Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins Match Player Stats: A Detailed Breakdown of Performance and Key Stats

Introduction

The game between the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins presented a high-stakes matchup that showcased the strengths and weaknesses of both teams. The final score of 31-21 in favor of the Buffalo Bills gave them a dominant victory, extending their perfect record to 3-0, while the Dolphins, struggling with a 0-3 start, continued their winless run. This post will break down the key player statistics and analyze the performance of both teams across various categories.

1st Half Breakdown

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins started strong in the first half, scoring 14 points by halftime. Their first drive resulted in a touchdown, as the Dolphins managed to score 7 points in the first quarter and followed it up with another touchdown in the second. The offense was relatively balanced, as they gained 146 passing yards and 130 rushing yards, but they struggled to capitalize on their opportunities. Their passing game, led by their quarterback, was underwhelming, as they completed just 22 out of 34 pass attempts for 146 yards.

The Dolphins also managed to convert three out of three red-zone opportunities, showcasing their efficiency when inside the 20-yard line. However, they struggled with possession, controlling the ball for only 28 minutes and 13 seconds compared to the Bills’ 31 minutes and 47 seconds.

Buffalo Bills

On the other hand, the Buffalo Bills showed poise and execution on both sides of the ball. The Bills were able to respond to the Dolphins’ touchdowns, scoring 14 points of their own in the first half. Their quarterback performed at a higher level, completing 22 out of 28 passes for 203 yards, and their rushing attack contributed significantly to the team’s success with 157 rushing yards. The Bills also converted three out of four red-zone attempts, demonstrating a solid ability to capitalize on their scoring opportunities.

While the Bills’ offense gained 360 total yards and controlled the ball for almost 32 minutes, they were also aided by a strong defense that kept the Dolphins from scoring in the third quarter. The defense allowed just 276 total yards for Miami, limiting their overall offensive production.

2nd Half Breakdown

In the second half, the Dolphins were unable to maintain their earlier momentum, only managing to score a single touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Bills, meanwhile, continued to play efficiently, adding 17 more points, including 10 points in the final quarter. This domination in the second half highlighted the Bills’ depth, both offensively and defensively.

The Bills’ defense stepped up in critical moments, limiting Miami’s scoring opportunities. One key takeaway was the performance of the Miami quarterback, who threw an interception, which further hampered the Dolphins’ ability to recover from their earlier deficit.

Key Player Stats

Miami Dolphins

Passing:

The Dolphins’ passing game was inconsistent, with the quarterback completing 22 of 34 passes for 146 yards. The yards per attempt was a mere 4.3 yards, showing their inability to push the ball downfield effectively. Additionally, the quarterback threw one interception, which halted any chance of a comeback.

Rushing:

The rushing attack was productive, totaling 130 yards on 25 carries, averaging 5.2 yards per rush. The ground game kept the Dolphins in the game for a while, but they were unable to convert key opportunities into more points.

Defense:

The Dolphins’ defense allowed the Bills to gain 360 total yards, including 203 yards in the air. The defense also surrendered three touchdowns, including a key 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter, which put the game out of reach.

Penalties and Turnovers:

Miami committed six penalties for 57 yards, which put them in difficult field positions throughout the game. They also committed one turnover, an interception, which gave Buffalo an opportunity to extend their lead.

Buffalo Bills

Passing:

The Bills’ passing game, led by their quarterback, was more efficient than the Dolphins’. Completing 22 of 28 passes for 203 yards, the Bills averaged a solid 6.8 yards per attempt. They avoided turnovers, with no interceptions thrown.

Rushing:

Buffalo’s ground game was key to their success, rushing for 157 yards on 27 attempts, averaging 5.8 yards per carry. The balance between their running backs and quarterback allowed them to maintain possession and control the game’s tempo.

Defense:

The Bills’ defense played an instrumental role in their victory. They allowed only 276 total yards and recorded two sacks, which put pressure on Miami’s quarterback throughout the game. They also limited Miami’s passing game to just 146 yards.

Penalties and Turnovers:

Buffalo was disciplined, committing only three penalties for 35 yards, which is significantly fewer than Miami. The Bills also did not turn the ball over, which gave them an advantage in the turnover battle.

Statistical Highlights

1st Downs:

• Miami Dolphins: 19
• Buffalo Bills: 23

The Bills had more 1st downs than Miami, reflecting their ability to sustain drives and control the game.

Passing Yards:

• Miami Dolphins: 146
• Buffalo Bills: 203

The Bills had a significant advantage in passing yards, showcasing their more efficient aerial attack.

Rushing Yards:

• Miami Dolphins: 130
• Buffalo Bills: 157

Buffalo’s rushing attack outperformed Miami’s, as they gained 27 more yards on the ground.

Third-Down Efficiency:

• Miami Dolphins: 10-15 (66.7%)
• Buffalo Bills: 6-11 (54.5%)

The Dolphins were more efficient on third downs, but their inability to convert in critical moments ultimately cost them.

Red Zone Efficiency:

• Miami Dolphins: 3-3 (100%)
• Buffalo Bills: 3-4 (75%)

Both teams performed well in the red zone, but the Bills had more opportunities to score, which helped them secure the win.

Sacks and Pressure:

• Miami Dolphins: 0 sacks, 0 yards lost
• Buffalo Bills: 2 sacks, 10 yards lost

The Bills’ defense was more aggressive, sacking the Dolphins’ quarterback twice and putting consistent pressure on him.

Turnovers:

• Miami Dolphins: 1 (interception)
• Buffalo Bills: 0

The Dolphins’ turnover ultimately proved costly, as the Bills capitalized on their clean game to secure the win.

Possession:

• Miami Dolphins: 28:13
• Buffalo Bills: 31:47

The Bills dominated possession, holding the ball for nearly three more minutes than the Dolphins, which allowed them to control the pace of the game.

Conclusion

The Buffalo Bills’ 31-21 victory over the Miami Dolphins highlighted a well-rounded performance in both offensive and defensive areas. The Bills controlled the game with their balanced offense, solid passing game, and effective rushing attack. On the defensive side, the Bills’ pressure on Miami’s quarterback and ability to limit their passing game helped them secure a comfortable win. For the Dolphins, while they showed signs of life in the early stages of the game, they struggled to finish drives and were unable to adjust to Buffalo’s defensive pressure. Their passing attack lacked the necessary explosiveness to threaten the Bills’ defense, and the turnover proved to be a significant turning point.

Overall, the Bills’ performance reaffirmed their dominance in the early part of the season, while the Dolphins will need to regroup and make adjustments if they hope to turn their season around.

FAQS

1. What was the final score of the Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins match?
The Buffalo Bills won 31-21 against the Miami Dolphins.

2. Which team had more rushing yards?
The Buffalo Bills had 157 rushing yards compared to the Dolphins’ 130.

3. How many turnovers did the Dolphins commit?
The Dolphins committed one turnover (an interception).

4. Who had the better third-down efficiency?
The Miami Dolphins had a better third-down efficiency at 66.7%.

5. Which team dominated time of possession?
The Buffalo Bills controlled the ball for 31:47 minutes, more than the Dolphins’ 28:13 minutes.