MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 12: James Cook #4 of the Buffalo Bills scores a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter in the game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 12, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
The Buffalo Bills once again defeated the Miami Dolphins in stellar fashion, this time being a 31-10 beat down on Thursday Night Football.
Running back James Cook and the Bills’ offensive attack couldn’t be contained by the Dolphins’ lackluster run defense, and the Bills’ defense had the Dolphins under wraps all night and sealed the game. For the Bills, there was a lot more good than bad on Thursday.
The good
Josh Allen
Josh Allen, two fingers tied together and all, had a great game last night against the division rival Miami Dolphins. Allen went into the game with a left hand injury which caused him to tape his middle and ring fingers and wear a glove. Regardless, Allen showed out.
He had a minimal game compared to what we’re used to seeing from him, yet he still played great. Allen finished the game 13/19 passing for 139 yards and found James Cook out of the backfield for his only passing touchdown of the night. Unlike Allen’s Week 1 rushing stats, this week Allen had 2 carries for 2 yards.
James Cook
James Cook was one of, if not the best, player on the entire field in the Bills win. Cook “cooked” from start to finish and had a career game. He was the main focus of the Bills’ offensive approach in the win and made a statement for himself.
James Cook finished with 11 carries for 78 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. He also had a catch for a 17-yard touchdown reception.
His big highlight of the night was this 49-yard scamper for a TD which put the Bills up 24-7 in the first half:
Christian Benford
Christian Benford did a great job covering some of the fastest players in the league in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, playing blanket coverage all game and keeping the Dolphins passing game to a minimum.
Benford finished the game with 7 total tackles, an interception, and a pass defended which led to an interception going the other way.
Ja’Marcus Ingram
Ja’Marcus Ingram had a phenomenal game and made a name for himself in the Bills’ secondary. Ingram has been with the Bills since 2022, and in last night’s win, he got a chance to prove himself to the team.
He had his first career interception off of a tip, and later on in the game, Ingram picked off quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and ran it back the other way for his first career pick-six.
The bad
Containing the check-down
The Miami Dolphins’ main source of income on offense was the check down to running back De’Von Achane. The Bills were playing back all game to cover the Dolphins’ speedy receivers and left Achane a lot of room to work underneath. It didn’t hurt them too much in terms of the overall game, but Achane was the only one hurting the Bills.
Tyler Bass
Bills kicker Tyler Bass went 1/2 on field goals for the night. Bass missed a field goal wide left, the miss didn’t matter much in the grand scheme of the game, yet it is something to clean up. The Bills would love to see more consistency in the kicking game moving forward.
