Things don’t get any easier for the woeful Miami Dolphins this week when they visit Dak Prescott and the 2-0 Dallas Cowboys. The Fish, who were outscored 102-10 by the Ravens and Patriots in their first two games at home, are underdogs of more than three touchdowns.
Miami Dolphins vs Dallas Cowboys (Matchup Report)
Date/Time: September 22, 1 p.m. ET
TV Coverage: FOX
Sportsbook Odds: Dallas -20 | O/U 46.5 (Line History)
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
After the Dolphins didn’t even sniff a cover as 19.5-point underdogs last week at home to New England, oddsmakers had little choice but to make them even bigger dogs this week on the road. That didn’t stop early bettors from pounding the Cowboys, moving this line up over three touchdowns by Monday night. The OVER also drew early money, ticking up a point from the opener of 46.5.
Miami News & Notes
Other than columnists speculating about whether the 2019 Dolphins are the worst team in NFL history, a pair of Fitzpatricks have dominated the Miami football news cycle this week.
Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who recorded 11 tackles and forced a fumble in Miami’s first two games, was shipped to Pittsburgh on Monday for a trio of draft picks. Meanwhile, veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is expected to make his third straight start despite throwing a pair of pick-sixes last week vs the Patriots.
Dallas News & Notes
Dallas used to be an auto-fade at home when laying over a touchdown, covering just once in 13 tries in that situation from 2010 to 2015. But Jason Garrett and company have turned that trend around since, going 3-0-1 against the number in their last four — including a 35-17 rout of the Giants in the season opener.
Quarterback Dak Prescott doesn’t seem fazed at all by ongoing contract negotiations. In fact, he may have elevated his value with a pair of stellar showings to start the year, completing 82.3 percent of his passes for 679 yards, seven touchdowns and just one interception in wins over New York and Washington.
The one fear here for Cowboys backers might be a potential letdown spot for Big D, coming off a pair of division wins and scheduled to visit the Saints next week on Sunday Night Football. If Dallas has this game well in hand in the second half, don’t be surprised to see Garrett take his foot off the gas and rest some of his starters.
Betting Pick: UNDER 47.5
The Dolphins clearly appear to be mailing it in, while the Cowboys’ biggest concern this week should be simply remaining healthy for more important games on deck. I expect Dallas to control this game on the ground, keeping the clock running throughout in a low-scoring affair.
- The Dolphins are 0-7 SU and 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games on the road.
- The total has gone OVER in 7 of the Cowboys’ last 9 games at home.
- The total has gone UNDER in 7 of the last 9 meetings.
