The Tampa Bay Bucs and the Miami Dolphins wish they could just erase the 2017 season off their memories, with both teams winning a combined total of just 11 games a year ago. Projections are not that high for either team heading into the next season, but it could change experts’ perception of them at least for a little bit if they do well in the preseason. Unfortunately, only one of them can win this Thursday.
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Betting Preview for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Miami Dolphins NFL Preseason Week 2 Game on August 9, 2018
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
When: Thursday, August 2, 2018, 7:00 PM ET
Line: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+1.5) vs Miami Dolphins (-1.5) – view all 2018 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: NFL Game Pass
Betting on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+1.5)
The Bucs already suffered a setback way before they even play their first game of the 2018 season with quarterback Jameis Winston suspended for the first three games in the regular season because of a behavioral issue. Even if he behaved like a saint during that controversial Uber ride, Winston is unlikely to play in this game anyway. Backup Ryan Fitzpatrick could see some snaps, but it’s Ryan Griffin expected to be under center most of the time against Miami. Still on offense, the Bucs will also showcase rookie running back Ronald Jones II, who will take over the backfield following the departure of Doug Martin. Jones is a deadly and smart rusher who can quickly detect gaps for him to run through. During his USC days, Jones had 12 rushes of at least 40 yards. He should help Tampa Bay’s offense that averaged just 90.5 rushing yards per game – just 27th in the league. Elsewhere, the Bucs want to see where they are defensively after making quite a number of modifications on their stop unit, including using a No. 12 pick on defensive tackle Vita Vea.
The under is 5-0 in Tampa Bay’s last five August games.
Betting on the Miami Dolphins (-1.5)
Brock Osweiler isn’t exactly the type of quarterback that will inspire a team’s fanbase, but Dolphins fans will have to stomach seeing the quarterback direct Miami’s offense in the preseason. The Dolphins lost Ryan Tannehill to injury last season and had to endure seeing Jay Cutler do work on a weekly basis. Cutler’s gone, so in come Osweiler as the likely choice to serve as Tannehill’s backup. Of course, there’s also veteran signal-callers David Fales and Bryce Petty to compete for that role. Meanwhile, rookie safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who was the Dolphins’ top pick in this year’s draft, will look to use the preseason as an opportunity to learn and sharpen his tools for the upcoming NFL wars. Other rookies that will be showcased are tight end Mike Gesicki, linebacker Jerome Baker, and running back Kalen Ballage.
The over is 4-0 in Miami’s last four preseason games.
Writer’s Prediction
Miami wins, 24-21.
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