Dolphins vs. Bills Thursday Night Football betting: Picks for player props and parlays

Primetime NFL games bring in the numbers — and the bets. In an attempt to boost gamer bankrolls, this only occasionally profitable bettor will attempt to stack greenbacks under the lights. As always, fade or follow — that’s up to you.

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How to watch Dolphins at Bills

• Venue: Highmark Stadium — Orchard Park, N.Y.
• Time: 8:15 p.m. ET, Thursday
• TV (national): Prime Video
  • Dolphins, in market: CBS 4
  • Bills, in market: ABC 7
• Streaming (local): Fubo (Stream Free Now)
• Watching in person? Get tickets on StubHub.

“Thursday Night Football” can also be streamed with NFL+ or a Twitch account.

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De’Von Achane over 37.5 receiving yards

On the Miami Dolphins’ roster of constant underachievers, there’s only one sought-after Labubu — De’Von Achane.

He’s bedazzled. He sparkles. And adults and adolescent collectors alike would do whatever it takes to add him to their growing collection.

Fantasy managers and prop bettors house a similar sentiment. Achane is the only trustworthy Dolphin on the roster. No matter the script, he simply produces.

The NFL is often unpredictable, but betting on this Miami team getting boat-raced by the class of the AFC East sure feels like a foregone conclusion — especially when the Bills are favored by 12.5 points.

Given the expected deep hole, Achane is sure to be an active receiver. When pocket pressure mounts, Tua Tagovailoa always looks his way in the short field. As a result, “Dump Off” De’Von is likely to make more than just a cameo. Whether in competitive or non-competitive action, the sure-handed safety valve will rack up the targets. Any other development would be nothing short of surprising.

Through two games, the fleet-footed back has notched the second-highest team target share (23.7 percent) among RBs, averaging 20.0 routes, 5.5 receptions and 56.0 receiving yards per game.

The Bills only allowed five receptions for 51 combined yards to the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets backs in Weeks 1-2, but it’s doubtful they’ll corral Achane. Recall last year in a pair of matchups against Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott’s men, the second-year back totaled 15 catches for 127 yards.

Fire off a ticket on Achane, and you, too, may sport an exaggerated, joyful expression.

Season props record: 1-1, -0.15 units

Single-game parlay

James Cook anytime TD
Buffalo -6.5 alternative spread

+105 odds

Cook: The Chef Boyardee of running backs continues to bake in the box score. Stretching back to last season and including the playoffs, he’s scored in 16 of his past 21 games. That’s outlandish consistency, and certainly helps validate the $48 million extension he signed in August. With three touchdowns under his belt, and considering his four scores in four career games versus Miami, he has significant odds of crossing the chalk yet again. In fact, our friends at BetAlytics give him a 60% chance of an end-zone jig. Adding to the argument, Miami is just No. 19 in rush expected points added (EPA) defense through two weeks, allowing 4.06 yards per carry to opposing RBs. As long as Josh Allen doesn’t poach him on multiple occasions, Cook should punch in at least one.

Buffalo: For head coach Mike McDaniel, the hot seat is cranked to high. Suffice it to say, his buns are burning. If waxed by the Bills in an island game, the axe may fall soon after. It’s a plausible outcome. Through two weeks, the friendly Flippers are No. 26 in EPA per play offense and dead last in EPA per play defense. Yikes. Going back to 2022, the Bills have emerged victorious against their division rival six consecutive times, winning by an average margin of 10.8 points. Unblemished and performing at a considerably more efficient per-snap rate across the board, Buffalo will have its Mafia drunkenly smashing tables in celebration.

Season parlay record: 0-2, -2.00 units

Betting/odds links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

(Photo of De’Von Achane: Bryan M. Bennett / Getty Images)