De’Von Achane took the handoff, squeezed through the hole, blasted past a diving defender at midfield and outraced the rest of the Bills’ defense to the end zone.
That 59-yard touchdown run with 6:31 left punctuated the Miami Dolphins’ stunning 30-13 win against the Buffalo Bills Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.
“They pop a run and then pretty much the game was over after that,” said Bills coach Sean McDermott. “It looked like we had somebody in the hole right there, and he’s elusive, Achane.”
Achane wasn’t finished, either.
Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (28) celebrates with offensive tackle Patrick Paul (52) after scoring against the Buffalo Bills in the second half of their NFL game at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
For his fourth-quarter encore, a little more than three minutes later, the 5-foot-9, 191-pound running back dashed around left end 35 yards for another touchdown.
He finished with 22 carries for 174 yards and two touchdowns — the second-highest rushing total of his three-year career. Achane gained 203 yards on 18 carries against the Broncos on Sept. 24, 2023. He also caught six passes for 51 yards Sunday against the Bills.
“Every time you can get someone like that, a playmaker, on your team, you get the ball in his hands, and you know what he’s capable of doing,” said Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, pointing to the two fourth-quarter touchdowns Achane gave the offense.
“But it’s not just that. It’s also in the pass game where he helps us thrive as well. So having someone like that who can line up at running back, at slot or at receiver, I think that tells you a lot about, you know, the playmaker he is.”
Achane had been limited to 67 yards rushing each of the past two games. But it was clear Sunday he would be a key part of their offensive success.
On the Dolphins’ first touchdown drive, a 12-play, 92-yard march that chewed up nearly half the first quarter, Achane carried the ball on four consecutive plays. He ran over right tackle for 7 yards and then for 15, then scampered 9 yards around the left end and 3 up the middle, helping to set up Tagovailoa’s 9-yard touchdown pass to Malik Washington.
“When you’re running the ball good, I feel like, don’t go away from it,” Achane said. “I feel like we complemented each other, the passing game, the running game. I feel like when we’re a balanced offense, we can do whatever we want.”
Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb said he enjoyed watching Achane carry the load and the offense keep the Bills’ defense on the field with time-consuming drives.
“I thought that was great,” Chubb said. “They felt the elements today.”
Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (28) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in the second half of their NFL game at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
On Dolphins’ field-goal drive in the second quarter, which lasted six minutes, Achane raced 14 yards with the Dolphins facing second-and-9 at their own 6, and later caught a short pass from Tagovailoa for a 10-yard gain.
Achane said his best run of the game Sunday was probably his 59-yard burst, which was his longest run since he ripped off a 61-yarder against the Jets in the 2024 season finale.
“Just making guys miss in the hole,” Achane said, explaining why that was the best of his carries Sunday. “The second [touchdown], that was blocked pretty good, so I didn’t have to do a lot.”
As with teammate Jaylen Waddle, there were reports that teams tried to trade for Achane before the deadline this past week. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said after Sunday’s game that “we never once thought about those dudes not as a Dolphin.” Achane’s thoughts on the matter?
“I feel good, I want to be here,” he said of not being traded. “No matter our record, this is where I want to be, and I was glad neither one of us was gone.”