TNF Preview and Bets: Miami Dolphins @ Cincinnati Bengals
Sports Opinion by Josh Blatt and Ethan Irish
After a great win at home against one of, if not the best team in the NFL in the Buffalo Bills, the undefeated Miami Dolphins go to Cincinnati to take on the struggling Bengals. The Bengals are coming into this one at 1-2 on the season for what seems to be their first real test.
TNF: Miami Dolphins @ Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5)
Josh's Take:
I'm real unconfident with who is going to win this game, but if Tua Tagovailoa is ruled out this game is won by the Bengals. Miami has a good defense, and a secondary that could easily give Joe Burrow trouble-- as the Steelers defense did in week one. There are a couple of bets that I feel really good about, I feel like Chase Edmonds will get a lot of dump off passes-- more so if Tua is playing while injured but also if back up quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is in the game. I know I'm not the only person who didn't know that Bridgewater was on the Dolphins roster. Edmonds receiving yards prop is set at 12.5 yards. I think he'll get a good amount of targets, again if Tua is all banged up and isn't feeling confident in his deep ball.
Joe Burrow has completed 23 or more passes in every game of this young season, and has been a little lackluster with his play-- with that being said his completion percentage hasn't been low by any means. His completions prop has been set at 24.5, I feel a lot more comfortable taking this prop than I do with his passing yards, which is set at 268.5 yards. Especially with the superb secondary play of the Miami Dolphins. I do think that the Dolphins will cover the 3.5 point spread, but a lot of that hinges on the play of Tagovailoa.
Ethan's Take:
Weird game honestly and I think a lot of it comes down to Tua's health which is incredible because a year and a half ago I would have been saying get him off the team. However, he has proven himself this year and adding a few weapons including Tyreek Hill definitely helps. On the other side, the Bengals are coming in as 3.5 point favorites, which is interesting. Their offensive line is still horrid letting Joe Burrow get sacked on more than 10% of passing plays. They might get lucky in this spot though when factoring in how bad the Miami pass rush is sitting at 26th in sack %, 26th in opponent yards per pass attempt, and 23rd in opponent plays per game. They just are not getting to the quarterback quick enough and allowing receivers to get open through their first three games.
If the Bengals o-line can just minimize the hits they are allowing opponents to get on Joe Burrow I think they have a good shot to win and even cover in this game. With that, Miami can still put up a crazy amount of points in a short period of time. We saw it against the Ravens would not be surprised if they did it against another AFC North opponent.
Josh's Bets:
Chase Edmonds o12.5 Receiving Yards (-113) (Fanduel)
Joe Burrow o24.5 Pass Completions (-108) (Fanduel)
Dolphins Spread +3.5 (-114) (Fanduel)
Ethan's Bets:
Ja'Marr Chase Receiving Yards O71.5 (-115) (DraftKings)
Miami/Cincinnati 1Q Total O9.5 (-110) (Caesars Sportsbook)
Bengals -3.5 (-106) (Fanduel)