Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 3 Recap: Bills Win, Offensive Rebound, and Defensive Breakthroughs

The Miami Dolphins traveled to Buffalo with a chip on their shoulder, and they left Highmark Stadium with a statement 24-17 victory over the Bills— a win that not only gets them back to .500 (2-1) but also reaffirms their status as legitimate AFC East contenders. After a Week 2 offensive slump, the Dolphins looked like a new team on Sunday: Tua Tagovailoa was sharp under pressure, the running game found its rhythm, and the defense shut down Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs when it mattered most. For a team still recovering from a humbling loss to the Jaguars, this win was more than just a bounce-back— it was proof that they can compete with the NFL’s elite. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 3 Recap: Bills Win, Offensive Rebound, and Defensive Breakthroughs breaks down the defining moments of the game, highlights standout performances, and explores what this victory means for the Dolphins’ playoff aspirations.

The biggest story of Sunday’s game was the Dolphins’ offensive rebound, which erased the memory of their Week 2 struggles. Tagovailoa, who faced constant pressure from the Bills’ pass rush, delivered one of his most poised performances of the season: he completed 26 of 37 passes for 298 yards and two touchdowns, with zero interceptions, and he avoided costly mistakes even when the Bills blitzed. What stood out most was his ability to connect with secondary receivers when Tyreek Hill was double-teamed— Jaylen Waddle caught 7 passes for 95 yards, and tight end Durham Smythe added 5 catches for 62 yards and a touchdown. The running game also found its groove: Raheem Mostert rushed for 87 yards on 18 carries (4.8 yards per attempt), and De’Von Achane added 43 yards on 7 carries, including a 22-yard run that set up the Dolphins’ go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter. “We fixed what was broken in Week 2— we balanced the run and pass, and we made smart decisions on third down,” offensive coordinator Frank Smith said after the game. The Dolphins converted 6 of 11 third-down attempts against the Bills, a massive improvement from their 3-of-11 showing against the Jaguars. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 3 Recap: Bills Win, Offensive Rebound, and Defensive Breakthroughs emphasizes this offensive rebound because it shows the Dolphins can adapt— a critical skill for a team that will face tough defenses like the Chiefs and Ravens later in the season.

While the offense shined, the Dolphins’ defense had its own breakthrough, limiting the Bills’ high-powered attack to just 17 points— well below their season average of 28 points per game. Allen, who entered the game with 4 touchdowns and zero interceptions, was held in check: he completed 23 of 38 passes for 256 yards and one touchdown, but he was sacked three times and forced into two fumbles (one of which the Dolphins recovered). The defense’s biggest win was shutting down Diggs, who had just 4 catches for 39 yards— a far cry from his 14-catch, 167-yard start to the season. Cornerback Xavien Howard, who was tasked with covering Diggs for most of the game, played one of his best games as a Dolphin: he recorded 5 tackles, one pass deflection, and forced a fumble that stopped a Bills drive in the red zone. “We focused on making Allen uncomfortable, and we didn’t let Diggs get into a rhythm,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. Edge rushers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb also stepped up: Phillips recorded 2 sacks and 4 pressures, while Chubb added 1 sack and 3 tackles for loss. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 3 Recap: Bills Win, Offensive Rebound, and Defensive Breakthroughs highlights this defensive effort because it answers a key question: can the Dolphins stop elite quarterbacks like Allen? Sunday’s game proved they can— and that Fangio’s scheme is starting to click.

Special teams, which had a miscue in Week 2, was nearly perfect against the Bills, with field position battles tilting heavily in Miami’s favor. Kicker Jason Sanders made all three of his field goal attempts (from 35, 41, and 44 yards) and both extra points, including a 44-yard field goal in the fourth quarter that extended the Dolphins’ lead to 24-17. Punter Jake Bailey, who had a short punt in Week 2, bounced back with a strong game: he averaged 47.3 yards per punt and pinned the Bills inside their 20-yard line three times, forcing Buffalo to start drives in poor field position. The coverage unit was equally impressive, holding Bills returner Nyheim Hines to just 4.2 yards per punt return and 18.5 yards per kickoff return— well below his career averages. “Special teams was a difference-maker today— we won the field position battle, and that made it harder for the Bills to score,” special teams coordinator Danny Crossman said. The Dolphins also got a boost from Jaylen Waddle’s return game: he averaged 10.5 yards per punt return, including a 15-yard return that set up the Dolphins’ first touchdown. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 3 Recap: Bills Win, Offensive Rebound, and Defensive Breakthroughs explores this special teams success because it’s a reminder that excellence in all three phases of the game is what separates good teams from great ones— and the Dolphins are now firing on all cylinders.

One of the most encouraging signs from Sunday’s win was the Dolphins’ ability to close out the game— something they struggled with in Week 2. With the score tied 17-17 in the third quarter, the Dolphins took control: they scored seven unanswered points (a Sanders field goal and a Tagovailoa-to-Smythe touchdown pass) and held the Bills to just 83 yards in the fourth quarter. When the Bills had a chance to tie the game with 2 minutes left, the defense stepped up: Phillips sacked Allen on third down, forcing a fourth-and-15 that Buffalo couldn’t convert. “Closing out games is a skill, and we showed we have it today,” head coach Mike McDaniel said. The Dolphins’ poise in the fourth quarter was a far cry from their Week 2 performance, when they allowed the Jaguars to score 14 unanswered points in the second half. This improvement is a testament to the team’s mental toughness— and to the leadership of veterans like Hill and Christian Wilkins, who kept the team focused when the game was on the line. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 3 Recap: Bills Win, Offensive Rebound, and Defensive Breakthroughs emphasizes this closing ability because it’s what will carry the Dolphins through close games in the playoffs— if they can keep it up, they’ll be a tough team to beat in crunch time.

Finally, Sunday’s win has given the Dolphins momentum and confidence as they head into a Week 4 matchup against the New England Patriots— another divisional rival. After beating the Bills, the Dolphins have now proven they can compete with the AFC East’s top teams, and they’re in a good position to take control of the division if they can keep winning. The team also learned valuable lessons from the game: they can balance their offense, stop elite quarterbacks, and close out close games— all skills they’ll need in the weeks ahead. McDaniel has already emphasized that the team won’t get complacent: “This win is great, but we have to keep working— the Patriots are a tough team, and we can’t afford to let our guard down,” he said. The players have embraced this mindset too; Hill and Wilkins led extra film sessions on Monday, and the team’s energy in practice was higher than it’s been all season. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 3 Recap: Bills Win, Offensive Rebound, and Defensive Breakthroughs concludes with this momentum because it’s what will drive the Dolphins for the rest of the season. With a win over the Patriots, they could move into first place in the AFC East— and take another step toward their goal of winning a Super Bowl. As they prepare for Week 4, all signs point to a team that’s hitting its stride— and ready to take on whatever the NFL throws at them.