Dolphins Defense Will Step Up In Tua's Absence
The Dolphins got annihilated last week by the Bills and lost starting QB Tua Tagovailoa
Matthew Horner - Sep 25, 2021, 9:08am EDT
- The Dolphins got annihilated last week by the Buffalo Bills, and in the process, lost their starting QB Tua Tagovailoa. Can they step up without him?
- The spread is currently Miami +4.5, but with sportsbooks reporting more than 90 percent of ticket count on the Raiders and almost 80 percent of the money on Vegas, this line will likely climb to +5. If you’re picking the Dolphins with me, wait it out and see how many points you can grab before kickoff.
All The Money On Raiders
People aren't giving the Dolphins much of a chance this week, with more than 90 percent of ticket count on the Raiders and almost 80 percent of the money on Vegas. Why wouldn't they? The Raiders are 2-0 and coming back home to face a team that just lost its starting QB and scored exactly zero points in Week 2. That's fine with me, I'll take the points with Miami.
Miami’s defense thrives against teams like Vegas. They led the league with 29 takeaways in 2020, and while that stat is tough to repeat, the Dolphins have continued to produce game-changing plays with four takeaways in the first two games of 2021. Even in last week’s awful loss to Buffalo, Miami forced two fumbles and picked off Josh Allen. They held the Bills’ air attack to 171 yards on 17-for-33 passing. Derek Carr has been great for Vegas so far, but I'm betting some regression comes this weekend.
Pick: Miami Steps Up, Hands Vegas First Loss
As far as the quarterback situation for the Dolphins goes, Tagovailoa is a young and dynamic player, but is still new behind the wheel. The dip in production between Tua and backup Jacoby Brissett is not really that big, if any at all. Brissett has plenty of experience under center playing for New England and Indianapolis, and can handle starting for the Dolphins in his absence.
This is what I call a perfect sandwich spot for the Raiders. A big letdown after the win in Pittsburgh, while looking ahead to a huge Monday matchup with the Chargers in Week 4. If you’re picking the Dolphins with me, wait it out and see how many points you can grab before kickoff. It is currently +4.5, but I expect it to rise with all that money coming in.
