The Las Vegas Raiders (2-0 SU, 2-0 ATS) hope to continue their strong start to the 2021 campaign on Sunday when they host the Miami Dolphins (1-1, 1-1) as small home favorites at Allegiant Stadium. The Raiders are favored for the first time this year after winning their first two games vs AFC North opponents as underdogs. The Dolphins beat them 26-25 in Week 16 of last season on a last-second field goal.
- Date/Time: September 26, 4:05 p.m. ET
- Stadium: Allegiant Stadium
- TV Coverage: CBS
- Sportsbook Odds: Raiders -1 | O/U 48 (Line History)
- Dolphins vs Raiders Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
All eyes will be on the starting quarterbacks this week in practice after Derek Carr (ankle) of Las Vegas and Tua Tagovailoa (ribs) of Miami each suffered injuries last week, pushing the total down to 45.5. Tagovailoa’s injury is a bit more severe, although both teams believe their respective quarterbacks will suit up and play in this one. In last year’s game, it was Ryan Fitzpatrick who saved the day for the Dolphins, leading them on three scoring drives in the fourth quarter that resulted in one touchdown and two field goals, including the game-Sportsbook. Of course, Fitzpatrick is no longer there, so it would be Jacoby Brissett under center if Tua cannot go. The line move in favor of the Raiders up to -3.5 is mainly due to their performance last week in a 26-17 road upset of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Miami News & Notes
Miami found a way to win at New England in Week 1, relying on strong defense and timely offensive plays to pull off the small upset. Then the Dolphins faced an angry Buffalo Bills team coming off a loss, and also lost Tagovailoa in the process, resulting in an ugly 35-0 defeat.
The good news is that it is just one game, and Miami did win at Vegas a year ago. The difference obviously this season is that there will be opposing fans in the stands, and the crowd noise could be a factor regardless of who is taking the snaps.
Brissett, though, is a veteran who has played well at times for the Patriots and Indianapolis Colts, and he will not be afraid to play in this situation if called upon.
Las Vegas News & Notes
Carr dodged a bullet at Pittsburgh, as his ankle injury could have been a lot worse. Instead, he gutted it out and led the team to one of its biggest road wins in years. He has to be considered one of the very early favorites to win NFL MVP honors based on his leadership and pure passing numbers, leading the league with 817 yards (Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals is second with 689).
The big question now is whether he can keep it up. Las Vegas does not need him to overdo things and be a hero all the time, as he still has a tendency to hold on to the ball too long and take unnecessary hits.
Defensively, the Raiders have played much better this year too, so the offense simply needs to avoid mistakes and work more on a balanced attack with Josh Jacobs possibly returning.
Staff Betting Pick: Dolphins +3.5
This has three-point game written all over it, mainly because Las Vegas is due for a letdown after posting two huge victories to start the year. The Raiders have been a great story so far, but they could have easily lost either of their first two games – or both. Many sharps played a similar angle last week at Pittsburgh, and Vegas let them down. They were a week early, though, as the Raiders will need some luck to improve to 3-0 here.
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Buy Sports Picks Now- Miami is 7-1 SU in its past 8 games vs Las Vegas.
- Las Vegas is 5-1 SU and ATS in its last 6 in September.
- The OVER is 7-0 in the past 7 meetings.
