Bills vs. Dolphins final score, results: Josh Allen, Buffalo come from behind to claim AFC East

Dan Treacy

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Bills vs. Dolphins final score, results: Josh Allen, Buffalo come from behind to claim AFC East image

The Bills finishing the season as AFC East champions and the No. 2 seed in the conference is a scenario that would have surprised no one at the start of the season. How Buffalo got there, however, was anything but smooth.

The same can be said of the Bills' 21-14 win over the Dolphins on Sunday night, which saw Josh Allen and the offense score just seven points through the first three quarters before coming away with the victory. 

As has been the case for much of the season, turnovers hurt the Bills at too many points. Allen threw two early interceptions, both into the end zone, and later cost Buffalo a scoring opportunity by fumbling right into Christian Wilkins' hands. It wasn't until a 96-yard punt return touchdown by Deonte Harty early in the fourth quarter that the Bills started to turn things around.

After Harty injected life into Buffalo's sideline, the defense rose up and got another quick stop to put the ball back in Allen's hand. He led a rapid touchdown drive, picking up chunks of yards between Dalton Kincaid and Khalil Shakir before hitting Dawson Knox for the go-ahead touchdown.

MORE: Sean McDermott calls out Josh Allen for being 'too aggressive' in first half vs. Dolphins

The Bills nearly iced the game with their offense late in the fourth quarter, but Allen was ruled to be short on a quarterback sneak on fourth-and-1. That put the ball back in Tua Tagovailoa's hands, sparking a Dolphins drive that trickled into Buffalo territory but fell apart when Tagovailoa was intercepted by Taylor Rapp with just over a minute remaining.

The Bills are headed home to host the Steelers in a Sunday afternoon wild-card game. If they win, they will get the privilege of staying in Buffalo for the divisional round.

With the loss, the Dolphins are headed to Arrowhead Stadium to face the Chiefs in a game that is expected to be played in frigid temperatures. If Miami is going to win its first playoff game in 23 years, it will require overcoming two-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes.

MORE: Why Stefon Diggs' usage has declined for Bills

The Sporting News tracked live scoring updates and highlights from Bills vs. Dolphins on "Sunday Night Football." Check out all of the key moments you might have missed from Sunday night's action. 

Bills vs. Dolphins final score

  1 2 3 4 F
Bills 0 7 0 14 21
Dolphins 0 14 0 0 14

Bills vs. Dolphins updates, highlights from 'Sunday Night Football'

(All times Eastern)

Final: Bills 21, Dolphins 14

11:23 p.m. — This one is OVER. The Bills come from behind and win the AFC East for the fourth consecutive year to claim the No. 2 seed in the AFC.

11:21 p.m. INTERCEPTION — One play later, Tagovailoa isn't so fortunate! He's picked off by Taylor Rapp on a pass that sailed too far to the left, and the Bills are going to win the AFC East against all odds.

11:20 p.m. — Hill takes a hard hit on an incompletion, and Tagovailoa is a bit fortunate that wasn't intercepted.

11:19 p.m. — Hill commits a bad drop, but it doesn't matter. Dane Jackson is called for pass interference and gifts Miami a first down. The Dolphins are out at the Bills' 40-yard line.

11:17 p.m. — The Bills do go for it, but Allen is ruled short after a long deliberation! The Dolphins will have another chance to go down the field and tie or win the game. 

11:15 p.m. — The Bills simply try to draw the Dolphins offside on fourth down. You'd have to think many coaches would have gone for it there, or kick the field goal. 

11:11 p.m. — Allen completes to Shakir, but it's 4th & 1 from the Dolphins' 37 at the two-minute warning. Could the Bills try and ice it here? 

11:09 p.m. — Wow, Allen picks up the first down with his legs, and the Bills get an added boost on a holding call against Jalen Ramsey. Buffalo is in position to win the AFC East, but it's not over yet. 

11:08 p.m. — Miami's defense has Buffalo on the ropes at 3rd & 13 with just over three minutes remaining.

11:04 p.m. — The Bills go for it inside their own territory and pick up the first down. Sean McDermott is trying to end this game with his offense. 

11:02 p.m. — The Bills run the tush push on 3rd & 1, but officials appear to be ruling Allen just short...

10:58 p.m. — The Dolphins go three-and-out again, and their offense continues to be a mess in the second half. The Bills have a chance to ice this game if they can put together a sustained scoring drive here.

Bills 21, Dolphins 14

10:52 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Dawson Knox extends for the touchdown! The Bills have their first lead of the night. It's 21-14. What a drive drawn up by Joe Brady.

10:51 p.m. — The Bills are inside the 5-yard line after Allen finds Shakir for a 23-yard gain. When he hasn't been turning the ball over, Allen has been special tonight. 

10:49 p.m. — Yet another big play by Dalton Kincaid takes the Bills into Dolphins territory. He's up to 84 yards on seven catches tonight. 

10:46 p.m. — Dane Jackson comes up with a huge pass breakup to force a Dolphins three-and-out. The Bills have a chance to wrestle back control of this game on this upcoming drive. 

10:43 p.m. — LB Cameron Goode was carted off with his leg immobilized after the play. Another notable injury for the Dolphins' defense, which lost Andrew Van Ginkel to a foot injury tonight.

Bills 14, Dolphins 14

10:38 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Hold on now! Deonte Harty takes it 95 yards all the way to the house to tie the game! What a return by Harty, who keeps the Bills' offense off the field by taking care of business himself. 

10:37 p.m. — The Dolphins gain back 16 yards, but that's not nearly enough. They will punt, and it's time for the Bills' offense to show something.

10:35 p.m. — A false start and now an illegal block have backed up the Dolphins to 2nd & 30. The Bills chose 2nd & 30 over 3rd & 15, which is a risk but could benefit Buffalo in the field position department. 

End of third quarter: Dolphins 14, Bills 7

10:27 p.m. — Tagovailoa starts the Dolphins' drive with a big completion to Hill.

10:26 p.m. FUMBLE — Allen is stripped by Christian Wilkins! Turnovers continue to doom the Bills any time they have an opportunity to score. That just cannot happen at this stage of the game. Miami takes over. 

10:25 p.m. — The drive quickly devolves into 3rd & 13 for the Bills...

10:23 p.m. — The Bills are into the red zone as Allen completes to Shakir down the middle. Buffalo appears to be adjusting to Miami's pressure, with Allen making quicker decisions. 

10:22 p.m. — Another completion to Kincaid, this time bringing up 3rd & Inches and a successful QB sneak. 

10:20 p.m. — Allen finds Kincaid on third down, moving well into Dolphins territory. The rookie has quickly become one of Allen's most reliable targets.

10:17 p.m. — Allen fits the ball through a tight window to get it to Trent Sherfield for a first down. That was an impressive throw. 

10:13 p.m. — Officials spot Braxton Berrios inches shy of the first down, and the Dolphins aren't in a position to go for it. The Bills' defense forces a quick punt.

10:08 p.m. — Allen gets sacked by Melvin Ingram on 3rd & 5, so the Bills get a combined zero points on their back-to-back drives. 

10:04 p.m. — The Bills are utilizing the running backs early in this half, between Fournette and Cook. Dolphins LB Andrew Van Ginkel is down, forcing an injury timeout.

End of first half: Dolphins 14, Bills 7

9:47 p.m. — Wow! Allen completes it to Ty Johnson, but Jerome Baker knocks him to the turf at the one-yard line to run out the clock on the half. The Bills will start the third quarter with the ball, but that's a huge wasted opportunity for Buffalo.

9:45 p.m. — The Bills pick up a first down, so they'll have multiple chances at the end zone (potentially) with 11 seconds remaining. 

9:42 p.m. — Cook drops what should've been a touchdown pass from Allen...

9:39 p.m. — Buffalo has 21 seconds to work with from the Miami 23. Now officials are checking whether Dalton Kincaid completed a catch on a short pass from Allen just to see where the clock should be...

9:38 p.m. — The Bills are taking advantage of the time the Dolphins left as Allen runs for 13 yards and hits Diggs for 17 more...Buffalo should at least get a field goal out of this, barring a turnover. 

Dolphins 14, Bills 7

9:31 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Tyreek Hill puts the Dolphins back in front! That was a tremendous drive for Miami's offense, and Hill is now up to 1,777 yards on the season. Most importantly, he gives the Dolphins a 14-7 lead.

9:29 p.m. — Some confusion as officials pick up a flag for an ineligible man downfield. It's 3rd & 1 from about the 3. 

9:27 p.m. — It's another big third down play for the Dolphins as Tagovailoa finds Cedrick Wilson for a 24-yard gain. Miami is 12 yards from the end zone.

9:24 p.m. — Miami will face a crucial 3rd & 3 out of the two-minute warning. The Dolphins are right on the edge of Jason Sanders' range. 

9:22 p.m. — The Dolphins are moving the ball well early on this drive, moving into Buffalo territory after a 14-yard completion to Durham Smythe. Wilson has been a major part of the gameplan as well, nearly splitting carries with Achane. 

9:18 p.m. — Rasul Douglas is injured one play into the Dolphins' drive. It isn't initially clear what happened to him, but he's been a massive piece of Buffalo's defense since his October trade out of Green Bay. 

Bills 7, Dolphins 7

9:13 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Unreal! Allen's pass is deflected high up in the air, and Trent Sherfield miraculously keeps his toes in-bounds to catch it in the back of the end zone for the touchdown. Because how else would the Bills score their first TD of the night? We're tied.

9:12 p.m. — Allen finally completes a downfield pass to Diggs, who does a great job of hauling in the ball close to the ground. It'll be 1st & Goal for the Bills. What a throw. 

9:11 p.m. — Allen gets Buffalo into Dolphins territory with a nice 10-yard run. 

9:09 p.m. — The Bills start their drive with a 17-yard completion to Dawson Knox. 

Dolphins 7, Bills 0

9:04 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — What a run by De'Von Achane! The rookie makes defenders miss on his way to the end zone for the Dolphins' first touchdown of the night. It's 7-0, Miami.

9:01 p.m. — No Raheem Mostert, no problem. Jeff Wilson Jr. rumbles his way for 13 yards to take Miami well into Bills territory.

9:00 p.m. — A huge third down conversion for the Dolphins as Tyreek Hill goes up and grabs a high pass from Tagovailoa for 23 yards. It's Hill's third catch of the night.

End of first quarter: Bills 0, Dolphins 0

8:54 p.m. INTERCEPTION — Allen looks downfield on 4th & 2, struggles to find the right opportunity, and is picked off in the end zone AGAIN. Gabe Davis might have had a shot at it, but he tripped himself up. The Dolphins will take over again, though the interception is worse for their field position than an incompletion would've been.

8:51 p.m. — Khalil Shakir skirts down the sideline for a huge gain! The Bills are into Dolphins territory after Shakir picks up 46 yards. That also gives Josh Allen his fourth consecutive 4,000-yard passing season. 

8:49 p.m. — Stefon Diggs, used pretty sparingly in recent weeks, burned Jalen Ramsey...but was overthrown by Allen. That connection is still broken. 

8:47 p.m. — Back-to-back passes from Tagovailoa fall incomplete, and the Dolphins are forced to punt after a promising stretch on that drive. It's the first punt of the game. 

8:44 p.m. — Tyreek Hill's first big play of the night gets the Dolphins closer to midfield...

8:43 p.m. — After trading penalties, the Dolphins make up for the yardage lost by Apple's decision on a nice pass to River Cracraft. 

8:39 p.m. — Apple made a potentially significant mistake by taking that ball out of the end zone instead of settling for a touchback, so the Bills will have the Dolphins pinned to start this drive. Still, zero points on the board for Buffalo is a tradeoff Miami will gladly take.

8:37 p.m. INTERCEPTION — Now Allen is picked off by Eli Apple in the end zone! One play after officials declined to call a pass-interference penalty Kader Kohou, the Dolphins' defense picks up a turnover to end the Bills' scoring threat. 

8:35 p.m. — Kincaid is up to 618 yards in his rookie season, despite limited usage early on. He's been a major part of Buffalo's late-year surge.

8:33 p.m. — Now the Bills are rolling, all the way to the edge of the red zone. Dalton Kincaid goes for 29 yards, followed immediately by an impressive 14-yatd run for James Cook. 

8:31 p.m. — Leonard Fournette is already in Playoff Lenny form as he bursts ahead for a first down. 

8:27 p.m. INTERCEPTION — Tagovailoa takes a downfield shot and is intercepted by Christian Benford! Call it an arm punt, maybe, but the Bills' defense makes a big play to end the Dolphins' opening drive.

8:25 p.m. — Alright, now that's an actual hot start. De'Von Achane takes off for 16 yards to quickly gain the yardage back and pick up a first down. 

8:24 p.m. — Miami's offense is off to a hot start with a penalty for an ineligible receiver (Robert Hunt) downfield.

8:22 p.m. — The Bills win the toss and defer, so Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins will start with the ball. 

7:54 p.m. — It's expected to be near 20 degrees in Kansas City next weekend, depending on start time, so winning tonight and getting to play a home game in Miami weather would be a huge boost for the Dolphins.

7:33 p.m. — It's been 15 years since the Dolphins last won the AFC East. A victory tonight would arguably be the team's biggest since 2008, considering they haven't won a playoff game in that span. 

7:25 p.m. — The scenarios are a bit simpler now. If the Bills win, they host the Steelers next weekend while the Dolphins go to Kansas City. If the Dolphins win, they'll do this all again next week and host the Bills while the Steelers would go to Kansas City. 

7:15 p.m. — All 14 playoff teams are set. All NFC wild-card matchups are set, plus the Texans-Browns matchup in the AFC. This game will determine the rest of the slate.

6:55 p.m. — As expected, WR Jaylen Waddle and RB Raheem Mostert are out for Miami. The Dolphins will be shorthanded tonight, with both Tyreek Hill and De'Von Achane the focus of the offense.

6:30 p.m. — One of the burning questions tonight is the usage of Stefon Diggs, who has seen his role scaled back significantly since OC Ken Dorsey was fired in November. Will the Bills continue to rely on James Cook and the running game?

6:20 p.m. — In case you missed it, the stakes won't be as high as they could've been tonight. Both the Bills and Dolphins are into the playoffs, though the difference between the No. 2 seed and either No. 6 or No. 7 is still pretty massive.

Bills vs. Dolphins start time

  • Date: Sunday, Jan. 7
  • Start time: 8:20 p.m. ET

Sunday night's season finale between the Bills and Dolphins will kick off in primetime at 8:20 p.m. ET from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Fla. 

MORE: Full NFL playoff schedule for 2024

What channel is Bills vs. Dolphins on today?

  • Date: Sunday, Jan. 7
  • National TV: NBC (U.S.) | TSN 1/5, CTV, RDS (Canada)
  • TV channel (Buffalo): WGRZ (Channel 2)
  • TV channel (Miami): WTVJ (Channel 6)
  • Live stream: Peacock, Fubo (U.S.) | DAZN (in Canada)

Bills vs. Dolphins will air on NBC nationally. Fans in the Buffalo market can watch on local NBC affiliate WGRZ (Channel 2), while those in the Miami market can watch on local affiliate WTVJ (Channel 6). Mike Tirico (play-by-play announcer), Cris Collinsworth (color analyst) and Melissa Stark (sideline reporter) will be on the call for NBC.

Viewers can also stream the game on Peacock or with Fubo, which offers a free trial so you can try before you buy.

Fans in Canada can watch Bills vs. Dolphins on TSN 1/5 and CTV in English and RDS in French. Viewers can stream every game via DAZN, which carries NFL Game Pass.

Dan Treacy

Dan Treacy Photo

Dan Treacy is a content producer for Sporting News, joining in 2022 after graduating from Boston University. He founded @allsportsnews on Instagram in 2012 and has written for Lineups and Yardbarker.