Allen throws 4 TDs, Cook rushes for 119 as Bills beat Dolphins

Orchard Park, NY - Josh Allen threw four touchdown passes, James Cook III delivered the game's top rushing performance and the Buffalo Bills defeated the Miami Dolphins 31-17 in Week 11.

Buffalo entered the matchup with only one win in nine games, but its offense produced a balanced afternoon against a division opponent. The Bills finished with 364 offensive yards, collecting 203 through the air and 161 on the ground. They also recorded 21 first downs while scoring on three of their six red-zone trips.

Allen completed 20 of 26 passes for 225 yards and finished with a 102.2 passer rating. His four touchdown passes were distributed among three receivers: Dalton Kincaid caught two, while Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman each had one.

The production came with considerable volatility. Allen threw three interceptions, giving Miami's defense repeated takeaways even as Buffalo reached 31 points. Adoree’ Jackson intercepted two passes and totaled 46 return yards, while JuJu Brents added an interception and a sack.

"Four touchdowns are good, but the three interceptions aren't something I can ignore," Allen said. "There's a lot to clean up, but getting the win and putting 31 on the board gives us something positive to build from."

Cook supplied Buffalo's most consistent volume on the ground. He carried 18 times, the most rushing attempts in the game, and finished with a game-high 119 yards. His longest run covered 20 yards. Allen added 33 rushing yards on three attempts, including a 17-yard gain.

Together, those numbers gave Buffalo a substantial rushing edge. Miami finished with 105 rushing yards, led by Jaydon Blue's 58 yards on nine carries. Blue also recorded the game's longest run at 26 yards, but Cook was the only runner to cross the 100-yard mark.

"I wanted to stay available and give the offense steady yards whenever my number came up," Cook said. "Eighteen carries is a good workload, and finishing over 100 means the running game was productive."

Buffalo's receiving totals were spread across the lineup. Kincaid's two touchdowns came on six catches for 35 yards, while Shakir had two receptions for 24 yards and a score. Coleman's lone catch went for a 22-yard touchdown. The Bills converted 4 of 8 third downs and their only fourth-down attempt.

Miami generated 342 offensive yards but came away with 17 points. The Dolphins reached the red zone four times, recording one touchdown and one field goal on those possessions, and went 0-for-3 on fourth down. They converted 6 of 14 third-down attempts.

Kyle McCord completed 20 of 35 passes for a game-high 252 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He connected on the game's longest completion, a 66-yard throw, and finished with an 86.8 passer rating.

Caleb Douglas was Miami's leading receiver and the game leader with 107 yards on six catches. Chris Bell added 69 yards and a touchdown on two receptions, with 66 yards coming on his longest catch. Marvin Mims Jr. caught Miami's other touchdown pass.

"We had opportunities inside the 20, and one touchdown in four trips isn't enough," McCord said. "We moved the ball for 342 yards, but we have to get more points out of that production."

The Dolphins actually held the advantage in passing yardage, 237-203, and their defense recorded three sacks along with the three interceptions. Buffalo countered with 56 more rushing yards, six more first downs and a higher rate of red-zone touchdown production. The Bills scored touchdowns on three of six red-zone trips, compared with one on four trips for Miami.

For Buffalo, the result ended a one-game skid and delivered a second victory after a 1-8 start. Miami, which entered at 3-6, dropped its second consecutive game. The Bills left Orchard Park with a 14-point win, four touchdown passes from Allen and a 119-yard rushing performance from Cook.

Up Next

Buffalo will remain home in Week 12 to host the Kansas City Chiefs, while Miami returns home looking to rebound against the New York Jets.