The sweat may be pooling up in all the wrong places, but, before you know it, changing leaves, cool temperatures and football will be in the air. To help fantasy managers and devoted bettors get through summer’s soaring heat, The Gaming Juice’s resident gridiron gambler, Brad Evans, is here to preview each NFL franchise -- fantasy values, prop picks and team win totals. Channeling Richard Dent, Reggie White and J.J. Watt, the Three-Point Stance has eyes on sacking the sportsbooks and fantasy rivals.
Today’s featured squad: Buffalo Bills
Fantasy value - Keon Coleman, WR (ADP: WR50, 107.40) - Invest in the second-year wideout and you too may be as wonderfully tickled by his contributing numbers as the wide receiver was about various on-site amenities the franchise offered when he first visited One Bills Drive last year.
Once back at full strength, Khalil Shakir (ankle) is sure to regain his WR1 on-field role. The converted hoopster, however, has reasonable odds of advancing his game in Year 2, likely becoming a favorite red-zone weapon of Josh Allen.
Last year in his rookie campaign, the young wideout only sporadically made fantasy noise. A wrist injury squashed his upward trajectory midseason, costing him four games. Overall, he averaged an uneventful 4.4 targets per game, totaling a 29-556-4 line in 13 contests. His WR55 finish in fantasy PPR per game scoring was terribly mundane.
However, his production in a couple of influential advanced categories sells optimism. Among qualifying WRs, he finished No. 13 or higher in yards per target (9.8), average depth of target (15.2) and yards per reception (19.2). His ability to win outside on downfield routes presents a rosy outlook.
Locked into the starting X role in Orchard Park, Coleman could take a sizable step forward this fall. Throughout the summer, beat writers have regularly expressed "breakout" confidence in him.
Reportedly a "different looking player" in training camp according to boots on the ground, he's a prime mid-draft candidate who could flirt with WR3 numbers in 12-team leagues.
This season, Coleman's value won't live in a cryogenic chamber.
Prop pick - Josh Allen 12+ rush TDs (+110, BetMGM) - Those who choose to avoid the MVP candidate whether in betting or fantasy are truly the ultimate 'Sinners.' The QB's real-life wife Hailee Steinfeld, who starred in Ryan Coogler's instant vampire classic, would most certainly agree.
For gamblers seeking quality plus money bets, sinking one's teeth in anything ground related on Allen is a sportsbook-draining move.
At 6-foot-5 and 237 pounds, Buffalo's ironman is one of the most assertive downhill runners in the game. Unsurprisingly, the bulky-framed passer ranked top six among qualifying QBs in YAC per attempt (3.17) and totaled missed forced (20) last year.
Of Allen's 102 carries tallied in 2024, one-third (32) came inside the red zone. When he typically lines up in shotgun inside the 10, his short-runway bursts are hard to contain -- especially plowing ahead behind a premium Bills offensive line.
In total the past two falls, Allen has crossed the chalk 27 times, scoring a dozen or more rush TDs in each season. His almost unstoppable leg churn in goal-line situations combined with offensive coordinator Joe Brady's conservative lean is a convincing formula for continued success.
Make the blood rush, Josh.
Team lean - Bills OVER 12.5 regular season wins (+120, BetMGM) - Bills Mafia is sure to squirt condiments and smash tables in celebration early and often this season. Though Allen still lacks a sure-fire WR1, his team is one of the most balanced in the league. Unquestionably, its a Super Bowl contender.
ESPN's Mike Clay predicts 11.8 wins for Sean McDermott's men, giving them a 58% or better win probability in a mind-blowing 16 games. Pass the Heinz.
This team is playoff bound and very much in the "best overall record" conversation. How it performs in the playoffs is an entirely different discussion, but as far as the regular season goes, Buffalo should fill backer wallets will plenty of green on the OVER above. The AFC East's generally weak nature certainly helps.