Section 400’s Week 2 Thursday Night Football Roundtable

The 2024 NFL season is already a week behind us, as week two opens with a divisional showdown between the Dolphins and the Bills on Thursday night. With injury questions and plenty of new faces on both sides, the guys up in section 400 are here to talk about some of the hottest topics heading into this AFC East battle.

In week two’s roundtable, Brian, Matt, Jack, and Zach talk the Dolphins backfield, Bills receivers, team ceilings, and best bets, before ending with their prediction of which team improves to 2-0. Make sure to check back every Thursday and Monday throughout the season for our takes on each primetime NFL contest!

Options

We knew the Dolphins backfield situation was convoluted entering the season, but now things are even more up in the air with injuries to both Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane. Are you worried about Miami’s ability to score tonight with both backs banged up?

BH: My short answer is “no”. The Dolphins clearly have taken a step back in the run blocking department after seeing guard Robert Hunt and center Connor Williams depart in free agency. Mike McDaniel’s offense should look different in 2024, and I wish I told myself that before drafting Raheem Mostert as my “RB2” in fantasy football this season. If anything, McDaniel product Jeff Wilson Jr. could score a touchdown or two tonight, but I don’t expect much from him or rookie running back Jaylen Wright.

MK: No. The Dolphins will pass, pass and then pass again. As long as Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are there, Miami will have a shot to win this game.

JA: No, they still have Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle (who is also banged up). I expect those two to step up. We might see Tua Tagovailoa have to pass and scramble a bit more than we’re used to seeing.

ZM: I am not worried. I think that Tyreek Hill will score two-plus touchdowns, and score them fast.

Feel This Moment

After experts and most of the fantasy football community thought Dalton Kincaid was primed to be the No. 1 receiving option in the Bills offense this season, we saw rookie Keon Coleman lead Buffalo in receiving yards and receptions a week ago. Khalil Shakir and Curtis Samuel were also involved in the passing game, which raises the question… Who leads this team in receiving yards once the dust settles?

BH: I’m still rolling the dice on a Dalton Kincaid breakout campaign. The 24-year-old is a 6-foot-4 big body playmaker with decent 4.71 40-speed. We saw glimpses of what kind of weapon he could become in 2023, and the guys around him are so underwhelming I just have to believe he eventually becomes the clear cut best option for quarterback Josh Allen. I’m keeping an eye on Keon Coleman though.

MK: Early on Keon Coleman looks to be the guy in Buffalo. I think Kincaid will get going at some point, but for the sake of the question, I think Coleman ends up as the No. 1 guy for Josh Allen and the Bills.

JA: I think Kincaid will have better days ahead as the season goes on but the answer is Keon Coleman. He was the clear alpha in week one and I’m sure Josh Allen wants to establish that connection ASAP.

ZM: Keon Coleman will lead the team in receiving yards this year. Saying that, I think Mack Hollins will have a very solid year in Buffalo too.

Give Me Everything

These squads are knotted up at the top of the AFC East after a week of football. Does either Buffalo or Miami win the division? Are you high enough on either team to lock them in as a “dark horse” Super Bowl contender?

BH: No one circles the wagons of slightly-above-average football like the Buffalo Bills. Everyone appeared to write them off heading into this season, but as long as Josh Allen is under center, Buffalo has a chance to win the East. I believe they do just that this year, although I’m not willing to say they’ll win multiple games in the postseason, or even one for that matter. Miami should be a wild card team, but like the Bills, I can’t confidently say the Dolphins can get it done in January.

MK: One of these teams will win the division. Which one is yet to be seen, but I’ll lean Bills based on the fact Mike McDaniel just got a new deal while Doug McDermott is kinda on the hot seat. I don’t have Buffalo going far though. A divisional round exit seems likely.

JA: I’m still on the Jets to win the East. They need to figure out the Hasson Reddick deal, but I’m riding with New York for now. There is potential for any of these three teams to win the division and/or make the playoffs. Jets, Bills, Dolphins is how I see it, in that order.

ZM: The Dolphins will win the East. I think Miami can make it to the Super Bowl if they get home field advantage in the playoffs.

Don’t Stop The Party

While we may have dominated the Sunday slate in week one, we only went 2-2 on Thursday Night Football. I need you boys to lock in and give me your favorite bet tonight.

BH: I alluded to it earlier, Dalton Kincaid was not involved in Buffalo’s week one victory nearly enough as this offense would have liked him to be. I think the second-year tight end is involved early and often in this contest. Give me Dalton Kincaid OVER 4.5 receptions (-108) and OVER 42.5 receiving yards (-113).

MK: I’ll give you three. Tyreek Hill OVER 6.5 receptions (-138), Tyreek Hill OVER 93.5 receiving yards (-110) and James Cook any time touchdown (+165).

JA: Pretty much any Tyreek Hill bet due to the injuries suffered by the other weapons in this Miami offense. If I had to pick one, any time touchdown (-130) feels like good value. The line should be set at (-170)/(-180).

ZM: I’ll give you three too, why not. Dolphins first quarter money line (-128), Tyreek Hill any time touchdown (-130) and Tyreek hill to score two-plus touchdowns (+500).

Rain Over Me

Which of these teams is improving to 2-0 tonight, and will be the score?

BH: Like the band “Spoon”, I’ve never been afraid of backing “The Underdog”. Buffalo takes the early lead in the race for the AFC East, 27-21.

MK: Bills improve to 2-0, 26-23.

JA: Miami wins a close one, 24-23

ZM: Dolphins win in a rout, 31-14.