The Miami Dolphins are hoping to unseat the Buffalo Bills as AFC East champions. Will they take their first step toward that goal on Thursday Night Football?

The Dolphins have led the division late in both of the past two seasons but haven't been able to finish the job. Last year they hosted a winner-take-all game for the AFC East crown in Week 18 and lost 21-14, with Bills quarterback Josh Allen throwing for 359 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

The Bills look quite different this year with wide receiver Stefon Diggs gone and former Dolphin Mack Hollins and Florida State rookie Keon Coleman among those looking to fill that void. Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert has already been ruled out, and De'Von Achane is questionable with an ankle injury. All eyes will be on receiver Tyreek Hill, who was detained by Miami-Dade police before last week's game in Miami Gardens.

Watch Dolphins vs Bills live on Prime

Will the Dolphins or Bills take the early lead in the AFC East race? NFL reporters and analysts weigh in with their picks:

USA TODAY: Dolphins win

Three of the four reporters on the USA TODAY panel picked Miami. Jordan Mendoza had the Dolphins winning 30-26: "Buffalo has owned Miami recently with 11 wins in their last 12 games and riding a four-game win streak against the divisional foe. But the Bills aren't the same team and the Dolphins are poised to take over the division crown. Miami shakes off its rusty start in an offensive shootout that moves the Fins to 2-0."

Only Lorenzo Reyes back Buffalo, picking them 23-20: "I think the Dolphins are probably the better team here, but Miami historically struggles to defend Josh Allen, and the Bills, overall. ... That said, I could see this one going either way and think there are better plays out there."

Our Dolphins-Bills prediction: Scouting report for Thursday Night Football

Sporting News: Bills win close

Vinnie Iyer picked Buffalo to win 31-27: "Buffalo is putting more on Allen with transitional weapons and a more vulnerable defense, and he will keep responding by spreading the ball around well and getting set up by the run. The Dolphins' defense gave up some big plays last week and can be had on intermediate passing. Allen is better in that area than Tagovailoa, leading to the mild road upset."

Bill Bender picked Buffalo 27-24: "Buffalo will have to slow down Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who both cleared 100 yards in the opener. Can Greg Rousseau, who had three sacks in Week 1, disrupt that timing with Tua Tagovailoa? Josh Allen spread the ball out to a new group of receivers, and the Bills have a little more help in the running game with James Cook, who had 103 total yards. Miami is 1-4 S/U against Buffalo under Mike McDaniel, but the TNF stage makes it a true coin flip."

CBS Sports: Split between Dolphins and Bills

John Breech picked Miami to win 27-24: "As good as Allen has been against the Dolphins, there's no way I'm picking against Mike McDaniel. The Dolphins coach has a career record of 7-0 during the first three weeks of the season and I don't see him picking up his first loss in a home prime-time game. My biggest problem with the Bills is that they have a revamped secondary this year and I'm not sure how they're going to handle the Dolphins' high-powered offense."

Pete Prisco picked Buffalo 28-24: "Josh Allen has owned the Miami Dolphins in his career with an 11-2 record. That won't change in this one. It's always tough on the Bills playing in the heat, but this is a night game. Sure, it's on a short week, but the Bills will do enough on defense and Allen will win it late. He continues his mastery over the Dolphins."

Tyler Sullivan backed the Bills 27-24.

Rochester (NY) Democrat & Chronicle: Dolphins win 27-26

Bills reporter Sal Maiorana wrote: "In the Miami heat, without Taron Johnson against the Dolphins’ dynamic passing game, it’s a tough task for Buffalo, even though it has owned the Dolphins for years. It just feels like if Miami is ever going to beat Buffalo, this is a prime opportunity in prime time."

Dolphins vs Bills game odds, spread and lines

Miami is favored to defeat Buffalo, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering betting promos in 2024.

All odds as of Wednesday, September 11.

• Spread: Dolphins -2½

• Over/under: 49

• Moneyline: Bills +115, Dolphins -135

How to watch Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills: Time, TV channel, streaming

• When: 8:15 p.m. Thursday, September 12

• Where: Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)

• TV: WFOR (CBS Channel 4) in Miami

• Streaming: Amazon Prime

The game is streaming exclusively on Prime Video, which offers a 30-day free trial to new subscribers.

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This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Dolphins vs Bills predictions, odds for NFL Week 2 game