The 2-3 Detroit Lions are well-rested and that should help them when they travel to South Beach for a date with the 4-2 Miami Dolphins, who continue to refuse to disappear from the New England Patriots’ rearview mirror.
The Lions are +5,000 to win the NFC title, while the Dolphins have the same odds to top the AFC.
The Detroit Lions headed into a Week 6 bye feeling good about themselves, as they entered it following a 21-23 win over the Green Bay Packers at home. Quarterback Matthew Stafford went 14-of-26 for two touchdowns with no interceptions, while the backfield offered ample support with a pair of rushing scores – both scored by running back LeGarrette Blount. Stafford’s performance was extremely dwarfed by Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who had 442 passing yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions. The Lions ineffectiveness in stopping Rodgers can be excusable because that’s Aaron Rodgers, but they should have more success in Miami regardless whether it’s Ryan Tannehill or Brock Osweiler under center for the Dolphins. The Lions are seventh in the NFL against the pass with just 222.0 yards allowed per game through the air.
The Lions 3-1 ATS in their last four road games.
Betting on the Miami Dolphins (4-2)
The Dolphins were a little bit lucky in their 31-28 overtime win over the Chicago Bears last week, but the bottom line is that they emerged the victors in a game in which they didn’t have the services of quarterback Ryan Tannehill. With Tannehill out with a shoulder injury, the Dolphins called on Brock Osweiler, who went full Mr. Brocktober by passing for 380 yards and three touchdowns on 28-of-44 completions. He had two interceptions, but those errors become more forgivable when considering he was up against a stout Chicago defense. In any case and regardless who starts as quarterback for the Dolphins, they should hand the ball more to their backfield of Frank Gore and Kenyan Drake this Sunday. The Lions have one of the poorest run defenses in the league. They are 30th overall with 145.8 rushing yards allowed per game. The ageless Gore had 101 rushing yards and 15 carries in the Chicago game, while Drake added 57 rushing yards on 13 carries.
The Dolphins are 3-0 SU and 3-0 ATS in their last three home games.
