Sometimes, the early season prime-time NFL games are not great matchups.
That won't be the case Thursday night when the Miami Dolphins host the Buffalo Bills . Early supremacy in the AFC East is at stake with both teams having won their openers last Sunday. Keep scrolling for live updates and highlights from the game.
All eyes, of course, will be on Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill, after the tumultuous week he had since an incident with Miami-Dade Police prior to the season-opener against the Jaguars at Hard Rock Stadium .
But there actually will be a game - broadcast nationally on Amazon Prime - and there are numerous sub-plots:
- Bills quarterback Josh Allen owns the Dolphins. He has a 10-2 record vs. Miami and he's coming off a season-opening win in which he tossed two TD passes and ran for two more scores.
- One of the Dolphins who will be trying to stop Allen and the Bills offense is safety Jordan Poyer , who played in Buffalo for the last six seasons.
- Tua Tagovailoa put up some good numbers vs. the Jags but the offense also struggled at times. The running back corps is beat up and will be missing Raheem Mostert .
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Dolphins vs Bills score updates
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is out for the remainder of the game against the Bills after suffering a concussion while attempting to convert a fourth-down run in the third quarter.
Tagovailoa walked off the field and into the locker room with assistance from trainers after the injury.
The Buffalo Bills add an interception return for touchdown as Ja'Marcus Ingram jumps a floated Tagovailoa pass and returns it for a touchdown.
It's the third career pick-six for Tagovailoa and his first since Nov. 24, 2023 at the New York Jets.
Jason Sanders knocked through a 32-yard field goal to give the Dolphins a 24-10 advantage with seconds to halftime.
Scoring drive: 13 plays, 54 yards, 3:32
The Dolphins are in trouble after running back James Cook broke loose for a 49-yard rushing touchdown on the first play after Miami's turnover on downs.
James Cook has three touchdowns in the first half and the Bills lead 24-7 with 3:36 to halftime.
Scoring drive: 1 play, 49 yards, 0:09
The Dolphins can't muster an answer on the ensuing drive as Ed Oliver sacked Tua Tagovailoa on fourth down at midfield.
The drive started well with a 17-yard rush by De'Von Achane but fizzled out on the next set of downs.
Buffalo leads Miami 17-7 in the second quarter after Bills running back James Cook plunged into the end zone for a 1-yard score with 6:25 left to halftime.
Bills running back Ty Johnson made a third-down catch against Dolphins star corner Jalen Ramsey on the previous play, an extended rollout by Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen.
Scoring drive: 8 plays, 85 yards, 4:29
The Bills have their second interception of the first quarter as Christian Benford grabs an overthrown Tagovailoa pass and midfield and returns it into Dolphins territory.
Tagovailoa targeted wide receiver Robbie Chosen on the play.
Miami and Buffalo are tied 7-7 at the end of the first quarter.
The Dolphins respond to the Buffalo touchdown with a scoring drive of their, capped by a 5-yard touchdown reception by running back De'Von Achane.
Achane, whose status was uncertain entering the game, is off to a fast start with 6 carries for 26 yards as well as the receiving touchdown.
Scoring drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 6:28
Bills running back James Cook caught a pass in the flat and scored from 17 yards out to give Buffalo an early lead at Hard Rock Stadium. Buffalo called timeout prior to the fourth-and-3 attempt and ultimately converted.
Scoring drive: 6 plays, 37 yards, 2:27
Buffalo cornerback Ja'Marcus Ingram corralled a deflected Tua Tagovailoa pass on third-and-13 to end the Miami Dolphins ' opening drive of the game.
Ingram returned the interception into Dolphins territory to set up Buffalo's first drive.
The Miami Dolphins will receiver the opening kickoff after the Buffalo Bills won the opening coin toss and deferred to the second half.
Buffalo's opening kick went into the end zone for a touchback.
Tyreek Hill says he still hasn't fully grasped what happened when he was handcuffed by Miami-Dade police before Sunday's game outside Hard Rock Stadium. He also said he doesn't want to hear from the officers who forcibly pulled him from his car and onto the ground multiple times.
The Miami Dolphins ' star receiver talked with Taylor Rooks on Amazon Prime before Thursday night's game against the Buffalo Bills . Hill said he was "embarrassed" by the incident.
"It's tough, it's hard, going through something like that," Hill said in the interview. "It's traumatic, it's embarrassing for my family, my kids, my wife especially, to have my wife ornery when she's pregnant. So yeah, I'm still trying to put it all together, still trying to put the pieces (of) the puzzle (together)."
More: Tyreek Hill before Thursday night game: Miami police officer's actions 'next-level crazy'
Running back Raheem Mostert and defensive back Ethan Bonner are among the inactives for the Dolphins tonight against the Buffalo Bills.
- CB Ethan Bonner
- RB Raheem Mostert
- LB Channing Tindall
- LB Mohamed Kamara
- OL Andrew Meyer
- WR Malik Washington
Miami Dolphins highlights vs Buffalo Bills
Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert has been ruled out with a chest injury. Fellow running De'Von Achane was listed questionable with an ankle injury but is expected to play. Wide receiver Malik Washington is out with a quad injury. Linebacker Jaelan Phillips was limited at practice Wednesday but does not have an injury designation. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey was a full participant at Wednesday's practice.
Bills cornerback Taron Johnson (forearm) and defensive end Dawuane Smoot (toe) are out. Defensive end Javon Solomon was limited all week with an oblique injury and is listed as doubtful. Quarterback Josh Allen injured his left hand on a rushing touchdown Sunday, but he was a full participant at Wednesday's practice. Running back Ty Johnson (knee) also practiced in full Wednesday.
Weather.com predicts 83 degrees at kickoff with cloudy skies in Miami Gardens. Winds are expected to blow out of the south at 5-10 mph. The forecast calls for showers earlier in the evening, but there is a 24% chance of rain at kickoff.
- Date: Thursday, September 12
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
- TV channel: WFOR (CBS Channel 4) in Miami
- Streaming: Amazon Prime
Dolphins vs Bills will broadcast nationally on Amazon Prime in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season. It will not be available on traditional TV outside of Miami and Buffalo. Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit will call the game from the booth at Hard Rock Stadium, with Kaylee Hartung reporting from the sidelines.
- Series record: Dolphins lead 62-58-1 (Bills lead 4-1 in playoffs)
- Bills' last win: January 7, 2024 (21-14)
- Dolphins' last win : September 25, 2022 (21-19)
Joe Schad, Palm Beach Post : Dolphins 24, Bills 23
"It feels like this is the moment it changes. This is the moment Western New York domination ends. Tua Tagovailoa can gain secrets from his locker mate, former Bills safety Jordan Poyer. And the loss of Dolphins-killer Stefon Diggs burns the Bills. Buffalo misses a chance to win it. Wide right."
Hal Habib, Palm Beach Post : Dolphins 29, Bills 18
"The more I look at the Bills, the more I think of them as a team in transition. Jordan Poyer in aqua and orange only confirms it. The Tyreek incident becomes a rallying moment for Miami."
Sal Maiorana, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle : Dolphins 27, Bills 26
"This is a tough spot for the Bills, having to go on the road to play a division opponent on a short week, but that’s the case for almost all road teams in Thursday night games. The Bills have done this enough to know how to handle it, but in the Miami heat, without Taron Johnson against the Dolphins’ dynamic passing game, it’s a tough task for Buffalo, even though it has owned the Dolphins for years. It just feels like if Miami is ever going to beat Buffalo, this is a prime opportunity in prime time."
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports : Bills 28, Dolphins 24
"Josh Allen has owned the Miami Dolphins in his career with an 11-2 record. That won't change in this one. It's always tough on the Bills playing in the heat, but this is a night game. Sure, it's on a short week, but the Bills will do enough on defense and Allen will win it late. He continues his mastery over the Dolphins."
Dolphins vs Bills betting odds
Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Thursday:
- Spread: Dolphins (-2½)
- Over/under : 49 points
- Money line: Bills +115, Dolphins -135
Miami Dolphins schedule 2024
- September 8: vs. Jacksonville (W 20-17)
- September 12: vs. Buffalo, 8:15 p.m.
- September 22: at Seattle, 4:05 p.m.
- September 30: vs. Tennessee, 7:30 p.m.
- October 6: at New England, 1 p.m.
- October 13: Bye
- October 20: at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.
- October 27: vs. Arizona, 1 p.m.
- November 3: at Buffalo, 1 p.m.
- November 11: at LA Rams, 8:15 p.m.
- November 17:vs. Las Vegas, 1 p.m.
- November 24: vs. New England, 1 p.m.
- November 28: at Green Bay, 8:20 p.m.
- December 8: at NY Jets, 1 p.m.
- December 15: at Houston, 1 p.m.
- December 22: vs. San Francisco, 4:25 p.m.
- December 29: at Cleveland, 8:20 p.m.
- TBA:at NY Jets
- Record: 1-0
Buffalo Bills schedule 2024
- September 8: vs. Arizona (W 34-28)
- September 12: at Miami, 8:15 p.m.
- September 23: vs. Jacksonville, 7:30 p.m.
- September 29: at Baltimore, 8:20 p.m.
- October 6: at Houston, 1 p.m.
- October 14: at NY Jets, 8:15 p.m.
- October 20: vs. Tennessee, 1 p.m.
- October 27: at Seattle, 4:05 p.m.
- November 3: vs. Miami, 1 p.m.
- November 10: at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.
- November 17: vs. Kansas City, 4:25 p.m.
- November 24: Bye
- December 1: vs. San Francisco, 8:20 p.m.
- December 8: at LA Rams, 4:25 p.m.
- December 15: at Detroit, 4:25 p.m.
- December 22: vs. New England, 1 p.m.
- December 29: vs. NY Jets, 1 p.m.
- TBA: at New England
- Record: 1-0
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This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Buffalo Bills defeat Miami Dolphins, Tua suffers concussion during Thursday Night Football
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