strong performance from quarterback Josh Allen. Allen threw three touchdown passes, while Terrel Bernard intercepted a critical pass from Tua Tagovailoa late in the fourth quarter, sealing the Bills’ win and extending their dominance over their AFC East rivals.
Buffalo’s victory marked their seventh consecutive win against Miami and their 14th in the last 15 meetings, including playoffs. The Bills improved their record to 3-0 this season, while the Dolphins fell to 0-3, their worst start since 2019. This performance raises concerns regarding the future of Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, especially as the team has gone 8-13 since a wild-card loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023.
Allen completed 22 of 28 passes for 213 yards, further improving his record against Miami to 14-2, with an impressive total of 43 touchdown passes in those games. The Bills have also maintained a strong home advantage, winning their last 10 meetings with the Dolphins at Buffalo.
The game featured a pivotal moment when Bernard’s interception came with just three minutes remaining. The Dolphins were trailing 28-21 and had a first down at the Buffalo 21-yard line, threatening to tie the game. Bernard intercepted a pass intended for Jaylen Waddle, marking the only turnover of the game and a crucial play for a Bills defense that had struggled throughout the night.
Miami’s offense had shown promise, converting 10 of 15 third-down opportunities. Tagovailoa finished with 23 completions on 34 attempts for 146 yards, including touchdown passes to Waddle and Tyreek Hill. Despite scoring first for the first time this season, the Dolphins quickly fell into a rut, going three-and-out on their next two drives.
Buffalo’s offensive unit capitalized on early opportunities, scoring on three of their first four possessions. James Cook rushed for 108 yards and added a two-yard touchdown run, which put the Bills ahead 21-14 early in the third quarter.
The game’s momentum shifted with ten minutes left and the score tied at 21. A key moment occurred when Miami defensive tackle Zach Sieler was penalized for roughing the punter, allowing Buffalo to retain possession. This penalty set up Allen’s touchdown pass to Khalil Shakir, giving the Bills a lead they would not relinquish.
In addition to Shakir’s touchdown, Dalton Kincaid scored on a 20-yard catch, and rookie tight end Jackson Hawes recorded his first career touchdown with a five-yard reception from Allen.
The victory positions the Bills favorably as they continue their strong start to the season. Looking ahead, the Dolphins will need to address their issues quickly as they aim to recover from their disappointing start. The Bills, under head coach Sean McDermott, have demonstrated their resilience and potent offense, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.
