Bills vs. Dolphins time, odds, prediction, key questions: How to watch Josh Allen take on Tua Tagovailoa

When the 2021 NFL season started, most anticipated each the Bills and Dolphins to make noise within the AFC East. Buffalo was coming off a 13-3 breakout, difficult the Chiefs within the AFC title recreation. Miami was coming off a 10-6 run fueled by Brian Flores’ protection, Ryan Fitzpatrick heroics and a strong, if unspectacular, debut for Tua Tagovailoa. Now, half a 12 months later, the 2 franchises could not be transferring in additional reverse instructions. The Payments are 4-2, boasting one of many NFL‘s most explosive offenses and effectively on their solution to one other playoff run. The Dolphins, then again, are 1-6, and nobody is aware of if Tagovailoa will even be on the roster in every week’s time.

Miami is taking part in extra for pleasure than postseason consideration at this level, nevertheless it’s additionally doable the Dolphins will use Week 8 to offer Tua one final shot at solidifying a quarterback job that might quickly belong to Deshaun Watson, the latter’s authorized points however. Can they play spoiler with a lot hanging over their heads? Or are the Payments destined to roll, as they did in Week 2, once they cruised previous the Dolphins in a 35-0 blowout?

We have got you lined beneath with odds, predictions, key questions, info on find out how to watch, and extra:

Easy methods to watch

Date: Sunday, Oct. 31 | Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Highmark Stadium (Orchard Park, New York)
TV: CBS | Stream: Paramount+ (click here)
Comply with: CBS Sports App
Odds: Payments -13.5, O/U 49.5

Key questions

• Will the Dolphins flip Tua unfastened? Tagovailoa threw 4 touchdowns in Week 7, and bear in mind he left Miami’s Week 2 assembly with Buffalo on account of harm. Maybe, given a second shot on the Payments, this time with a wholesome Tua, the Dolphins will let him air it out, partially as an unofficial last audition earlier than the Nov. 2 commerce deadline.
• Who’s going to cowl the Payments wideouts? Stefon Diggs and Emmanuel Sanders are arduous sufficient to cease when you could have wholesome cornerbacks. Byron Jones, Xavien Howard, Jason McCourty and Brandon Jones are all banged up to some extent going into this recreation. Miami must get after Josh Allen your entire time to have an opportunity.
• Who will step up for Dawson Knox? Perhaps the earlier query solutions this, contemplating Miami barely has sufficient our bodies to maintain up with Buffalo’s receiving corps, nevertheless it’s price noting the Allen favourite shall be out once more whereas injured.

Prediction

Newest Odds:

Buffalo Payments
-13.5

Tagovailoa hasn’t been unhealthy since coming back from harm, and within the grand scheme of issues, he is gotten a comparatively uncooked deal inside a stationary Miami offense. Jaylen Waddle has continued to utilize his reps, in the meantime, giving Tua a promising outlet. However nothing else in regards to the Dolphins jumps out proper now. Flores’ protection, specifically, is such a trigger for concern that it is a marvel oddsmakers have not given the Payments an excellent greater edge at dwelling, coming off a bye.

Rested up, Buffalo shouldn’t have any downside transferring the ball right here. And that is actually all they should safe a sweep of Miami whereas distancing themselves from the Patriots (3-4) within the division. Perhaps, simply possibly, the Dolphins will hold it shut for a bit in the event that they get artistic with Waddle, Myles Gaskin and Mike Gesicki, taking part in keep-away. And you’ll guess Tua shall be motivated to indicate out with the Watson rumors ongoing. However this one screams Payments victory.

Decide: Payments 37, Dolphins 18

Take a look at CBSSports.com for even more predictions on this recreation and the remainder of Week 8.