Broncos vs. Bills Point Spread: NFL Pre-Season Week 2 Odds, Prediction
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Nik Kowalski
The Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills continue their preseason journeys Saturday afternoon when they meet in Buffalo. Neither Russell Wilson or Josh Allen suited up under centre for their respective squads last week, but at least Allen is expected to play this week. Wilson, acquired via trade in the offseason, has yet to debut in his new orange and blue jersey.
Both Denver and Buffalo have high aspirations this season. The Bills are the Super Bowl favourite at +393 odds, while Denver isn’t too far behind at +1054, meaning this Week 2 preseason game is a potential taste of an AFC playoff matchup months down the road.
Kickoff at Highmark Stadium goes at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, with the home Bills sitting as 6-point favourites to win. The over-under is 42.0 on the NFL odds.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Having Wilson has completely changed the complexity of Denver’s roster but in recent history Buffalo has dominated Denver when it comes to the point spread. The Bills are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 versus the Broncos and have covered in seven of the last eight meetings at Highmark Stadium. Buffalo’s also covered in night straight home games played in August.
The Bills play well on Saturdays too as they’re putting a seven-game Saturday winning streak on the line. Nine of Denver’s last 10 August games have gone under the total. Both teams covered and won in their Week 1 preseason bouts but Buffalo’s game went over and Denver’s under.
Denver Broncos
Veteran journeyman Josh Johnson got the start for the Broncos last Saturday in a 17-7 victory over Dallas. Johnson had a great outing with 172 passing yards and two touchdowns in the win. Wilson, along with starting running back Javonte Williams and receivers Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy, didn’t play in the win but may see the field against Buffalo.
The Broncos scored all 17 of their points in the second quarter. Seth Williams caught got the game’s first points on a one-yard touchdown catch, Kendall Hinton (Denver’s emergency quarterback in their infamous COVID game in 2020) hauled in a 24-yard touchdown pass and then Brandon McManus showed no rust with a 52-yard field goal.
Buffalo Bills
Bills head coach Sean McDermott has confirmed that Allen will play a “hefty amount“ on Saturday as well as several other Bills starters. Star receiver Stefon Diggs, as well as prized offseason acquisition Von Miller were among those sat out in Week 1 but are expected to suit up against Denver.
Backups Matt Barkley and Case Keenum split the quarterback reps in a 27-24 win over Indianapolis last week, combining for 304 passing yards to go with zero touchdown passes and three interceptions. Terrel Bernard scooped up a 69-yard fumble return for a score for the Bills and Raheem Blackshear ran in two majors on six of his carries for a total of 11 yards.
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BUF