Bills vs. Dolphins NFL Week 2 Picks and Predictions

A classic AFC East rivalry is spiced up this week, after to unexpected results on opening weekend. Defending division champion Buffalo saw its path to the Super Bowl hit a pothole when the Bills were shocked by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins got a surprising win over the New England Patriots to move into the top spot in the East.

Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins

Sunday, September 19, 2021 - 1:00 PM ET at Hard Rock Stadium

Bills-Dolphins is a classic AFC East rivalry that goes back to the days of Jim Kelly vs. Dan Marino. The Week Two showdown got spiced up a little more this week after the surprising opening weekend results for both teams.

The Bills’ trip back to the Super Bowl for the first time since the Kelly days hit an unexpected pothole when Buffalo was upset at home by the Steelers. Miami, expecting to have a rebuilding year, went to Foxboro and knocked off the New England Patriots to move into sole possession of first place in the division.

Buffalo will look to set things right this week and take a step toward defending its AFC East title, while the Dolphins will try to show that last week wasn’t a fluke.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy8lvMLsaq0

Oh No, Buffalo

After last season’s breakout performance, Josh Allen was considered a potential MVP candidate entering this year. The Steelers were able to keep Allen and the explosive Buffalo offense in check, however. Pittsburgh sacked Allen three times and held Buffalo to 16 points.

Allen looked uncomfortable much of the game as Pittsburgh dropped extra defenders into coverage. Despite that, the Bills still put up impressive offensive numbers. They outgained the Steelers by 120 yards, held the ball for more than six minutes longer and had more first downs in the game. They just couldn’t translate that into points. Twice the Bills got the ball to start drives in Pittsburgh territory, and they managed to put up just one field goal.

Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills. Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images/AFP

The Bills' defense was solid, allowing just 253 yards to the Steelers. The line stepped up, despite missing Star Lotulelei, who missed the opener with a calf injury—his status for this week is still up in the air. The line sacked Ben Roethlisberger once, hit him three other times and had two tackles for loss on running backs as the Steelers struggled to get the ground game going.

“I thought our entire D-line did what we were hoping would happen, and that was control the line of scrimmage,” said defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.

Offense Clicks

Miami used its first draft pick on Alabama receiver Jaylen Waddle, reuniting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with his college teammate. The move seemed to work based on the results in the opener. Waddle’s first NFL snap was a 17-yard completion from Tagovailoa, and the quarterback had a 157 passer rating when targeting the rookie. Waddle finished with four catches, a touchdown and 61yards. He also showed an ability to get separation from defensive backs, an area where Miami receivers struggled last year.

The Dolphins didn’t come out of the opener unscathed. Defensive tackle Raekwon Davis went down with a knee injury in the first quarter. He was fitted with a brace and returned to the sideline, but coach Brian Flores opted not to return him to the field.

“We held him out; that’s the decision we made,” Flores said. “We’re running tests now. Nothing is more important than the health of the player.”

Davis’ status still hasn’t been determined for this week.

Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins in Miami Gardens, Florida. Michael Reaves/Getty Images/AFP

“I’ll have more information later on today and the coming days,” Flores said. “Raekwon is a tough kid. He’s eager to get back out there. We’ll take it one day at a time.”

On offense, the team is anticipating the return of left tackle Austin Jackson, who was cleared from the COVID list before the opener but sat out the game, since he hadn’t practiced. Rookie Liam Eichenberg looked good in his place, but Flores is still planning to return Jackson to the lineup when he’s ready.

The team will get back receiver Will Fuller, who completed an NFL suspension by sitting out the opener. Flores wasn’t sure how much time Fuller would get, however, as he works his way back into the flow of the offense.

The Buffalo Bills. Jamie Squire/Getty Images/AFP

The Pick

Josh Allen may not be on his way to an MVP award, but that doesn’t mean last year was a fluke. For your NFL picks, look for the Bills offense to bounce back this week, and for the Buffalo defense to make life difficult for a young group of Miami skill position players.

NFL Pick: (visit our Sportsbook Review)

*The pick reflects the line at the moment the writer made the play, the odds at the beginning of this article show the live line movement. Since the lines might vary, don’t forget to refer back to our live odds.