Fantasy Football: Takeaways from Bills-Dolphins on Thursday Night Football

Scott Pianowski
De'Von Achane #28 of the Miami Dolphins carries the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter of the game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 12, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Dolphins RB De'Von Achane had a career-high 29 touches coming off an ankle injury in Week 2 for 165 yards and a touchdown. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) (Megan Briggs via Getty Images)

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James Cook ... cooks

Despite 281 touches in a good offense, James Cook only scored six touchdowns for Buffalo last year. Positive regression is already in progress.

Cook was the undeniable star in Thursday's 31-10 rout at Miami, scoring three touchdowns in the first half. Cook's scores came in a variety of ways — in the passing game (17-yard catch), as a breakaway threat (49-yard run) and from in close (one-yard plunge).

Cook was limited to 12 touches (95 total yards) because the game got out of hand; he could have posted a legendary night in a competitive game. Either way, a lot of fantasy managers are already significantly ahead in their Week 2 matches (or way behind) simply because of one man.

Cook's heroics and a staunch Buffalo defense (three interceptions, one returned for a touchdown) kept the Bills' passing game under wraps. Josh Allen only attempted 19 passes and was limited to two carries. Buffalo hosts Jacksonville next week.

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Miami's night shifted from forgettable to downright scary in the third quarter, when Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion and left the game. Tagovailoa has a history of head injuries and contemplated retirement after the 2022 season. Skylar Thompson is the current Miami backup, but the Dolphins would likely explore the free-agent market if Tagovailoa misses significant time.

De'Von Achane — a workhorse back?

The Dolphins oddly gave De'Von Achane a heavy workload in the blowout loss (29 touches, 165 total yards, one score); he didn't seem compromised by his ankle injury at all.

Jaylen Wright had five carries that went nowhere, mostly in garbage time (four total yards). Jeff Wilson Jr. was limited to two catches. Miami travels to Seattle next week.

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