271 regular season games have been played. Only one remains. How No. 272 plays out will determine two major pieces of the puzzle in the AFC playoff picture.
The Dolphins enter Sunday night already assured of a playoff spot. There is still plenty on the line for Mike McDaniel’s team. Miami is seeking its first AFC East title since 2008, which would give Tua Tagovailoa and Co. home-field advantage through at least the first two rounds of the playoffs. The Dolphins would then host the No. 7 seed next weekend.
A loss, however, would send the Dolphins to Kansas City to face the Chiefs in a wild-card matchup the franchise certainly doesn’t see as ideal.
MORE: Watch Bills vs. Dolphins live with Fubo (free trial)
While it’s been a fun season for Miami, numerous injuries have affected key players in recent weeks. Some are minor, including ailments for Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill, but the Dolphins have lost their top two pass-rushers to season-ending injuries and might be without WR Jaylen Waddle among others on Sunday night.
The Bills, on the other hand, are clicking just at the right time. They have won four straight and can secure the No. 2 seed in the AFC with a win despite facing distant odds to even reach the playoffs as recently as a few weeks ago. Buffalo nearly entered the night facing potential elimination, but they can play with a weight off of their shoulders after the Jaguars’ loss allowed them to clinch a playoff berth earlier in the day.
Given how the rest of the AFC has shaken out, the Bills would enter the playoffs with realistic hopes of winning the conference if they earn the No. 2 seed. That path becomes extraordinarily more difficult if Buffalo winds up in the No. 7 seed and has to play all of its playoff games on the road.
MORE: Updated Bills playoff picture
The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights from Bills vs. Dolphins on “Sunday Night Football.” Follow along with all of the key moments below.
Bills vs. Dolphins score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| Bills | – | – | – | – | – |
| Dolphins | – | – | – | – | – |
Bills vs. Dolphins live updates, results, highlights from ‘Sunday Night Football’
(All times Eastern)
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.
