Report card: Bills grade following 31-21 win vs. Dolphins on 'Thursday Night Football'

Grades for the Bills' win vs. the Dolphins in Week 3.

The Buffalo Bills had an up-and-down game against the Miami Dolphins in Week 3.

In the end, none of that matter. The "Thursday Night Football" contest ended in a 31-21 final in favor of Buffalo (3-0). Miami (0-3) stuck around but some heroics in the late stages gave the Bills a win.

But it does count in terms of grades.

With that, here is Bills Wire's report card for the Bills' win over the Dolphins:

Pass offense: B

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 18: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills makes adjustments during the first half of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)

Allen was not over-the-top good like he usually is when he plays the Dolphins but he had a good outing. He was 22-for-28 passing for 213 yards and three touchdowns.

Allen did spread it out, though. He targeted 10 receivers and nine caught passes. Tight end Dalton Kincaid led the way with five grabs for 66 yards and a touchdown.

Run offense: A-

Sep 18, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) scores a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in the third quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Running back James Cook had another stellar day. He put up 108 yards on 19 carries, good for an average of 5.7 yards. That's credit to Buffalo's offensive line as well.

Pass defense: C+

Sep 18, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) makes a catch to score a touchdown against Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford (47) in the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

The Bills' secondary had some tough moments. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa gets the ball out very quick but Buffalo's pass rush was brutal. No sacks and one QB hit. Defensive backs were routinely beaten as well.

Even so, Tagovailoa was only 22 of 34 for 146 yards.

Run defense: C

Sep 18, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Miami Dolphins running back de'von Achane (28) runs against Buffalo Bills linebacker Dorian Williams (42) in the second quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

The Dolphins finished with 130 rushing yards and 5.2 per carry, led by speedy running back De’Von Achane (62 yards, 5.2 per attempt).

The Bills did not have defensive tackle Ed Oliver (ankle) and linebacker Matt Milano (pectoral) in this one.

Special teams: D

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 18: Dee Eskridge #82 of the Miami Dolphins is tackled by Dorian Strong #43 of the Buffalo Bills in the second half of the game at Highmark Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)

Matt Prater had a brutal miss but his experience helped him rebound to be perfect otherwise. But on the opening kickoff and Miami’s Dee Eskridge returned it 54 yards. There were penalty issues to be found as well.

Coaching: B

Sep 18, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott looks on in the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

It was not the prettiest win for the Bills.

Truth be told, these are games good teams win.

Buffalo's best day at the office? Not by a mile. But that's reflective of the standard McDermott sets.

This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Report card: Buffalo Bills top Miami Dolphins, 31-21, in Week 3

Category: Football