Week 2 of the NFL season brings us a pivotal AFC East matchup as the 1-0 Miami Dolphins host the 1-0 Buffalo Bills for Thursday Night Football. The Bills will be looking to extend their recent dominance over Miami, having won 11 of the last 12 meetings, including the last four.
However, the Dolphins are hoping to finally dethrone the four-time reigning division champs.
Oddsmakers favor the Dolphins by 2.5 points at home, with the over/under set at 49 points. Expert predictions are divided, with some favoring a narrow Bills victory and others leaning towards a Dolphins win.
Injuries are a significant factor for both teams. Miami is dealing with a hamstring issue to star cornerback Jalen Ramsey, limiting his practice time.
Running backs Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane are also battling injuries and have missed practice. The Bills have their own injury concerns, with quarterback Josh Allen nursing a sore hand, though he has been a full participant in practice.
Buffalo will also be without cornerback Taron Johnson and defensive end Dawuane Smoot.
Key matchups to watch include how the Dolphins’ secondary, hampered by Ramsey’s injury, will contain Josh Allen. The performance of Miami’s running backs against a stout Bills defense will also be crucial, especially if Mostert and Achane are limited.
On the other side, the Bills’ offensive line will need to protect Allen and create running lanes against a formidable Dolphins defensive front.
While the Dolphins have home-field advantage, the Bills’ recent success against them and Allen’s talent make them a constant threat. With both teams potentially limited in the run game, the quarterback who makes fewer mistakes could be the deciding factor in this AFC East showdown.