Week 3 of the NFL season begins with a lopsided division rivalry, something the Buffalo Bills want to continue and the Miami Dolphins hope to rewrite when they face off Thursday in Orchard Park, N.Y.
The Bills (2-0) have won six straight meetings with their AFC East counterparts, including a wild-card game after the 2022 season. Josh Allen is 12-2 against Miami in the regular season, his best winning percentage against any opponent he’s faced at least five times.
The winless Dolphins are 1-6 against the Bills under coach Mike McDaniel, whose seat is getting hotter after an ugly start to 2025. The franchise hasn’t won a game in Buffalo since 2016, which predates McDaniel, Allen and most everyone else involved in this week’s game.
“Thursday night games, after a loss, they can be a blessing because you have no time to think about anything else,” McDaniel said. “… I think it’s extremely important that the guys are solely focused as I am on the Bills and nothing else, because that’s all that does matter.”
It was a similar response to one the coach gave Sunday after the Dolphins (0-2) fell to the New England Patriots 33-27 while a plane flew a banner over the stadium calling for his firing. “If I worry about my job security,” McDaniel said then, “I won’t be doing my job.”
Dealing with Buffalo is no small task. The Bills have gained a league-high 450 yards per game and rank second in scoring offense at 35.5 points per game. They followed up a classic 41-40 comeback win over Baltimore by stomping the New York Jets 30-10. Miami’s defense ranks near the bottom of the league in average yards (375.5) and points (33.0) allowed.
While Allen, the reigning NFL MVP, remains the focal point of any scouting report, the Bills have become dangerous on the ground thanks to James Cook. The running back is fourth in the NFL with 176 rushing yards and tied for the league lead with three touchdowns.
Cook has scored a rushing touchdown in six straight games dating to last year, one shy of O.J. Simpson’s team record.
“He’s an absolute stud,” Allen said of Cook, before referencing the running back’s contract hold-in over the summer. “I’m just very proud of how he handled everything this offseason and didn’t let it become a distraction, because he’s looking as good as he ever has.”
Allen got his nose bloodied by a vicious hit during the Jets game and was knocked out for all of two plays. He plans to wear a visor this week to protect it.
After a 33-8 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the opener, the Dolphins executed better in Week 2. Tua Tagovailoa went 26-for-32 passing for 315 yards and two touchdowns, leading Miami out of a 12-0 hole to take a 27-23 lead. But he threw a costly fourth-quarter interception between Patriots scoring drives to let the game get away.
Buffalo is plenty familiar with Miami receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle and running back De’Von Achane, each of whom had big days in the passing game last week.
“They do a lot of different things. I think Coach McDaniel is one of the better coaches in the league offensively and how he schemes things up,” McDermott said. “It’s hard to defend, explosive. It makes for a big challenge, and especially on a short week.”
Tagovailoa said he’s never been on a team that started 0-2. A loss Thursday would make the Dolphins 0-3 in a 12-day span, a daunting hole. But Tagovailoa compared the situation to 2021, when the Dolphins lost seven straight and responded with a seven-game winning streak.
“You just got to continue to stick to your process, stay even keel, trust the guys, continue to bring those guys along, and you go out there and continue to play,” Tagovailoa said. “Do your job, do the best that you can and the result will take care of itself.”
Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver (ankle) and linebacker Matt Milano (pectoral) did not practice Monday or Tuesday. Linebacker Shaq Thompson (hamstring, hand) and defensive backs Cam Lewis (shoulder) and Taron Johnson (quad) have been limited.
For the Dolphins, eight players were limited on Tuesday, including Waddle (shoulder), tight end Darren Waller (hip) and running back Jaylen Wright (knee). Starting center Aaron Brewer is dealing with a hip injury as well, but McDaniel said he is confident Brewer will play.
Cornerback Storm Duck (ankle) and safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (calf) have not practiced this week.
