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Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Understanding Public and Money
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Expert Picks
The Ravens have owned the Dolphins over the last decade, going 6-1 head-to-head with just two close games (1-1) between the teams. Baltimore blitzed Miami 38-6 last season, putting an end to the Fins' six-game winning streak in decisive fashion on a Monday night. Despite all of that, the Dolphins are the better team this season. Miami has more offensive firepower, and though Baltimore has a better overall defense, the Fins are underrated. Most importantly, the Ravens are injured and the Dolphins -- outside of quarterback -- are healthy. On a short week, that matters. Though Miami is hitting the road for this Thursday night kick, the team has dealt with way greater adversity this season. Plus, I don't think Baltimore will be able to take advantage of Miami's greatest weakness -- its secondary. This will be a close game, and I want the points.
Matt Moore stepped in last week and did great things within this Dolphins offense, leading the comeback win against the Jets. Things are different when you’re the starter as opposed to coming off the bench. The Ravens' defense will present a lot more problems than the Jets did. Lay the points.
What primarily draws me to the Over is simple math. A 21-17 final suggests a defensive battle, but it would be sufficient. Same with 24-14. The Dolphins’ switch to second-stringer Matt Moore might be a plus. Moore’s passer rating under coach Adam Gase is 105, Cutler’s 79 in a short stint. The team averages 6.7 points per quarter with Moore at the helm, twice the output for Jay Cutler. Granted, coming off the bench, as Moore did to rally the Dolphins with 17 late points Sunday, is different than starting. But the veteran has done decently when he takes the first snap. The Ravens’ offense does not lead to optimism, but there is this: K Justin Tucker has the best field-goal range in the NFL. His efforts produce only three points, not six. But with the total this minuscule, every little bit counts.