ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- This was the type of performance Reggie Bush envisioned when he joined the Dolphins — and what the New Orleans Saints were hoping for when they drafted him.

Validating his status as a featured back capable of carrying a full workload, Bush rushed for a career-high 203 yards and one touchdown in Sunday’s 30-23 victory over the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

“It felt good,” said Bush, who produced the fourth 200-yard rushing game in franchise history. “Obviously, personal stats are good to have, and it’s good to do, but the most important thing is to get the win, get the ‘W,’ and finish strong in the division.”

Bush also had a career-high 25 carries, a benchmark he did not reach even during his Heisman Trophy-winning season at USC. And with the temperature below freezing and snow falling for most of the afternoon, Bush’s engine ran hot until the very end. Having already exceeded his previous career-high of 126 yards set during his rookie season, Bush broke free for a 76-yard touchdown on his final carry, the longest gain — rushing, receiving or returning — of his career.

After surpassing 100 yards just once in his first five seasons with the New Orleans Saints, Bush has now accomplished the feat four times in his first season with the Dolphins and in each of the past three weeks.

“I knew, given the opportunity, that I’d be able to show I could be an every-down back,” Bush said. “It definitely means a lot. It means that I’m doing everything that I expected to be doing.”

Bush is now on the cusp of his first 1,000-yard season, needing 27 yards over the final two games to reach the mark, and Sunday’s game raised his yards-per-carry average to 5.0.

Over the past eight games, Bush has rushed for 741 yards. The least-productive game during that stretch happened four weeks ago when the Bills came to Miami and limited Bush to 32 yards on 15 carries. That was one reason the Dolphins were determined to establish the running game Sunday.

“We talked about, before the game, controlling the line of scrimmage,” interim coach Todd Bowles said. “In this kind of weather, in December, you’ve got to be able to come in and run the ball. The challenge was to our offensive line and running backs. They came through and did a good job for us.”

Bush was eager to praise an offensive line that paved the way for Miami’s season-high 254 rushing yards (rookie Daniel Thomas had 42 yards on 11 carries) despite being without starting left tackle Jake Long.

“The offensive line did a tremendous job [Sunday]. It really opened up the holes for me, and really gave me a chance to go out there and be a playmaker,” Bush said. “Those guys are amazing. It’s really been a pleasure and honor running behind them this year.”

Bush was so revved up Sunday that he couldn’t help himself from sliding into the end zone on his final run and drawing a penalty for excessive celebration.

“I play FIFA a lot on PlayStation,” Bush said. “Just having fun, just enjoying the moment.”