NFL Preseason Betting: 4 Ways to Bet on the Bills

Why Bettors Should Pay Attention to the Bills in the 2024 NFL Preseason

1. Meet Josh Allen’s New Bestie: Keon Coleman

The biggest storyline for the Bills is how much the team has lost. It starts at receiver where Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis, the Bills’ top two wideouts, are gone. Replacing them are a motley crew of players from Keon Coleman, the Bills’ top draft pick, to Super Bowl champion Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

If we could bet online on it, we’d stake our money on Coleman to be Allen’s new go-to receiver. The Bills traded down and drafted him as Allen has had his eye on him in college.

“I think his play style (is) what we needed in our offense,” Allen told NFL Network Insiders Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero. “Talking with our offensive coordinator (Joe Brady), our quarterbacks coach (Ronald Curry), (general manager) Brandon Beane and, obviously, coach (Sean) McDermott, a guy that’s a big-bodied guy and can go win one a back-shoulder fade and not afraid to be a physical wide receiver.”

KEON COLEMAN STOP IT pic.twitter.com/xHBdkZqL1v

— wow that was crazy (@CowardlyDoggo) October 14, 2023

Coleman is listed at 70/1 (+7000) to lead the NFL in receiving yards this season. He’s also slotted at +800 to lead all rookie receivers here and at 26/1 (+2600) to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. These are not the worst flyers to take, especially if he gets the lion’s share of targets.

2. The Second Secondary

The Bills also got a facelift on the defensive side of the passing game. The secondary is different with Pro Bowl safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde both gone. Kaiir Elam, the Bills’ 2022 first-round pick, returns. But he may not even be the starter as Christian Benford emerged. Rasul Douglas will anchor the other side.

For the safeties, second-round pick Cole Bishop is slated to be the team’s new free safety. Taylor Rapp will be a strong safety. But that’s not set in stone as the likes of Dee Delany and Mike Edwards could outplay them and win the starting positions, respectively.

Buffalo had a top-10 defense in 2023. It allowed the seventh-lowest passer rating (81.9) and tied for the third-most interceptions (18). If the defense is to maintain its spot, the new kids have to step up.

3. Let’s Get Cooking

All eyes are on Allen and the Bills’ new receivers. But James Cook could be the hottest Bill this coming season. The 24-year-old broke out last season and totaled 1,567 yards off scrimmage. He also had six touchdowns. With Latavius Murray gone, Cook will be the bell cow for Buffalo this season. He may just be a shrewd bet to win the Offensive Player of the Year at a whopping 80/1 (+8000).

But for preseason, we turn our attention to the trio running behind him. Murray’s and Damien Harris’s departures leave the door open for Buffalo’s RB2. That falls to either Ty Johnson or rookies Ray Davis and Frank Gore Jr. Gore is the most notable name here as five-time Pro Bowler Frank Gore’s son.

Frank Gore Jr out of Southern Miss is a very interesting option for the Bills

If the Bills want to add to the room I think they should do on Day 3 and he could be that guy

Has good power and has solid skills in the passing game#BillsMafia | #GoBills
pic.twitter.com/wGch8IMuig

— Peter DiBiasi (@DibiasiPeter) March 2, 2024

But Johnson has the most experience with Buffalo. He rushed for 132 yards on 30 attempts in 10 games. He should be a slight favorite to win the position behind Cook.

4. Allen’s Greatest Season Yet

Josh Allen is another MVP contender on the NFL betting lines for the fourth straight season. Listed at +800, only Patrick Mahomes has shorter odds to win MVP. And if the Bills can win 11+ games, make the playoffs (-180), and win the AFC East (+170), it will be hard to argue against. Even the public is betting against Buffalo to win 11 games (-150 on ‘under’ 10½ wins).

The AFC East is tougher assuming Aaron Rodgers stays healthy for the Jets. The Dolphins will also stay prolific. And Buffalo has another difficult schedule – ranked eighth based on their opponents’ combined winning percentage from 2023. Buffalo narrowly won 11 games last season and had to switch offensive coordinators midseason.

Now, Buffalo has lost its top two receivers. And its secondary could be a work-in-progress. Allen’s grueling style of play could also catch up to him. Buffalo reacquired Mitchell Trubisky and he’s played poorly in his 12 appearances since leaving Buffalo in 2022. He’ll be worth watching in this preseason. But don’t hold your breath.

If Allen goes down, the Bills’ season is sunk. It’s sink or swim for Allen and Buffalo this year.

Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.

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