In their first primetime game and AFC East rivalry game of the year, the Buffalo Bills will open against the Miami Dolphins. Football on Thursday evening (TNF) tonight at 8:15 p.m. EDT. If you’re hoping to catch tonight’s game, make sure you have an active Amazon Prime account that includes Prime Video — because that’s where Bills vs. Dolphins will be streaming.

Both teams will look to build on their Week 1 victories in what should be a dramatic TNF opener. The Bills secured a narrow 34-28 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, with quarterback Josh Allen scoring four touchdowns in an explosive performance. On the other hand, the Dolphins narrowly edged the Jacksonville Jaguars, with a strong defensive performance that limited their opponents to just 267 yards in a 20-17 victory.

FanDuel Bills vs Dolphins oddsand betting basics

The current odds (at the time of publication) for this matchup suggest a tight game, with the Bills considered 2.5-point underdogs. This spread shows that bookmakers see the Dolphins as the slightly stronger team, needing to win by at least three points to cover the spread. Additionally, the betting line shows the Bills at +120 and the Dolphins at -142. This essentially means that if you bet $100 on the Bills and they win, your total payout is $220 (your $100 bet plus $120 profit). Conversely, the Dolphins would need to bet $142 to win $100.

The over/under bet for the game is set at 48.5 points. This metric tells bettors the total points scored by both teams. They can choose whether they believe the total will be over or under that mark. A line favoring either outcome – with the over at -115 and the under at -105 – indicates that bookmakers expect the total to fluctuate around that midpoint, reflecting confidence in a potentially high-scoring game.

This is the first time the Bills have been underdogs this season. Buffalo had an 8-11 record against the spread in the 2023 season.

Bills at Dolphins: Analysis of recent performances

The Football on Thursday evening The battle is even more exciting considering its implications for both teams. The Bills have consistently dominated the Dolphins since Allen’s arrival. The lack of a healthy roster, especially due to Allen’s hand injury, raises concerns about whether they can maintain their game efficiency. Despite Allen’s stellar performance in Week 1 and his absence from play in Week 2, this injury could pose a challenge for the Bills as they must compete against Miami’s aggressive and fast-paced offense.

Sam Navarro – Imagn Images

The Dolphins, buoyed by their defensive performance against the Jaguars, face challenges of their own with key players injured. Running backs De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert have both missed practice — and Mostert has now been ruled out, which could significantly impact their offensive strategy. Miami’s success depends on its ability to effectively utilize speed and playmaking skills, particularly from star receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

The Bills have been without cornerback Taron Johnson and defensive end Dawuane Smoot, further complicating their defensive strategy against Miami’s offense.

Bills vs. Dolphins – historical context and rivalry

The Bills-Dolphins rivalry is marked by a clear historical trend: Since Allen was drafted, the Bills have overwhelmingly dominated the Dolphins, especially at home. Miami has struggled to win against a Buffalo team that combines offensive firepower with a robust defensive strategy, mimicking the historic dominance of the Brady-led New England Patriots over the Bills for two decades.

The importance of Josh Allen

In the battle for AFC East and playoff spots, Josh Allen’s performance is paramount. Allen is the favorite for NFL MVP and will need to have a stellar season for the Bills to remain competitive in the AFC East – a division where the Dolphins boast an impressive offensive lineup and the Jets appear to be on the rise. For Buffalo, Allen’s health and performance will determine not only their immediate prospects against Miami, but the course of the entire season.

If Allen can’t put together a convincing season, the Bills risk falling behind in the division, especially given the depth of talent among their rivals.

BILL INGRAM/THE PALM BEACH POST/USA TODAY NETWORK

Spence’s conclusion:

You’ve probably heard the saying, “To be the best, you have to beat the best,” and that’s especially true when it comes to the Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins. Since the arrival of quarterback Josh Allen, Buffalo has always outplayed Miami.

I don’t expect a turnaround tonight. Although the Dolphins have an impressive roster with plenty of offensive talent, they face major hurdles — primarily due to injuries to their running backs. In addition, Miami’s defense has shown weaknesses of late and seems to be a step slower than desired.

Recent history shows that the Bills have performed well against the Dolphins under head coach Sean McDermott. Despite the big names on the roster and the high expectations year after year, Miami seems unable to translate its strengths into victories against Buffalo.

When the two teams meet in South Beach, I expect another display of dominance from the Bills, especially with Josh Allen heading home to visit his kids. His ability to exploit gaps in the defense and create high-scoring offenses will prove crucial.

I expect the Bills to come out on top with a final score of 34-21.showing that they are still the team to beat in the AFC East.