Preseason Super Bowl Contenders Look to Bounce Back
Buffalo entered the season as the heavy favorite to win a second straight AFC East division crown with even bigger aspirations as Super Bowl Contenders. But it’s Miami who enters Sunday’s Week 2 meeting in South Beach with a 1-0 record, not the Bills. Buffalo couldn’t sustain a 10-0 halftime lead in a 23-16 loss to Pittsburgh, while Miami survived a 17-16 win over division foes New England.
Game Odds
According to Sportsbooks, Buffalo enters as a 3.5-point favorite. Bettors will have -110 odds on either team to cover the spread. Buffalo is -180 on the MoneyLine, while those backing the Dolphins to win outright will have +160 odds. The Over/Under point total is at 47.5 with -110 odds on either side of the line.
Here to Stay?
It was no secret that Xavien Howard was not happy with his current contract situation during the offseason. Despite wanting to explore a trade, Howard is still donning the Dolphins jersey and Miami is glad. Howard saved the day last week by forcing and recovering a fumble inside the red zone late in the fourth quarter in Week 1. Howard led the league last season with 10 interceptions but proved he can do more than just defend the pass.
Numbers Do Lie
Buffalo outgained Pittsburgh by more than 100 yards from scrimmage last week and converted nearly 50 percent of third-down conversions. Bills superstar quarterback Josh Allen passed for 270 yards and added 44 more on the ground to outgain the Steelers all by himself but the Bills still could not come out with the win.
Fourth Quarter Collapse
Buffalo allowed 17 points in the fourth quarter in the opening loss. The biggest play of the game came on special teams. Miles Killebrew penetrated through the Bills offensive line, blocked a punt before Ulysees Gilbert scooped up the ball and returned it nine yards for a touchdown. The special-teams score gave the Steelers a 20-10 lead with just under 10 minutes left on the clock and the Bills were unable to recover.
Tua Time
In his first game as the unquestioned starter for the ‘fins, Tua Tagovailoa tossed a touchdown and ran for another to account for Miami’s only two touchdowns of the game. Tagovailoa found his former Alabama teammate Jaylen Waddle for a short 3-yard score, breaking a 10-10 tie early in the third quarter. The second-year QB opened the scoring with a 3-yard run in the first frame.
Tagovailoa finished with 202 yards through the air completing 16 of 27 passes.
Devante Parker hauled in four passes for 81 yards while Waddle finished with 61 receiving yards.
Buffalo Stats
Devin Singletary led the Bills’ ground game with 72 yards on 11 totes. Stefon Diggs hauled in a game-high nine receptions for 69 yards, while Cole Beasley (60) and Gabriel Davis (40) combined for 100 yards. Davis accounted for Allen’s only touchdown of the day with a 3-yard score.
Game Trends
Buffalo has won seven of its last 10 meetings against the Dolphins including the last five. The Bills are 9-3 against the spread in their last 12 games, while Miami is 10-3 ATS in its last 13 contests.
The Over has hit in the last five meetings between the two teams, while the Over has hit in four of the last six matchups in Miami.
Buffalo has covered the spread in its last six games against AFC East foes.
Miami is 6-0 ATS in its last six games but is just 2-7 ATS in the last nine September contests.
Free Bet: Buffalo -3.5 (-110)