What we learned from the Buffalo Bills' win against the Miami Dolphins in Week 3

Here are a few things we learned about the Bills during their 31-21 win over the Dolphins.

The Buffalo Bills taught us plenty about the team in Week 3.

The Bills (3-0) ground out a 31-21 win over the Miami Dolphins (0-3) on "Thursday Night Football." Clearly it was not the most pretty victory, but a win is a win.

While there was plenty of good in the end, we have other layers from this contest too.

Here are three things we learned from the Bills' win over the Dolphins:

Pass rush questions

Sep 18, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) passes against Buffalo Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau (50) in the second quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

The Bills' pass rush had a breakout in Week 2's win over the New York Jets. That was highlighted by Joey Bosa's first sack with the team and his forced fumble.

Despite that promise, against Miami and QB quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, it did not go well. Tagovailoa gets the ball out quick, but Buffalo's defense had no sacks and just one QB hit. That's why the Dolphins kept this one close.

Count on Jimbo

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

Bills quarterback Josh Allen played well. He was 22-for-28 passing for 213 yards with three touchdowns. It just wasn't his "Superman" self.

But the point here is, even if Allen isn't at the MVP level he plays at often, Buffalo can count on James Cook. The Bills running back had 108 rushing yards on 19 carries (5.7 average) and a touchdown.

Cook can be just as elite.

A game good teams win

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 18: Head coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills makes adjustments during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

As a team overall, this was not the best game Buffalo has played in recent years. Regardless, they won.

And that's a key point. Good teams win games they should not. The Dolphins were not the better team, but some teams would lose that game. The Bills did not and that is worth recognizing.

This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: What we learned from the Bills' win against the Dolphins in Week 3

Category: Football