Top 3 Things We Learned

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Top 3 things we learned from Bills vs. Dolphins | Week 3 TNF

Sep 19, 2025 at 02:04 AM

Alec White

Content Manager

QB Josh Allen led the Bills offense on a go-ahead touchdown drive midway through the fourth quarter, connecting with WR Khalil Shakir to go up 28-21. LB Terrel Bernard put the finishing touches on Buffalo's third straight win and the Bills went home with a 31-21 victory.

Here are the top three things we learned from Bills vs. Dolphins

1 — Two members of the "four-headed snake" bite the Dolphins

Bills tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Jackson Hawes were major contributors in Buffalo's primetime win, each recording a touchdown in the first half.

Allen looked Kincaid's way twice on the team's opening series, connecting with him on a nine-yard reception to pick up a first down to the Miami 21. A play later, Kincaid expertly sold like he was going to block for a screen, then swiftly turned up field, made an acrobatic catch and d

"We'd love to get everybody involved early. There were just some opportunities for him and he made the most of them," Allen said of Kincaid.

Kincaid led the team in receiving with 66 yards on six grabs, the first time he's been Buffalo's leading receiver since Week 17, 2023. He's now up to 13 catches, 151 yards and two TDs in three games.

Allen extended his streak of multiple passing touchdowns against the Dolphins to eight games on the Bills' next drive with a nifty shovel pass to rookie Jackson Hawes who celebrated his first career touchdown with a spike.

"I knew we had that play in, so I was kind of planning something," Hawes shared. "But in the moment, my mind I don't even know where it was. It was just this is amazing and just thought to go with the spike."

Not only did Hawes have the awareness to stay connected to Allen throughout the play and make himself available for the shovel pass, but he also provided a boost to his QB at the snap with a pancake block of Dolphins OLB Matthew Judon.

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The fact that Jackson Hawes dumps Judon with a block before catching this TD makes it a perfect sequence for his first professional trip to the endzone #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/xikVjsHZHq
— MeRk (@Merk256) September 19, 2025

"I did give him a good lil' pop," Hawes laughed.

Hawes' role through the first three games has primarily as a blocker but make no mistake: the rookie has good hands, too.

"Us three (Kincaid, Knox) and Reggie at fullback, we're a legitimate four-headed snake," Hawes said.

"How can you not leave it all out there for a guy like that?"

Dalton Kincaid gives Josh Allen his flowers after a win against the Dolphins ❤️ pic.twitter.com/0g7qH34TkH
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 19, 2025

2 — Bernard's preparation pays off

During the week of practice and film study, the Bills paid special attention to a specific play the Dolphins liked to run. Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa would throw to his right, either to the running back in the flat on his side or over the middle to a receiver on a stick route. Bernard described the play as "one of their top quick game concepts".

"I want to give a shout-out to Al Holcomb, the linebacker's coach. He put it on tape a few times," Bernard said. "We've worked that play, our offense runs that play, and he basically told me if I see it, go."

Driving in Bills territory with a chance to tie the game, Miami turned to their quick passing game concept and Bernard recognized it immediately. The linebacker jumped the route on a pass intended for WR Jaylen Waddle, stepping in front to make the interception.

We're in a three-deep zone and I just saw it and broke on it," Bernard explained.

Buffalo's defensive captain was all over the field throughout the game, too. Bernard had the second-most tackles on the team. He felt the entire defense was confident they could come away with the stop at the end of the game.

"Just building throughout the first few quarters and getting an understanding of what's going on, I think it helps us play a little bit faster," he said. "And once the second half rolls around, the fourth quarter rolls around, we feel like we have an idea of what's going on. And that split second is what helps you make plays."

3 — Thursday night dominance + success vs. Miami continues

While Thursday night was far from Buffalo's best performance, the Bills reached a number of key milestones in the win:

The Bills moved to 3-0 for the second consecutive season.
The Bills improved to 10-1 against Miami since 2020.
Head coach Sean McDermott improved to 9-0 vs. Miami at home.
Josh Allen now has 45 TDs in 15 career games against the Dolphins. It's the most total TDs vs a single opponent in the first 15 career matchups in NFL history.
James Cook III has 20 rush TDs in his last 18 games (most in the NFL since the start of 2024)
Josh Allen now has multiple pass TD in 8 straight home games against Dolphins.
James Cook III had a rush TD for the 7th straight game, tying a Bills record.
Josh Allen is 8-0 in his career on Thursday Night Football.