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Dolphins Are Slight Underdogs in NFL Odds vs. Raiders in Week 9

Dolphins Are Slight Underdogs in NFL Odds vs. Raiders in Week 9

Written by on November 3, 2017

The Oakland Raiders and Miami Dolphins have two things in common: They were both AFC wild-card teams last season and both are likely to miss the playoffs this year. The Raiders have a history of not covering games in the Eastern Time Zone as favorites but they are favored here on the NFL odds board. Oakland is favored by a field goal to win.

Oakland at Miami Week 9 NFL Odds, Game Info & Pick

When: Sunday, 8:30 PM ET Where: Hard Rock Stadium TV:  NBC Radio: 95.7 The GAME (Oakland) / 560 WQAM  (Miami) Opening NFL Odds: Raiders -3 (44)

Weather Forecast

  • Clear: 24°C/76°F
  • Humidity: 82%
  • Precipitation: 5%
  • Wind: 6 mph NE
  • Cloud Cover: 13%
  • Type of Stadium: Open

Last Meeting

Current Oakland coach Jack Del Rio might not have the job right now if not for the last meeting between the Raiders and Dolphins. In Week 4 of the 2014 season, the Raiders fell to 0-4 with a 38-14 loss to Miami in London. Ryan Tannehill completed 23 of 31 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns. Of course, he’s out injured this season. Raiders starting quarterback Derek Carr, then a rookie, was injured in the third quarter, replaced by Matt McGloin. The next day, the Raiders fired coach Dennis Allen. Del Rio took over to start the 2015 season.

Latest NFL Betting Trends

  • Raiders are 1-5 ATS in the last 6 games
  • Raiders are 1-5 SU in the last 6 games
  • The total went UNDER in 6 of Oakland’s last 8 games on the road
  • Dolphins are 2-3-1 ATS in the last 6 games
  • Dolphins are 13-6 SU in the last 19 games
  • The total went UNDER in 6 of Miami’s last 8 games

Why Bet On Oakland’s NFL Odds?

Since 2003, the Raiders have only been favored in the Eastern Time Zone a total of five times, and in those five games, they’ve gone 0-5 both straight up and ATS. One of those losses came this year when they were a 3.5 point favorite in a Week 3 game against the Redskins that they lost 27-10. Last week, Oakland lost 34-14 in Buffalo. Carr threw for 313 yards on 31-of- 49 passing with one touchdown and two interceptions in the loss. After completing three of four passes that went 15-plus yards in the first quarter for 82 yards, he did not connect on another deep ball the rest of the game, going 0-for-4 with two picks on those throws. WR Michael Crabtree led the team with 83 receiving yards on five catches and RB DeAndré Washington led the team in rushing, posting 26 yards and also paced the team with eight receptions and added a receiving score. The Raiders played without the suspended Marshawn Lynch, who will return here. The Raiders have been opportunistic in 2017, scoring touchdowns on 64.7 percent of their trips inside opponents’ 20-yard line. Additionally, the Raiders’ red zone defense ranks fifth in the NFL, holding opponents to only a 40.0% touchdown success rate, trailing only the Bengals, Chargers, Seahawks and Ravens. The Oakland offensive line is playing outstanding as always, allowing pressure on a league-low 13.0 percent of dropbacks.

Team Statistics

Offense:
  • Average Score For: 21.12
  • Total Yards: 317.75
  • Pass Yards: 229.75
  • Rush Yards: 88
Defense:
  • Average Score Against: 23.75
  • Total Yards: 356.88
  • Pass Yards: 236.50
  • Rush Yards: 120.38

Why Bet On Miami’s NFL Odds?

Despite having a winning record, the Dolphins are home underdogs to a team that’s two games under .500. Although the Dolphins offense has been bad lately, the Raiders have almost been worse. The Raiders have lost five of their past six games and in those five losses, they’re averaging just 13.4 points per game. The Dolphins lost 40-0 last Thursday night to Baltimore behind backup QB Matt Moore, who had two interceptions returned for a touchdown. He’ll go back to the bench as Jay Cutler will return from cracked ribs. Expect the Raiders players to target those ribs. The Fins made a shocking trade this week, sending 2016 Pro Bowl running back Jay Ajayi to Philadelphia for a fourth-round pick. The Dolphins traded Ajayi because they believe that his most productive games are behind him, fearing that knee issues stemming from a significant 2011 surgery are finally catching up to him. Ajayi has rushed 138 times for 465 yards (3.4 average) over seven games for the Dolphins this season. He is coming off a big 2016 campaign in which he racked up more than 1,200 yards (4.9 per carry) with eight touchdowns. Are the Dolphins a safe bet in NFL Week 9? Ajayi became the first Dolphins player traded during a season since 2015 when cornerback Will Davis was sent to the Baltimore Ravens for a seventh-round draft pick. So who will take over as the starting running back? It’s expected to be a shared role by Damien Williams and Kenyan Drake. Dolphins WR Jarvis Landry ranks second in the NFL with 50 catches this season.  With five catches against Oakland, Landry, who has 338 receptions since entering the league in 2014, would surpass Anquan Boldin (342) for the most catches by a player in his first four seasons in NFL history.

Team Statistics

Offense:
  • Average Score For: 13.14
  • Total Yards: 252.43
  • Pass Yards: 176
  • Rush Yards: 76.43
Defense:
  • Average Score Against: 21.71
  • Total Yards: 306.29
  • Pass Yards: 210.86
  • Rush Yards: 95.43

Series History

  • Total Meetings: 37
  • First Meeting: September 2nd, 1966. Orange Bowl. Miami, Florida
  • Last Meeting: September 28th, 2014. Wembley Stadium. London, England
  • All-Time Series: Oakland Raiders 19-17-1
  • Largest Margin of Victory: Oakland 27-0 (2001)
  • Longest Win Streak: Oakland 6 (1980-1986)
  • Current Win Streak: Miami 5 (2008-2014)

Expert Prediction & Week 9 NFL Pick

That Raiders Eastern Time Zone betting trend is concerning, but I’m buying this line down to 2.5 and taking Oakland in the NFL odds.