Dolphins Browns Betting – Miami Look To Finally Break Through At Cleveland This Sunday
Two weeks in to the regular season and the Miami Dolphins already find themselves looking up from the basement of the AFC East as the only winless team in a division featuring three unbeaten franchises. The Dolphins threw everything that they had at a couple of superior opponents in the New England Patriots and Houston Texans, and now hope those efforts will have a more positive sports betting impact on the roads against the Cleveland Browns.
Miami Dolphins @ Cleveland Browns
Sunday September 25, 2011 – 1:00 PM ET
Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
NFL Betting Lines: Cleveland Browns – 2.5
The Browns were upset against the Cincinnati Bengals in week one, but managed to rally back this past Sunday for an impressive win over the Indianapolis Colts. The Browns have the weapons to succeed on both sides of the ball, the question is whether or not it will all come together this week.
NFL Betting Preview: Miami Dolphins
After torching the Patriots defense for 416 passing yards and two scores, Dolphins’ quarterback Chad Henne struggled against Houston, finishing with just 170 yards and a single score as well as an interception. Miami’s offense never really got going in the 23-13 loss to the Texans, managing just one field goal in the first half while struggling to sustain drives. The Dolphins still rank in the top-10 on offense both passing and rushing in big part because of their opener, and that should stand as motivation for them to go out and do it again. Miami has struggled against two elite passing offenses in each of the first two weeks of the season, so perhaps this week they will get a break.
NFL Betting Preview: Cleveland Browns
The Browns have made progress with quarterback Colt McCoy under center, but still need to improve in two key areas before they can make anything happen. Cleveland will need to do a better job of running the ball on offense while stopping the rush defensively, and if they are able to do that they will start winning games. Running back Peyton Hillis broke out last year but has been limited to just 151 yards on 44 carries through the first two games of this season. The offensive line will need to create more space for Hillis inside the tackles, and continue to pound the rock to open things up for the passing game. Rookie defensive tackle Phil Taylor has looked very good early on, but he needs more help setting the tone for the front-seven.
NFL Betting Preview: Outlook & Pick
Both of these teams have done a lot of things right through the first two weeks of the season, but while the Browns have gotten in to the win column, Miami has struggled and that has more to do with the sportsbook promo teams that have played than how they have played. The Dolphins will bounce back with their first win this week in one of the closest matchups of week three.
NFL Betting Pick: Miami Dolphins + 2.5
