The Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins are set for what should be a highly entertaining AFC East showdown on Thursday Night Football. While the rivals are focused on the early division lead, fantasy football managers are dreaming of some monster scores to start their week.
Both the Bills and Dolphins feature high-powered offenses, led by quarterbacks Josh Allen and Tua Tagovailoa, and some question marks on defense. The result should be a shootout with plenty of fantasy points to go around.
Buffalo and Miami will kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday. The game from Hard Rock Stadium will be broadcast on Amazon Prime Video.
Bills-Dolphins Fantasy Football Outlook (Week 2)
Stud: Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill
Hill lived up to expectations as an early first-round fantasy pick in Week 1. The eight-time Pro Bowler cooked the Jacksonville Jaguars to the tune of seven catches for 130 yards and a touchdown. His 12 targets were also tied for the NFL’s second-highest total of the opening week.
Tyreek Hill. 80 yards for a TD!
📺: #JAXvsMIA on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/fNSbBgqRVI— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
The 30-year-old Georgia native’s high volume combined with his unmatched game-breaking ability makes him a virtual can’t-miss fantasy starter. His worst fantasy game last year came against the Bills in Week 4, and he still managed nine points in PPR leagues.
While Buffalo slowed Hill down in the first 2023 meeting, that wasn’t the case in the second matchup. He recorded seven receptions for 82 yards and a score in the rematch.
It’s unlikely the banged-up Bills defense will have much success keeping the Dolphins contained Thursday night. Linebacker Matt Milano, cornerback Taron Johnson and defensive end Dawuane Smoot headline the absences for a unit that had serious question marks even before the injury barrage.
Hill is also in line to see plenty of zone coverage in Week 2. That’s great news for his chances of going for 20-plus points. Last year, the Dolphins speedster rated the highest of any NFL wideout against zone looks, per Pro Football Focus.
If Buffalo does shift to more man coverage, it doesn’t feature a corner with the top-end speed to keep pace with Hill. Rasul Douglas and Christian Benford are a great CB tandem, but speed is the one trait that gives them trouble.
All told, Hill has a great chance to meet or exceed his Week 1 numbers on Thursday.
Bust: Bills RB James Cook
Cook received No. 1 running back volume (22 touches) against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. That was essentially the only promising part of his Week 1 outing, though.
The 2022 second-round pick averaged just 3.7 yards per carry. His longest run was only 15 yards. Allen once again handled most of the rushing work along the goal line. On top of all that, the snap share was also less favorable than the touch numbers:
- Cook: 61 percent
- Ty Johnson: 23 percent
- Ray Davis: 10 percent
Johnson typically enters in obvious passing situations. There could be a lot more of those on Thursday, especially if the Bills fall behind early. Davis could also steal some red-zone work.
Cook’s fantasy stock has been trending in the wrong direction since his lackluster training camp. He should still see enough touches to remain firmly in the No. 2 RB or flex conversation for fantasy. The hope he could emerge as a top-tier No. 1 back is fading, however.
He’ll need a favorable game script to reach 12-plus fantasy points on Thursday night.
Sleeper: Bills WR Curtis Samuel
Samuel recovered from a toe injury to play against a Cardinals. He ended up playing just 17 snaps (27 percent) and garnered only two targets. He caught them both for 15 yards.
The former Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders standout is off the injury report ahead of Week 2. That suggests he should be ready to get more involved, and if camp is any indication that means a role both on the ground and through the air.
Everybody in the Buffalo’s passing attack should see more targets in Miami. Allen attempted a modest 23 passes in the opener. That number could climb closer to 40 against the Dolphins.
Bills HC Sean McDermott when asked if WR Curtis Samuel's toe injury impacted his lower snap count, didn't give the toe injury much mention and said that they were just going with the flow of the game.
He said he thought Samuel did a good job.
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) September 9, 2024
Samuel probably won’t become an every-week fantasy starter as a member of the Bills—there’s too much competition for targets—but he still possesses matchup-based upside. His dual-threat playmaking ability also presents additional opportunities to make an impact.
In a game where the Bills and Dolphins should both run a lot of plays and score plenty of points, it’s a perfect environment for Samuel to have his first notable performance for Buffalo.
Main Image: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
