Dolphins 49, Bills 46: Achane, Hill fuel Miami in primetime Week 3 shootout

BUFFALO, NY - In a Thursday Night Primetime classic, the Miami Dolphins edged out the Buffalo Bills 49-46 in the Week 3 Game of the Week. With both teams trading blows in a game that lived up to its billing, Miami survived one of the league's most intense rivalries to stay perfect in the early season.

Game Recap

Buffalo started hot behind Josh Allen, who found Khalil Shakir for the first of three touchdown connections. Miami quickly answered, as Tua Tagovailoa hit Tyreek Hill for a 6-yard score before rookie back De'Von Achane punched in the first of his four rushing touchdowns.

By halftime, the Bills held a narrow edge thanks to Allen's deep strike to Dalton Kincaid and a long touchdown run from James Cook III. But Miami's balance of explosive passing and a relentless ground game swung the tide late. Achane's 64-yard sprint in the fourth quarter gave the Dolphins the cushion they needed, and a last-minute touchdown from Josh Whyle sealed the win despite Buffalo's late push.

Key Stats

• Tua Tagovailoa (MIA): 29/33, 342 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT, 127.5 rating

• De'Von Achane (MIA): 15 carries, 144 yards, 4 TD; 5 receptions, 35 yards

• Tyreek Hill (MIA): 7 catches, 111 yards, 2 TD

• Darren Waller (MIA): 6 catches, 95 yards

• Josh Allen (BUF): 27/32, 409 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT, 132.2 rating

• Khalil Shakir (BUF): 6 catches, 89 yards, 3 TD

• Dalton Kincaid (BUF): 5 catches, 124 yards, 1 TD

• James Cook III (BUF): 17 carries, 108 yards, 1 TD; 8 catches, 90 yards

Both teams eclipsed 600 total yards of offense in the back-and-forth shootout. Miami converted 80% of its third downs while Buffalo was nearly as sharp at 71%.

Why It Mattered

This wasn't just any primetime game - it was a potential playoff preview between two AFC East powers. Sean Nguyen's Dolphins showed their balance and resiliency in a hostile environment, while Sean McDermott's Bills proved they can trade blows with anyone despite the narrow defeat. For Miami, the win marks a crucial statement early in the season: they can win shootouts on the road against elite competition.

Quotes

"We wanted to show we could hang in a dogfight, and that's exactly what we did," Nguyen said.

McDermott, despite the loss, praised his team's fight: "We went toe-to-toe with one of the best offenses in football. We'll learn from this and be better."

Up Next

The Dolphins return home in Week 4 for an AFC East showdown with the New York Jets, while the Bills stay at home to host the New Orleans Saints.