Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills: Week 3 TNF Preview, Predictions, and Odds
The Miami Dolphins face a tough challenge in Week 3 as they travel to Highmark Stadium to take on the undefeated Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football. The game is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 18, at 5:15 p.m. MST and will be streamed on Prime Video. This AFC East matchup presents a significant test for Miami, who are looking to bounce back after consecutive losses.
Expert Predictions and Odds
The Buffalo Bills are heavily favored in this Week 3 contest. According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Bills are a 12.5-point favorite over the Dolphins. The moneyline is set at -800 for Buffalo and +575 for Miami, with an over/under of 49.5 points. Several sources predict a comfortable win for the Bills.
- The Arizona Republic: Bills 30, Dolphins 20
- Sports Betting Dime: Bills 45.6, Dolphins 20.8
- Dimers: Bills 28, Dolphins 20
- Sportsnaut: Bills 31, Dolphins 17
ESPN gives the Bills a 75.8% chance of winning, while Dimers' model gives the Dolphins only a 26% win probability. Bookies.com suggests betting on the Bills to cover the spread.
Mike McDaniel's Positive Outlook
Despite the daunting task ahead, Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is maintaining a positive attitude. He views the short week as a "blessing" and emphasizes the importance of focusing solely on the Bills. "Thursday night games, after a loss, they can be a blessing because you have no time to think about anything else," McDaniel said.
The Dolphins defense has struggled, allowing 66 points in the first two games. However, the offense showed improvement in Week 2 against New England, gaining 358 total yards. McDaniel stresses that his team must remain focused on the immediate challenge. "I think it's extremely important that the guys are solely focused, as I am, on the Bills and nothing else because that's all that does matter," McDaniel explained.
Pressure on McDaniel
After making the playoffs in his first two seasons, McDaniel's Dolphins regressed last year. The pressure is mounting, with whispers about his job security intensifying. Dolphins fullback Alec Ingold defended McDaniel, saying, “Inside the building, inside the facility, a lot of that noise stops. I think that the trust and belief comes through time on task and working together on the problems that we need to solve as a unit, as a group."
This Thursday Night Football game is crucial for Miami's season. McDaniel has never beaten the Bills in Buffalo, and the Dolphins haven't won there since 2016. A win would significantly boost morale and ease the pressure on McDaniel and the team.