The first game of Week 3 will take place in Buffalo on Thursday night as the Dolphins face the Bills.
These two teams are in very different places coming into this game, with the Bills at 2-0 and top of the division, while the Dolphins are 0-2 and searching for answers. It might get worse before it gets better for Miami, as winning in front of Bills Mafia is never easy.
Despite what struggles they may face as a team, this could benefit Waddle in some ways. If the Bills get out to an early lead, that will force Miami into throwing the ball even more.
It’s important to keep in mind that Waddle is listed as questionable for this game with a shoulder injury. Below is my favorite Waddle prop bet on DraftKings Sportsbook for Thursday’s game.
Best Jaylen Waddle Prop Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook
As much as the potential game script could help Waddle hit the over on this number, all the stats are telling me no. Between his injury and the numbers, I’m taking the under in this spot.
Even though it’s possible the Dolphins throw the ball a ton in this game, they are facing the best passing defense in the NFL through two weeks. The Bills have only allowed an average of 124 yards per game through the air so far while picking up wins against the Ravens and Jets.
Next, let’s look at Waddle’s stats. He has gone under this total in one of two games so far. In Week 1, he caught four of five targets for 30 yards. In Week 2, he caught five of six for 68 yards and a touchdown. He is only third on the team in targets, receptions and yards, trailing Tyreek Hill and De’Von Achane. The former was expected, the latter not so much. Achane has been way more involved in the passing game than anyone anticipated, but that’s also likely due to the game scripts in the first two weeks. Miami has been behind a lot this season, and as a result, Tua has been checking it down to his running back.
Although Waddle is coming off a game in which he hit the over on this number, that was in the sunshine, at home against the Patriots. Thursday’s game presents a much more difficult challenge, and while I don’t think he will be shut down altogether, 53 yards or less seems likely for the fifth-year wideout.
