Instant Analysis: Miami Dolphins 30, Buffalo Bills 13

Quick thoughts from South Florida Sun Sentinel staffers on the Dolphins’ shocking victory over the Buffalo Bills (6-3) at Hard Rock Stadium as Miami improved to 3-7 on the season:

Chris Perkins, Dolphins Columnist

The Dolphins played their best game of the season against Buffalo. And that was two games after playing their best game of the year against Atlanta. It shows you what this season could have been, and offers a glimpse of what it still could be considering Miami has seven games remaining and four (Washington, New Orleans, New York Jets and Cincinnati) should be considered winnable.

David Furones, Dolphins Writer

Of course the Dolphins do this just when most fans are ready to tank for high draft picks. The familiarity with Buffalo and tight losses recently helped Miami pull it off before going overseas for a week in Madrid. With the Commanders, the bye, the Saints and the Jets coming back, there is a path to 6-7 going into “Monday Night Football” against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the middle of December for this team.

Steve Svekis, Assistant Sports Editor

What a roller-coaster this season is evolving into. After a tumultuous trade-deadline week that can result in a disjointed squad taking the field, the Jaelan Phillips-less and Chris Grier-less Dolphins laid a resounding, NFL-shaking whupping on Josh Allen and the Bills. Now, the Dolphins are in position to enter a domain where very few thought they could be entering December: Being in the hunt.

Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor

Hard to get a grip on what is going on. The Dolphins showed incredible resilience and, while 3-7 still sounds awful, wins the next three games against teams with a 7-21 combined record will somehow put them into the mix for that seventh seed.

Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks celebrates a fumble recovery Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and interim general manager Champ Kelly talk at the end of the game Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Miami Dolphins fans celebrate at the end of the win over the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, right, and CEO Tom Garfinkel talk at the end of the game Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Miami Dolphins interim general manager Champ Kelley celebrates with Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Zeek Biggers Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa leaves the field after the win over the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is pressured by Miami Dolphins linebacker Andre Carter II Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane leaves the field after the win over the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane runs in a touchdown Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Miami Dolphins cornerback Jack Jones breaks up a first down pass intended for Buffalo Bills tight end Jackson Hawes Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Miami Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb takes the field against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa takes the field on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane is chased out of bounds by Buffalo Bills safety Cole Bishop Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver during the game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa reacts to a penalty called on the first play of the game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Buffalo Bills safety Cole Bishop intercepts a pass intended for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and wide receiver Malik Washington celebrate Washington’s touchdown catch against the Buffalo Bills Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington catches a touchdown past former Dolphin Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle celebrates a touchdown catch against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and head coach Mike McDaniel chest-bump after Waddle scores a touchdown Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle catches a touchdown over the defense of Buffalo Bills cornerback Maxwell Hairston Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Retired Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Capt. John Fischer is seen at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Boca Raton, Thursday, May 23, 2024. He will be leading a Bagpipe band/team of Firefighters and police officers to Bastogne, Belgium, the American cemetery in Luxembourg and cemeteries in France for memorials commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross walks onto the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Miami Dolphins interim general manager Champ Kelly is seen before the game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel and interim general manager Champ Kelly take to the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa takes to the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Buffalo Bills fans enter before the game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen warms up before the game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

A Bills Mafia banner flies Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens before the Miami Dolphins-Buffalo Bills game. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Miami Dolphins fullback Alec Ingold signs autographs before the game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

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Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks celebrates a fumble recovery Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

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