Where to watch Cardinals vs. Bills: TV channel, NFL kickoff time, live stream, spread, odds, prediction

The first Sunday of the 2024 NFL season is upon us and is packed with high-profile matchups, one of which is the showdown scheduled to take place in Orchard Park when the Arizona Cardinals face the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.

Kyler Murray's team is considered a dark horse for potential playoff contenders in the NFC this summer. Arizona is coming off a 4-13 season in 2023 that saw them finish last in the NFC West. However, Murray missed the first part of the year as he was still recovering from the torn ACL he suffered in 2022. The former No. 1 pick has been nursing that injury for well over a year now and will look to get the Cardinals back into the playoff conversation.

Buffalo is firmly in the playoff race in the AFC and just won the AFC East for the fourth year in a row. Josh Allen is a legit MVP candidate, but it will be interesting to see how this offense develops, especially after the offseason trade of Stefon Diggs and the departure of Gabe Davis as a free agent.

This game promises to be one of the most entertaining of the weekend, so to learn more about it and see how you can follow it, check out our analysis below.

All NFL odds are from SportsLine Consensus.

Where can you watch Bills vs Cardinals?

Date: Sunday, September 8th | Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: Highmark Stadium (Orchard Park, NY)
TV: CBS | Electricity: Paramount+ (click here)
Consequences: CBS Sports App
Opportunities: Bills -6.5, O/U 48

Bills vs. Cardinals – what to look out for

Who will be Josh Allen’s preferred pass catcher?

As we mentioned above, Buffalo's receiver room was completely rebuilt this offseason. With Diggs and Davis gone, there are 240 targets up for grabs starting in 2023. How those targets are divided up and which pass catchers become Josh Allen's new favorites will be interesting for those in the fantasy football space, in addition to the actual game, to determine how Buffalo's offense will run this season.

The Bills added wideouts Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins and Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the offense this offseason. They also have Khalil Shakir and rookie second-round pick Keon Coleman on the roster. They should all factor into target share in their own way, but don't underestimate the passing game of second-year tight end Dalton Kincaid. The former first-round pick was second on the team with 91 targets in 2023 and should be even more productive in his second year.

Debut of Marvin Harrison Jr.

Selected No. 4 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, Marvin Harrison Jr. is one of the most highly anticipated receivers to enter the league in recent memory. Even if you ignore his Hall of Fame pedigree, the Ohio State product has been considered a top talent in recent years and is expected to produce from the start. He has rushed for over 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns in each of the last two seasons for the Buckeyes.

His arrival in Arizona and alongside Kyler Murray was an ideal situation as the franchise desperately needed a new go-to receiver on offense. Murray has produced at a high level and No. 1 receivers DeAndre Hopkins and Harrison Jr. could be the last. From 2019-2022, Murray ranked third in the NFL in completion percentage (67%) when targeting wide receivers.

Harrison Jr.'s performance in his debut could have a big impact on how Arizona's offense will perform in 2024 and the youngster's chances of being named Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Prediction for Bills vs. Cardinals

I expect the game to be closer than the 6.5-point lead suggests, so I'm going with the Cardinals' points in this head-to-head matchup. However, I believe the Bills will finish Week 1 victorious, if only by a field goal. Arizona's offense, led by Murray's dual-threat ability, could give the Bills problems. The pass rusher will be a strength for Buffalo in 2024, but Murray's mobility could negate their impact in Week 1. The Cardinals' quarterback has also been a safe bet in this environment. He's 9-1-2 ATS in his career as a five-point (or more) underdog. He's also 5-1 in his last six starts under these circumstances. Murray shouldn't completely collapse, even in Buffalo's hectic environment.

Expected result: Bills 30, Cardinals 27
The choice: Cardinals +6.5