NFL Betting – Miami Dolphins Will Improve By Default
2008 NFL betting
- Who will play quarterback for the Miami Dolphins?
- What can Ricky Williams offer?
- How will the Dolphins defense survive without Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas?
Online sports betting fans spent a lot of time betting against the Miami Dolphins last year and money line players were 15-1 on the season. Bear in mind, though, that if there's one league where a team can go from downtrodden to a reliable underdog in a single year, it's the NFL.
Last season the Dolphins were awful straight up and against the spread. They covered only five of 16 spreads. This year they might present some good value as underdogs because they'll likely face lots of big spreads to start the season. That's just sports betting basics.
After hiring Bill Parcells to clean up the mess, the Dolphins spent the offseason trimming the fat while infusing the roster with young players.
The biggest hole will be at quarterback where the options are limited to rookie Chad Henne, underwhelming second-year player John Beck or journeyman Josh McCown.
The good news is whoever starts will play behind an improved offensive line. With first-overall selection Jake Long anchoring the left side and free agent Justin Smiley joining the mix, the front line should be much more reliable.
The backfield should be stocked with the return of Ricky Williams from a one-year suspension and Ronnie Brown from injury. Although the passing game will be limited, at least the running game should improve the offense's productivity.
On defense, the Dolphins will suit up for the first time in 11 years without Zach Thomas or Jason Taylor.
Last season, after injuries set in, the Dolphins defense completely collapsed. There's been a focus on adding depth and adding players that could potentially start.
Defensive tackle Jason Ferguson, linebacker Akin Ayodele and safeties Keith Davis and Chris Crocker will all vie for playing time and should help solidify a number of positions.
On the whole, the Dolphins roster is still short of young building blocks for the future. There are some nice pieces on both sides of the ball but the foundation for the future is still a work in progress for Parcells and company.
The regular season win total for the Dolphins is set at 5.5 and, while they will definitely improve over their one-win total from a year ago, getting to six will be a challenge.
The Dolphins are in a very tough division where they are clearly the fourth-best team. The Buffalo Bills and New York Jets have playoff aspirations while the New England Patriots are still a Super Bowl contender. Bet the under here.
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Stan Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or questions?
