Week one of the NFL season is in the books. It is truly glorious to have the NFL back on the stage! After some memorable opening games, we can look forward to week two. The first official Thursday night game has a clash that practically everyone is looking forward to. Usually, Thursday night games are best forgotten, but not this time. Division foes Dolphins and Bills renew their rivalry in Miami. Fantasy managers are surely wondering who to start or sit in this game. No worries, as this Dolphins/Bills Thursday Fantasy Start/Sit edition is here to help! Let’s get right into it!

Obvious Buffalo/Miami Fantasy Starts

There won’t be a lot of time spent on this section. Obviously, managers that drafted Tua Tagovailoa, Josh Allen, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle or James Cook don’t need me to help decide to start them or not. Of course, you will have them in your lineups. It doesn’t matter if Buffalo’s defense ranks fourth against fantasy receivers after week one. It doesn’t matter if Miami ranks eighth against both QBs or RBs. Simply stated, you start your studs, regardless of the matchup, even on Thursday night.

Dolphins/Bills Fantasy Starts

With that out of the way, we can get down to some serious analysis. As of this writing, both De’von Achane and Raheem Mostert are questionable for Thursday night. Keep a strong eye on them, but I expect that both will play. If they do, the two of them are must starts. The reason? Buffalo brings the 31st ranked defense against fantasy running backs into this contest.

Obviously, Achane had the better game one, as he scored a rushing TD and caught all seven of his targets for 76 yards. Meanwhile, Mostert was nearly invisible against Jacksonville, gaining just nine rushing yards and catching two passes for 10 more. Simply stated, ignore that. If both play, both are in starting lineups.

On the Buffalo side, the only clear must start is Keon Coleman. In his rookie debut, Coleman caught four of five passes for 51 yards. The chink, if one wants to call it that, in the Dolphin defense is against receivers, checking in at 17. I liked Coleman when he was drafted and there is no reason to steer clear of him now. This Dolphins/Bills Thursday Fantasy Start/Sit edition says set Coleman as a weekly starter for the Bills until further notice.

If a manager drafted Dalton Kincaid, there aren’t many solid alternatives, even at this early stage of the season. Kincaid caught just one pass for 11 yards against the Cardinals. Certainly, that doesn’t inspire confidence. Neither does the fact that Miami ranks second against fantasy tight ends. If one has an alternative to Kincaid, it would be wise to look in that direction. If not, holding your nose and starting Kincaid is most likely the only alternative.

Dolphins/Bills Fantasy Sits

Leading up to fantasy drafts, many thought that Curtis Samuel would be the receiver that would step up for the Bills. Thus far, that isn’t looking so good. Against Arizona, Samuel was only targeted twice, catching both for a measly 15 yards. Khalil Shakir looked much better, catching all three passes thrown his way for 42 yards and a score. Even so, until the Bills receivers, other than Coleman, find their footing, I am sitting them both on a Thursday night. There has to be better options on the bench than these two.

As for the Dolphins, tight end hasn’t been one of their strengths in some time. Jonnu Smith was brought in after catching 50 passes last season in Atlanta. One game in, there’s nothing to like about what Smith brings to the table. Like Kincaid, he caught just a single pass Sunday, for a scant seven yards. With all of the other options available to the Miami offense, it is wise to steer clear of Smith, especially for a Thursday night game.

The Last Word

Thank you for joining me for this Dolphins/Bills Thursday Fantasy Start/Sit edition! Follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to bellyupsports.com/ and bellyupfantasysports.com/ for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news!

I am a co-host of The Sports Stove Fantasy Baseball Show. The show will be live Sunday September 16 at 8 pm Eastern. If you’ve missed a single episode this season, head on over to Youtube and give us a look! You can check out our latest show, dedicated to fantasy baseball regular season award winners, waiver pickups, drops and more here.