Buffalo Bills win/ Dolphins crushed by Bills/ James Cook touchdowns/ Tua Tagovailoa injury/ MIAMI GARDENS/ Fla./ NFL Week 2 Bills-Dolphins game/ Newslooks/ The Buffalo Bills overpowered the Miami Dolphins 31-10, with James Cook contributing three touchdowns. Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa left the game in the third quarter due to a concussion after a hit with defensive back Damar Hamlin. Josh Allen completed 13 of 19 passes while the Bills’ defense stifled Miami’s offense, forcing three turnovers.
James Cook Shines in Bills’ Rout of Dolphins: Quick Looks
- James Cook’s three touchdowns (one reception, two runs) fueled Buffalo’s win.
- Tua Tagovailoa exits game with a concussion after colliding with Damar Hamlin.
- Buffalo defense forced three turnovers and limited Miami to 10 points.
- Josh Allen’s solid performance with 139 passing yards and no signs of injury.
- Tyreek Hill held to 24 yards after a tumultuous week off the field.
- Miami injuries included key players Tua, Terron Armstead, and Rob Jones.
James Cook Leads Bills’ 31-10 Win Over Dolphins
Deep Look
The Buffalo Bills asserted their dominance in a 31-10 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night, powered by a stellar performance from running back James Cook and a smothering defensive effort. Cook scored three touchdowns—two on the ground and one receiving—leading Buffalo to a commanding win that improved their record against Miami under head coach Sean McDermott to 14-2. The game, however, took a concerning turn when Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa left with a concussion after a hard hit in the third quarter.
Tagovailoa’s injury occurred when he collided with Buffalo defensive back Damar Hamlin, causing his head to strike the turf. The Dolphins quickly ruled him out with a concussion, raising immediate concerns due to his previous history of head injuries. “Very sad. It’s the worst part of the game,” said Bills quarterback Josh Allen, expressing support for Tagovailoa and his recovery. Head coach Mike McDaniel refrained from speculating on whether Tagovailoa would be placed on injured reserve, saying the team would evaluate him further on Friday.
Before his exit, Tagovailoa completed 15 of 22 passes for 145 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown to De’Von Achane. However, his night was marred by mistakes, as he threw three interceptions, two of which were capitalized on by Buffalo for 10 points. Ja’Marcus Ingram intercepted a tipped pass on Miami’s opening drive, while Christian Benford picked off another pass due to miscommunication with receiver Robbie Chosen. On Miami’s first drive of the third quarter, Tagovailoa threw his third interception, which Ingram returned 31 yards for a touchdown, giving Buffalo a 31-10 lead and sealing the game.
Despite missing several defensive starters, the Bills’ defense proved formidable, holding Miami’s high-powered offense to a single touchdown and a field goal. Coach McDermott praised his team’s resilience, saying, “Next man up. The guys did a great job.”
On offense, Buffalo’s Josh Allen managed the game effectively, completing 13 of 19 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown. Playing with a glove on his left hand due to a previous injury, Allen displayed no signs of discomfort, flexing his hand toward fans after the game to assure them it was fine. His favorite target of the night, James Cook, caught a 17-yard touchdown pass and later added two rushing touchdowns, including a 49-yard sprint where he flipped into the end zone.
Miami’s star receiver Tyreek Hill, who dominated headlines during the week after a traffic incident, was held to just three catches for 24 yards. Hill’s off-field drama continued as the Miami-Dade Police Department initiated an internal investigation following Hill’s claim that an officer assaulted him during a traffic stop before Miami’s season opener.
While Buffalo surged ahead with Cook’s touchdowns, Miami struggled to gain momentum, particularly after losing Tagovailoa. The Dolphins’ offensive line also took a hit, with starters Terron Armstead and Rob Jones leaving the game due to shoulder injuries.
Backup quarterback Skylar Thompson replaced Tagovailoa but was unable to generate much offense. The Bills sent in backup Mitchell Trubisky in the final quarter to close out the game as Buffalo cruised to victory.
The game not only marked another win for Buffalo over their divisional rivals but also left the Dolphins facing serious uncertainty at the quarterback position with Tagovailoa’s health in jeopardy once again. The Dolphins will have to regroup quickly with a tough road game against Seattle next week, while the Bills will host Jacksonville for their next matchup.
