Josh Allen’s 3 TDs, Terrel Bernard’s Game-Saving Pick Seal Bills’ 31-21 Win Over Struggling Dolphins!

Josh Allen’s 3 TDs, Terrel Bernard’s Game-Saving Pick Seal Bills’ 31-21 Win Over Struggling Dolphins!

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard diagnosed the play as soon as Tua Tagovailoa dropped back in the pocket.

With the game on the line and the Dolphins threatening to tie the score with three minutes left, Bernard bolted left and stepped in front of receiver Jaylen Waddle to intercept Tagovailoa’s pass, securing a 31-21 win and extending Buffalo’s dominance over their AFC East rival on Thursday night.

“It’s honestly something that we have seen on tape,” Bernard said, crediting position coach Al Holcomb for showing film of similar plays. “That’s one of their top quick-game concepts. We’re in a three-deep zone and I just saw it and broke on it.”

Credit also went to rookie defensive tackle Deone Walker — filling in for injured Ed Oliver — for deflecting the pass.

Josh Allen threw three touchdowns, including a go-ahead 15-yarder to Khalil Shakir with 7:17 left. James Cook ran for 108 yards and a 2-yard score, becoming the first player to rush for over 100 yards against Miami in 36 games. The Bills (3-0) have now won 14 of 15 meetings against the Dolphins, including seven straight.

“Good win, never easy,” coach Sean McDermott said. “I thought the grit, the mental toughness of our football team was on display, particularly in the fourth quarter.”

The Dolphins (0-3) remain winless for the first time since 2019, raising questions about coach Mike McDaniel’s job security.

“I’m never proud of a loss. It wasn’t good enough,” McDaniel said.

Tagovailoa’s interception — his 10th against Buffalo — came with Miami down 28-21 at Buffalo’s 21-yard line. Earlier, a costly roughing-the-punter penalty by Zach Sieler extended a Bills drive that ended with Shakir’s touchdown.

Allen finished 22 of 28 for 213 yards, improving to 14-2 against Miami with 43 career TD passes against them. Dalton Kincaid added a 20-yard score, rookie Jackson Hawes grabbed his first career TD, and Cook extended his rushing TD streak to seven games, tying a team record.

Buffalo has now won 13 straight regular-season home games dating back to November 2023.

Next up: Buffalo hosts the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 28, while Miami faces the Jets on Sept. 29.