The Miami Dolphins will take the field for the first time under new coach Dan Campbell, trying to avoid a fourth straight loss. Can the Titans get over the hump against a team that’s on the ropes? Tennessee is also riding a three-game losing streak with the last two coming in Nashville by a combined three points. The Titans are getting closer but have still lost 13 of their last 14.
ODDS
Tennessee opened as a 1-point favorite in a matchup of two bad recent bets. The Titans are 4-15 ATS in their last 19 games, while Miami is 1-8 ATS in its last nine. The line was wagered to -1.5. The total opened at 45.5 and was bet down to 43.5.
KEY INJURIES
Cameron Wake – Has been limited in practice with a hamstring injury and is questionable to play Sunday. Miami’s banged up defensive end has been ineffective this season and Derrick Shelby has seen increased playing time. Terrence Fede could also be in line for more snaps.
Taylor Lewan – Has been bothered by a pinched nerve in his shoulder that has led to stingers. He was limited in practice this week and is questionable to play Sunday.
KEY MISMATCH
Campbell hasn’t committed to any personnel changes on his struggling offensive line, but has indicated the team will provide more help to the front five and stay more focused on the run. The new coach also seeks better offensive balance to support inconsistent quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who has been sacked 10 times through four games and struggled with accuracy and blitz recognition. Miami ranks 28th in total offense with 314.8 yards per game and second to last in rushing at 69.3. Tannehill’s 56.7 completion percentage and 77.1 passer rating are both among the worst in the NFL. Miami must be efficient offensively, which means using the run to set up the pass. Expect more opportunities for Lamar Miller against a run defense that surrenders 117 yards per game. The Titans do have the top pass defense in the NFL, allowing only 166.5 yards in the air per game, but they do have one flaw. When they get beat, they get beat deep. So it might be time for the Dolphins to take the shackles off No. 1 draft pick DeVante Parker.
KEY STAT
1.0 – Miami’s league-low quarterback sack total. The Titans have allowed 14 sacks on quarterback Marcus Mariota, the seventh-highest total in the NFL.
BETTING ANGLE
The Dolphins became the first team to fire their head coach when Joe Philbin was let go following a loss to the Jets two weeks ago. Miami then had the benefit of a bye week for the adjustment to Campbell and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Maybe the change will do some good. The team is counting on it. The Dolphins are just 1-3 both SU and ATS this season following that 27-14 loss in London two weeks ago, and there wasn’t much good to take away from it. The story was the same three weeks ago when the Dolphins lost at home to Buffalo 41-14. But before the season started, Miami looked like a team that could contend for playoff spot. And the team is still relatively healthy after the off week. There is a pair of winnable games in front of the Dolphins with the Titans followed by Houston. If they can find a spark under Campbell, discover a running game and show a little more tenacity of defense, they could be back at .500.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Titans haven’t figured out how to close out games, blowing late leads in each of the last two defeats. And until they do they are a risky bet, especially as the favored team. Mariota has been good in his rookie season and the Tennessee defense is solid, which should equate to more wins, and will later in the season. But the Dolphins got a kick in the pants with the firing of Philbin and Campbell taking over. The Dolphins are more talented than their record and will get an initial boost from the coaching change. Coming off their bye, the Dolphins find the motivation to keep their season hopes alive against a Titans team that keeps finding ways to lose winnable games.
Miami 24, Tennessee 20
BookMaker opened the spread for this Sunday game at -1 in favor of the Titans. The NFL online odds total surfaced at 45.5. Minute-by-minute spreads, totals and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
Access live betting lines from your mobile device or tablet at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans will square off Sunday, October 18, 2015, at 1 p.m. ET at Nissan Stadium. The matchup will be televised live on CBS.
