Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills Prediction, Odds and TNF Picks for Today, 09/18/25

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Dolphins vs Bills Guest Expert Predictions

Point Spread Pick
MIA Dolphins +13.0(-110)

There’s a ton of negative press coming out of Miami. Some of that is well-founded and justified, some of it isn’t. The reality is, the Dolphins lost again in Week 2, allowing the Patriots to put 33 points on the board along the way, yet another indictment for Mike McDaniel and his current influence over the Fins’ locker room. The visitors also made fewer mistakes in the 4th quarter, which ended up deciding the contest. 

Offensively, there was much to appreciate about Miami. Tua Tagovailoa completed 26 out of 32 passes (81%) for 315 yards at a 9.8 yards per pass clip. Tyreek Hill finally caught a ball over 30 yards and eclipsed 100 receiving yards, too. Tua had 1 bad interception, but overall the Dolphins offense looked similar to what it once was, minus a productive run game. One area of concern was their offensive line, which struggled blocking on runs and allowed 5 sacks and 5 quarterback hits.

Miami’s defense was also largely horrific for the entire contest. An offense not known for its explosiveness, New England gained 18 first downs and 333 total yards, going 7-12 on 3rd-down conversions and 3-4 in the red zone. The Dolphins’ defensive showings the first two weeks are extremely concerning, to say the least, especially before traveling up to face a juggernaut at Orchard Park.

There is less to say about Buffalo because their Week 2 outcome was predictable. The Bills’ offensive line dominated the Jets all game, enabling 224 rushing yards for an offense that barely needs a run game with Josh Allen under center. Justin Fields eventually got injured, and Tyrod Taylor couldn’t do much better against a Buffalo defense that came ready to dominate, too. We didn’t learn much about the Bills last Sunday, besides the fact that they are still on a different planet than the Jets.

In the last 2 seasons, Buffalo has dominated Miami. 2 games were close, 2 games were not. Oddsmakers think this one will not be close at all, thus a giant spread, but we’re going to stick our necks out for Miami. There is nothing in pro football that makes a team more desperate than the potential of going 0-3. We think they put up some offense and hang around, in what feels like ultimately an inevitable loss.

Dolphins vs Bills prediction: Dolphins +13 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to 12.

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Chris R. Farley
Game Totals Pick
Over 49.5(-110)

If Miami can stay somewhat consistent offensively, this is a team that could become a darling for “overs” all season, and that’s mostly because of their defense. It’s hard to put into words how bad the Dolphins’ defense was in Week 2. When the Patriots needed a 4th-down conversion, they got it. When they were in the red zone, they scored, and it was the best New England’s run game looked like since December 22 of last season. The Dolphins were able to generate pressure on a few plays, sacking Drake Maye 3 times, but part of that was on a 2nd-year quarterback holding onto the ball for far too long. In short, the Dolphins’ defense is heading to Buffalo without any confidence or belief that they can stymie the Bills at all, and we can’t blame them.

In 2weeks, the Bills have already stacked up 900 total yards. Whether through the air or on the ground, Buffalo’s pass-protection has largely been amazing (Allen has only been sacked twice), and their creative run-blocking schemes have immediately freed up James Cook. The crafty running back is averaging 5.2 yards per carry and already has 3 touchdowns.

The biggest question for Thursday’s total is on Miami’s side. In support of points, Tua finally settled in and looked more like himself, generating an 81% completion rate on 9.8 yards per pass. DeVon Achane never had a big run, but he has the same explosiveness and speed that made him so dangerous last season. He had 8 catches for 92 yards. The same can be said for Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who combined for 11 catches and 177 yards. 

Interestingly, Miami has put up more points every season under Mike McDaniel when they’ve played at Buffalo, not in South Florida. Orchard Park will be in the low-70s and perfect football weather at gametime, so we simply can’t look any other way.

Dolphins vs Bills best bet: Over 49.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to 48.5.

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Chris R. Farley
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Chris Farley

Chris is a writer for Pickswise who’s been handicapping the NFL since 2011. He began his public betting career as a betting writer, and has since become a contributing analyst for various betting sites and shows. He was a 5th place winner ($114k) in the 2021 NFL Circa Millions contest, and he owns his own sports betting podcast, Laying the Points. Chris approaches handicapping using psychosocial principles and nuanced market analysis. The NFL and NBA are his favorite and most profitable sports.
Read more about Chris Farley

Related game props

Miami Dolphins
Player Receiving Yards Pick
K. Shakir (BUF) - Over 40.5 rec yds(-110)

I was on Khalil Shakir’s receiving yards last week against the Jets on the notion that Sauce Gardner would shadow Keon Coleman, and while that part was correct, the game got out of hand and the Bills went run-heavy in a 30-10 victory. Historically, Shakir has struggled against the Jets and against my better judgment, I disregarded that, but will not let that hamper my Week 3 approach.

Shakir’s reception line opened at 3.5 and has since been bet up to 4.5 at plus-money odds. Assuming that 4 number is a baseline, Shakir is over 40.5 in 9/11 last season when getting 4+ receptions. The TNF game against the Dolphins does reek of a blowout if you look at the spread, but the total sits at 49.5 after opening at 48.5, indicating some semblance of offense from the Dolphins. I believe this 40.5 is an overreaction to Week 2’s 1 reception for 12 yards, which would be his worst outing since 2023. Shakir is over this line against the Dolphins in 3 straight games. Miami ranks dead last this season in EPA/Pass allowed and has the 4th-lowest pressure rate, which benefits Shakir, who is targeted on 32% of routes when Allen is not under pressure.

Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins
Anytime Touchdown Scorer Pick
D. Achane (MIA) to score a TD(+120)

Besides Tua Tagovailoa’s misreads, the offense hasn’t been the issue for the Miami Dolphins. They scored 33 points in Week 2, led by De’Von Achane, who totaled 122 yards and a receiving touchdown. In Week 1, the Dolphins’ only score came from a checkdown to Achane on 4th down that he made multiple defenders miss. With an expected negative game script and Achane’s receptions line at 5.5, he should be the focal point of the Dolphins offense, whether it’s a 1-score game or if they find themselves down multiple possessions. I like Achane to score a touchdown on TNF at DraftKings at +120, while the rest of the market is coming in at +105.

Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins
Anytime Touchdown Scorer Pick
K. Shakir (BUF) to score a TD(+220)

The sky-high implied team total of the Bills is sitting at 30.5 — one of the highest totals we’ve seen through 3 weeks. The Bills’ offense has been surgical, led by Josh Allen and James Cook, but both have touchdown prices of -160 and -175. So, we’ll move to the next best option in the Bills offense, Khalil Shakir. Shakir has been targeted twice in the end zone through 2 weeks and is logging a 15.7% target share. The woeful Dolphins defense has allowed 30+ points to teams led by Daniel Jones and Drake Maye. Expect Allen to pepper his security blanket, Shakir, who has a receptions line of 4.5.

Buffalo Bills

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