'Tis Wednesday, good fellows! And thus may we commence our weekly football filament! Having been the favoured side at home against New England the Miami Dolphins now traverse afar, deep into the desert, to challenge the nefarious Las Vegas Raiders, in what is expected to be a hard fought contest. _____________________________ Oddsshark Preview: December 26, 2020, 8:15 PM ET Allegiant Stadium Miami Dolphins 9-5 (11-3 ATS) Las Vegas Raiders 7-7 (7-7 ATS) Predicted Score 23.9 25.8 Las Vegas will Win, Cover the Spread, and the Total will go Over. Opening Odds Analysis The game opened with the Raiders as favorites at -1.5 but the line has shifted in favor of the Dolphins, who are now favorites at -2.5 across the board. The total opened at 46.5 and has moved up slightly to 47 and 48 depending on the sportsbook. Miami News & Notes The Dolphins defense has been the story of their season. The Dolphins have allowed the second-fewest points in the NFL and lead the league with 26 forced turnovers. Star cornerback Xavien Howard is starting to garner Defensive Player of the Year buzz as the young playmaker now tops the league with nine interceptions. The numbers are underwhelming, but Tua Tagovailoa now sports a 5-2 record as a starter with nine touchdowns and just two interceptions. The rookie quarterback has not exactly been putting the team on his back, but he is playing competent, safe football that gives his team a chance to win every week. Tagovailoa has not had a full complement of weapons at his disposal (which could be contributing to the mediocre numbers) and that could continue this weekend as DeVante Parker, Mike Gesicki and Jakeem Grant are all questionable for Week 16. Las Vegas News & Notes The Las Vegas Raiders have certainly had an up-and-down season, at times looking great and at other times looking like a bottom-five team in the league. The defense has certainly been bottom five as only three teams have allowed more points than the Raiders. Only five teams have created fewer turnovers and only four teams are allowing more yards on a per play basis. The Raiders have been much better on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterback Derek Carr is having one of the best statistical years of his career and now ranks ninth in completion percentage, ninth in quarterback rating and 10th in QBR. The problem is Carr was hurt in Vegas’ Week 15 loss to the Chargers and is questionable for this game. If Carr is unable to play, veteran Marcus Mariota would get the start. Mariota was 17-for-28 for 226 yards with a touchdown and an interception in Week 15, adding 88 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Betting Pick: Dolphins -2.5 The Dolphins are the better team, have a far better defense and should not have trouble scoring on the Raiders. Meanwhile, the Raiders could be without their starting quarterback. _____________________________
Bummer, won’t watch that game live. 2:30 am, little late for me... But we should manage to get the W there, if we keep playing like the new Dolphins we all got almost accustomed to.
It's another must win for the playoffs. It gets us the ten wins, but i'm afraid it'll take 11 this year to go to the dance. I'll be honest, i'm more worried about Mariotta than I am Carr. We're going to have to rough him up a little bit to keep him in check. Do that, and we should be ok. This will be a close game.
I think we beat the Raiders by a decent margin this weekend as we dial up pressure on Mariota. The ground game will continue but hey, we might have some receivers to throw at this week as well! Miami wins it, 30-13. X also gets two more picks (one if Carr starts) to add to his impressive 2020 collection.
Ya its certainly going to take 11 to get in, at this point. Borderline impossible at 10. Every week is a playoff week for this team, like Flo said. LV has an offense that, when clicking, can put up a lot of points quick...luckily we have a defense that specializes in preventing that exact situation. Their running backs are no joke when they get ticking too, so it's gonna be a chess match for 4 quarters. I'm not so sure they get to the over...kinda surprised the Dolphins are favored on the road. LV is in a bit of a funk though so I guess it makes sense. Coming up short against KC their last game seems to have broken them...their last 4 games haven't been good at all. Need the good guys to punch 'em in the mouth and keep punching! Miami 27-13
If we win this game, I’m happy even if we lose against Buffalo. Being in contention and winning 10 games was so far beyond my expectations. Obviously, I want us to win out and make the playoffs but managing my buddy expectations.
Gaskin also activated from the C-19 list. I was going to cheekily add Ahmed into my fantasy football final line-up this week but I guess Gaskin will be numero uno in the pecking order, won't he?
Was watching NFL Now on the NFLN and waited for the preview of the Dolphins raiders game and all they talked about is how Miami is going to find a way to defend Raiders TE Darren Waller. Even if this was the AFC Championship Game this is probably the disrespect we would still get from the terrible Networks who ignore the fact that Miami will soon be a scary good team in the NFL. Can't wait for a dolphins win on saturday! It's times like this when its literally us against the rest of the NFL. Miami vs. Analysts, commentators, fans and teams. It's been personal for a very long time.
The thing is, it really doesn't matter- none of it. Let the haters hate and the talking heads talk. Miami has proven all of them wrong two seasons in a row. I personally like us being the underdog that gets overlooked, but that's honestly not happening anymore with NFL teams. They know we're the real deal and there's not an easy way to beat us in the passing game. With our run D improving every week, we are a nightmare match-up for just about anyone....and we haven't had a single skill player on offense starting except for our rookie QB! Once our offense even partially catches up, we're going to be a top-5 team for a very long time.
I know we're getting to see the Fins a day early, but because of the holiday and already having a few days off, this kickoff feels like it's taking absolutely forever to arrive!
Fastest ball-carrier this season so far? Kinda surprising: https://www.nfl.com/videos/next-gen-stats-top-5-fastest-ball-carriers-through-sunday-of-week-15
Hype.. Miami Dolphins (@miamidolphins) Tweeted: Prime. Time. Under the lights. #FinsUp x @Bose #MIAvsLV - 12/26 on @NFLNetwork https://t.co/PRMpHlnfl3
Hope everyone had a good Christmas! Everyone picking us tonight on NFLN. Can't remember that last time I've seen that for us on a prime time game.
Well that was a pretty underwhelming start on O against a pretty bad D statistically. Now a big punt return too. Not the start I was hoping to see.
Carr telegraphed that sneak 200%. Already leaning into the line before the play. Apparently the D didn't notice
Getting manhandled up front by one of the worst defenses in the league so far. Guess that's why our offense is near the bottom of the league as well. Nice throw there from Tua go pick up the first down.
Grant's hands are just awful. If he catches that ball cleanly it's an easy first, and from the look we got downfield a real good chance at 6.
Raiders knowing we won't throw it deep is a huge advantage on defense. Hopefully our defense can get us some short fields or put up some points.
I’ll be very disappointed if Grant is on the field for anything other than kick returns or for an occasional gadget play next season
Looking like the defense is going to have to make some big plays or force a turnover or two if we are going to win this one so far.
This feels a lot like the Broncos game. Gotta step it up on both sides of the ball ASAP or the playoffs are done.
and just like that; there's the defense making a play with the sack. Time for the offense to wake up.