The NFL’s second week of the 2024-25 season begins with an AFC East showdown on Thursday Night Football. The Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins won their Week 1 games in exciting fashion, and the team that ends up on top tonight could end up with sole possession of the division lead if the New England Patriots lose to the Seattle Seahawks.
AFC East Standings
- Miami Dolphins 1-0
- New England Patriots 1-0
- Buffalo Bills 1-0
- New York Jets 0-1
The Dolphins narrowly won their first game at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars, while the Bills survived a thriller in Buffalo versus the Arizona Cardinals. Miami is favored to win by 2 points at home, but should they be?
Buffalo Bills Miami Dolphins Betting Line
- Point Spread: Dolphins -2.0, Bills +2.0
- Moneyline Odds: Dolphins -140, Bills +120
- Over/Under: 49.0
- Kickoff: 8:15 PM
- Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Before anyone goes rushing off to bet on the Dolphins to cover, keep in mind that the Bills have beaten Miami 11 out of the last 12 times they’ve played. The most recent Dolphins win was by 2 points on September 25th, 2022, almost two years ago.
While the Bills struggled to overcome a sub-par Cardinals franchise last Sunday, the Jaguars had the Dolphins on the ropes, blowing several opportunities to put the game away. Still, tough wins are what separates playoff contenders from also-rans, so a notch in the victory column is still evidence of a team’s moxie.
Miami’s offense has a similar look to last season, but running back Raheem Mostert will miss tonight’s game due to a chest injury. Second-year phenom De’von Achane is questionable with an ankle injury and will be a game-time decision.
Buffalo’s Josh Allen banged up his hand against Arizona but is clear to suit up this evening.
Both Allen and Tua are projected for north of two touchdowns based on the current NFL prop bets on the board. MIA WR Tyreek Hill and running back Jeff Wilson are the only other players with favorable touchdown odds.
Wilson is playing in place of Mostert in the Dolphins’ backfield.
Our Prediction For Thursday Night Football
While our staff usually has faith in Miami’s explosive offense, we can’t ignore their historical performance against the Bills, even with Hill, Tagovailoa, and Waddle on board.
We’re betting on the Bills to cover the two points and will continue to side with them until Miami gets over the hump and proves they can not only trade punches with the big boys of the division but come out on top routinely.
Sources:
- BetOnline NFL Sportsbook (Review)
- Democrat & Chronicle
