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From the Locker Room | Bills' captains make key plays in Week 3 win over Dolphins

Sep 19, 2025 at 07:52 AM

Patrick Warren

Contributing Correspondent

The difference between winning and losing in the NFL often comes down to just a few critical moments.

On Thursday night, the Bills – led by team captains quarterback Josh Allen and linebacker Terrel Bernard – made the plays necessary to knock off the Miami Dolphins 31-21, becoming the first team this season to claim a 3-0 record.

"The Dolphins played a real good game and our guys made a couple more plays," head coach Sean McDermott said after the game. "I thought the grit, the mental toughness of our football team was on display throughout the game, in particular the fourth quarter."

After the Bills took a seven-point lead in the third quarter, Miami stormed back to tie the game in the early minutes of the fourth quarter.

Allen and the Bills offense didn't blink, answering Miami's touchdown with a score of their own after taking advantage of a costly roughing the kicker penalty from the Dolphins. At the Dolphins 15-yard line, Allen threw a screen pass to wide receiver Khalil Shakir, who whizzed by the Miami defense and into the end zone to give the Bills a lead they would not relinquish.

"It's awesome," Allen said after the game. "Khalil does everything the right way, constantly following the balls, constantly being in the right spots. He makes some unbelievable plays for us."

Allen, as is to be expected of the 2024 NFL Most Valuable Player, made a few unbelievable plays of his own Thursday night. His touchdown pass to Shakir was the final of three Allen had on the day, and marked his 200th career passing touchdown.

His 198th came on a well-placed ball to tight end Dalton Kincaid, who barreled his way into the end zone to get the Bills on the scoreboard in the first quarter. No. 199 went to a different tight end – rookie Jackson Hawes – who scored his first NFL touchdown on a shovel pass from Allen.

"Yeah, just extending the play, a little naked action," Allen said. "[Hawes] did a good job of just staying in concert with me and just got the corner there. I think it was just cool to just kind of commit one way, and he stayed alive for me and made a play."

The Bills' game-winning plays weren't just made on the offensive side of the ball.

After the Bills took the lead in the fourth quarter, Miami's offense made its way into Buffalo territory thanks to a few connections between quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. With a fresh set of downs at the Buffalo 21-yard line, the Dolphins were in position to tie the game with just over three minutes remaining.

Tagovailoa took the snap and almost immediately fired a pass intended for Waddle. Instead, Bernard jumped the pass for his first interception of the season, returning it 24 yards to prevent the Dolphins from getting back into the game.

Like many game-defining moments, this one was a result of Bernard and the Bills defensive staff's elite preparation.

"It's honestly something that we have seen on tape. It's a common route around the league," Bernard said. "But, you know, I want to give a shoutout to Al Holcomb, the linebackers coach. He put [the play] on tape a few times. We've worked that play, our offense runs that play and he basically told me if I see it, go."

Bernard wasn't the only member of the Bills defense who made an impact on the interception.

Rookie defensive tackle Deone Walker brushed aside a Dolphins offensive lineman and ran towards Tagovailoa, throwing his hands in the air as the quarterback dropped back to pass. Walker saw increased action with defensive tackle Ed Oliver, and made an impact when it mattered most.

"When I came off to the sideline, I think that was the first thing that Ed told me. He said Deone won quick and got a pressure and made him get the ball out quick," Bernard said. "So, it takes a full team effort. It's hard to win in this league every week. That's a good team, explosive offense, so to come out here on Thursday night on a short week and get it done, it feels good."