The Miami Dolphins pulled off a surprising upset victory at home in Week 6 and look to continue their home success in Week 7 as the Detroit Lions travel to Hard Rock Stadium. Both teams come into the game with strong ATS records.
- The OVER has hit in seven of Miami’s last nine home games.
- The OVER has hit in six of Detroit’s last eight road games.
- Miami is 5-1 SU and ATS in its last six home games.
THIS SUNDAY I’M BETTING ON THE DOLPHINS ATS
They say it’s tough to beat the heat, and nowhere is that truer than in Miami. The Dolphins are 3-0 at home, and in each game, temperatures have been in the high 80s, with heavy humidity.
The result? Opposing teams have looked exhausted at the end of games, which shows in the Dolphins having scored 46 points in the fourth quarter of their home games. It’s especially difficult for teams not accustomed to those conditions, such as the Chicago Bears, whose top-ranked defense came into Miami in Week 6 having allowed 1,178 yards in its first four games combined, and proceeded to give up 541 yards in temperatures that felt close to 100 degrees. Miami also rushed for 161 yards in that contest, when Chicago had given up an average of 64 per game up to that point.
This Week 7 contest is forecasting a temperature around 86 degrees — without humidity. Detroit plays its home games in the comfort of a domed stadium and already gives up the third-most rushing yards per game (145.8); that is a recipe for another long, exhausting day, and continues the blueprint for the Dolphins to wear down opponents to get a victory.
The Lions have the talent to win, but some things are just out of your control, such as the weather, and it plays too big of a factor to ignore. My bet is on the Dolphins covering the point spread.
THE MYSTERY OF TANNEHILL
Miami head coach Adam Gase seemed quite shocked that starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill was unable to start in Week 6 due to a shoulder injury, and he had to turn to veteran Brock Osweiler for an emergency start.
Osweiler responded by going 28-for-44 for 380 yards with three touchdowns, leading the Dolphins to an overtime victory against the Bears.
Osweiler spread the ball around, completing passes to eight different receivers, and also utilized big plays, tallying five completions of 25-plus yards, including 45- and 75-yard touchdown passes to Albert Wilson.
Right now it is unknown if Tannehill will play in Week 7. But if he doesn’t, it appears the Dolphins will still employ the same game plan: power running, spreading the ball and taking deep shots.
A NEW NO. 1 WR IS EMERGING?
Don’t look now, but the Detroit Lions look like they may have a new star wide receiver in the making.
Whether you choose to call him “Kenny G” or “Babytron,” Kenny Golladay is a dynamic talent who is only getting better.
A third-round pick last season, Golladay has quickly become quarterback Matthew Stafford’s favorite target out wide. He’s second on the team in targets and receptions (behind Golden Tate, one of the league’s top slot receivers), but is 15th among all wideouts with 15.9 yards per reception, a better number than those of established stars such as A.J. Green, DeAndre Hopkins and Mike Evans.
A big target at six-foot-four and 213 pounds, Golladay has eclipsed the 100-yard mark once so far this year, and his most recent contest saw him log 98 yards and a touchdown, with his yards per reception increasing each of his last two games.
He could be in for another big day Sunday, matching up with either the smaller Xavien Howard or the even smaller Bobby McCain, who are part of a Dolphins secondary that allows the eighth-most passing yards per game, as well as the fifth-most yards per pass attempt.
If Golladay gets rolling and continues his trend of making big plays and putting up nice numbers, bettors looking at the OVER could have a successful Sunday.
