Bills’ rising star gives Josh Allen and the offense a major lift as defense stalls out vs. Dolphins plus other first half takeaways
The Buffalo Bills have plenty to clean up, but an exciting first half of football thus far.
The Buffalo Bills’ defense gave up touchdowns on the first and last drives of the half. In between, the Bills’ defense looked dominant, paired with the offense buzzing during the divisional showdown.
Josh Allen and the offense looked sharp, with rising star Dalton Kincaid putting on a clinic in the early stages of the matchup, finding the end zone on the team’s first drive and getting fingertips on another. In just the first half, Kincaid led all Bills receivers with three catches for 41 yards and one touchdown.
Allen, once again, was gashing the Dolphins’ secondary with over 100 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. With his second touchdown in the first half, Allen surpassed Patrick Mahomes to become the fastest player to reach 300 career offensive touchdowns, including the postseason.
Allen finished the first half going 11-for-13 with 97 yards and two touchdowns.
First half takeaways from Bills vs. Dolphins
James Cook may be better in 2025 than in 2024, looking like an All-Pro running back in the backfield. Cook signed a four-year extension in the offseason and has been gashing defenses through the early stages of the 2025 season. In just the first half, Cook had eight carries for 73 yards for a 9.1 average.
The entire tight end room deserves a shoutout for helping Cook’s strong night. The Bills’ second touchdown was courtesy of an Allen shovel pass to rookie tight end Jackson Hawes. It was his first career touchdown and one that he won’t soon forget.
Kincaid, Dawson Knox, and Hawes all deserve their flowers from the first half efforts.
Despite allowing an opening drive and final drive touchdown, the defense settled down and forced several three-and-outs throughout the first half, something they’ll be hoping continues when the game resumes.
Miami marched down the field to open and close the half, tying the game in Buffalo. The team is down several key players on the defensive side of the ball, and it showed in the closing moments of the first half.
Tua Tagovailoa finished the first half going 12-for-18 with 66 yards and one touchdown. Buffalo’s run defense was tested, as running back De’Von Achane averaged over five yards a carry and finished the first half with six carries for 35 yards.
His counterpart, Ollie Gordon II, had the team’s lone touchdown and finished the first half with six carries for 20yards.
It wasn’t all great news. Buffalo Bills legend and 41-year-old Matt Prater missed a field goal toward the end of the first half, shanking it wide left. This was his first miss as a member of the Bills, and the fan base is hoping it’s his last miss for the evening.
Plenty to clean up, but enough for Bills Mafia to be excited about coming out of the first half.
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