Dolphins-Bills Week 2 National Predictions Roundup

How does the national media view the Dolphins' game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium?

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) leaps to make a catch for a first down in front of Buffalo Bills safety Taylor Rapp (20), during second half action of their NFL football game Jan 07, 2024, in Miami Gardens. / BILL INGRAM/THE PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Miami Dolphins will look to improve their record to 2-0 on the season when they face the division rival Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on Thursday night.

According to the SI Sportsbook, the Dolphins will enter the game as 2.5-point favorites.

Here's a roundup of national predictions on this game.

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CBS Sports

Analysis

"Josh Allen has owned the Miami Dolphins in his career with an 11-2 record. That won't change in this one. It's always tough on the Bills playing in the heat, but this is a night game. Sure, it's on a short week, but the Bills will do enough on defense and Allen will win it late. He continues his mastery over the Dolphins."

Prediction: Bills 28, Dolphins 24

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Sports Illustrated

• Albert Breer: Bills

• Mitch Goldich: Bills

• Gilbert Manzano: Bills

• Conor Orr: Bills

• John Pluym: Bills

• Matt Verderame: Bills

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USA Today Sports

• Jarrett Bell: Dolphins 30, Bills 23

• Chris Bumbaca: Dolphins 26, Bills 23

• Nate Davis: Dolphins 30, Bills 23

• Tyler Dragon: Dolphins 24, Bills 21

• Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: Bills 26, Dolphins 23

• Lorenzo Reyes: Bills 23, Dolphins 20

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The Sporting News

Analysis

"The Bills saw Josh Allen take over with his big arm and strong legs after digging a hole in the opener. The Dolphins also rallied well with Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill. Buffalo is putting more on Allen with transitional weapons and a more vulnerable defense, and he will keep responding by spreading the ball around well and getting set up by the run. The Dolphins' defense gave up some big plays last week and can be had on intermediate passing. Allen is better in that area than Tagovailoa, leading to the mild road upset."

Prediction: Bills 31, Dolphins 27

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Pro Football Network

• David Bearman: Dolphins

• Adam Beasley: Dolphins

• Jay Morrison: Bills

• Dakota Randall: Dolphins

• Dallas Robinson: Bills

• Kyle Soppe: Dolphins

• Dan Tomaro: Dolphins

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ESPN

• Matt Bowen: Dolphins

• Mike Clay: Dolphins

• Dan Graziano: Dolphins

• Kalyn Kahler: Dolphins

• Eric Moody: Bills

• Kimberly Martin: Dolphins

• Jason Reid: Dolphins

• Seth Wickersham: Dolphins

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Pro Football Talk

• Mike Florio: Bills 27, Dolphins 23

• Chris Simms: Dolphins 24, Bills 20

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NFL.com

• Ali Bhanpuri: Dolphins 27, Bills 24

• Tom Blair: Dolphins 27, Bills 23

• Brooke Cersosimo: Dolphins 28, Bills 22

• Gennaro Filice: Bills 27, Dolphins 24

• Dan Parr: Bills 25, Dolphins 23

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The 33rd Team

Analysis

"The Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins have played in some incredible games during the last few years, and this is already an important matchup early in the season. Miami is a slight favorite at home, and it has had a ton of success in home September games under Mike McDaniel. Meanwhile, Buffalo's defense looked rough out of the gate, and it will be without Taron Johnson on Thursday. But it has been extremely successful against the Dolphins with Josh Allen, winning 11 of their last 12 games. Expect this to be a fairly high-scoring contest, but given the state of Buffalo's secondary, take the Dolphins to get the early-season win."

Prediction: Dolphins 27, Bills 24

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The Athletic

Analysis

"The Dolphins are already limping at running back, and Allen is playing with a banged-up non-throwing hand. Look for Tua Tagovailoato exploit aBillsdefense that is soft in the middle without Matt Milano. We'll take the best pass rush, as the Dolphins will have a tough time bothering left tackle Dion Dawkins and Allen, who ranked second in EPA per dropback after Week 1 at 0.46 and third in passer rating at 137.7. The Bills' Greg Rousseau, meanwhile, had three sacks against the Cardinals and leads the NFL in defensive production rating among pass rushers. Old man on Miller also looked like a problem again."

Prediction (against the spread): Bills plus 2 (lines may vary depending on outlet)

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Miami Dolphins On SI

Analysis

"Is this the year? Is this the year the Dolphins finally overtake the Bills atop the AFC East? It's too early to make that call, but we know it isn't likely to happen if the Dolphins don't take care of business against Buffalo at home. Neither AFC East team was particularly overwhelming in its regular season opener, but each won. It's no secret that the Dolphins are very good at home, especially early in the season. The four former NFL players on the Amazon pregame and postgame shows were firm in their statements about the Dolphins needing this game if they want to take the next step in 2024, and the feeling here is they will get it done."

Prediction: Dolphins 24, Bills 23