_preview-bm.jpeg "Dolphins-at-Ravens-(CBS)_preview-bm")
The Dolphins lost by a combined score of 40-6 to the Jets and Saints in consecutive weeks early on but then bounced back with a road upset of defending NFC champion Atlanta in Week 6 before squeaking past the Jets on Sunday. The Ravens have beaten the Bengals and Raiders by double-digit points but have also fallen to Jaguars by 37 and the Steelers by 17.
It’s hard to know how this one is going to end up, but the Ravens have the home field advantage and seem to be the more talented team, so they should be the favorite in this showdown.
Watch this regular season Week 8 matchup live on Thursday, October 26, 2017, at 1 p.m. ET at M&T Bank Stadium.
Opening NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Miami Dolphins +3
Baltimore Ravens -3
Over/Under 38
Odds Analysis
The oddsmakers see this as a pretty even battle, with the Ravens getting a slight nod because of the home field advantage. Both sides have been so up and down that it seems like a good idea to just ride the underdog since the outcome is hard to figure.
Injury Report
DeVante Parker -- The Dolphins wide receiver hurt his ankle a couple of weeks ago and has now missed two straight games. He is a nic piece for the Miami offense but his absence wouldn’t have a huge impact on the spread.
Mike Pouncey -- The Dolphins’ center suffered a concussion against the Falcons in Week 6 but was able to start the game against the Jets. He is a pivotal piece on the offensive line for Miami.
Jeremy Maclin -- The Baltimore wideout missed last week’s loss to the Vikings with a shoulder injury. He is a big-play threat on an offense in short supply of them, and the Ravens are hoping he will be available in this contest.
Key Stat
13. That’s the number of interceptions the starting quarterbacks have combined for this season. Jay Cutler and Joe Flacco have each found a fair bit of success in their careers, with Flacco winning a Super Bowl, but are not playing at a high level any longer.
Flacco has thrown for 1,189 yards in seven games this season, which is an average of less than 170 yards per game. He has tossed eight picks with only five touchdowns. Flacco has had some really poor outings this season, which has doomed the Ravens’ chances. If he doesn’t play decently the Dolphins will have a chance to pull this upset.
Cutler retired this offseason but was lured back by the Dolphins after they lost Ryan Tannehill to a season-ending knee injury. Cutler has been a little better than Flacco but not great. He has thrown for 995 yards in six games with a 62.8 completion percentage. Cutler has tossed seven touchdowns but with five interceptions.
Free ATS Pick
The Dolphins should be able to stick around in this game because of their running game. However, the Ravens have the better defense and the home field advantage. If they can force an early turnover or two, that will be a big help.
Neither of these teams have the look of playoff contenders, but they are sitting here in the middle of the pack. The consistency must improve for either of them to make a real run, and a convincing win in this one would be a big help there.
The Ravens are the better team and should be able to grind out a close victory as long as Flacco is competent, but Miami is the choice to cover.
NFL Odds: Ravens 18, Dolphins 17
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