The Miami Dolphins have been completely engulfed in a situation that, at first, looked like it had the potential to divide the team. Now they are trying to stay united and get their business taken care of on the field as they visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Monday night’s NFL betting action, which is scheduled to get underway at 8:40 PM ET at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
What people haven’t emphasized enough is that the Dolphins are still very much in the running for a playoff spot. After the overtime win over Cincinnati, which ended with a safety, their record is even at 4-4. The New York Jets, in the same division, are 5-4. The Denver Broncos or Kansas City Chiefs – whoever does not win the AFC West – will likely get the first AFC wild card, and the Jets are in the second wild card position at the moment.
For the Bucs, it’s a bit of a different matter, as they are still looking for their first win of the season after eight tries. Will they get rid of coach Greg Schiano? Probably. But they still have some fight left in them, as evidenced by their effort at Seattle, when they really had the Seahawks on the ropes, getting out to a 21-0 lead before losing it, and the game, in overtime.
In the NFL betting odds that have been posted at BetAnySports, the Dolphins are the favorites in this matchup:
NFL Betting Odds Courtesy Of BetAnySports USA Sportsbook and Racebook
Miami Dolphins -2.5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +2.5
Over 40.5 Points -110
Under 40.5 Points -110
There are not many pro football bettors who are still asking whether the Bucs did the right thing by letting Josh Freeman go. It’s not that Mike Glennon has stepped in and set the world on fire, but he has been relatively solid, considering the circumstances under which he’s had to step in. Glennon has been 60% accurate, and has been intercepted only three times in 204 passes. He has also suffered just thirteen sacks. Schiano has not had him taking a whole lot of chances, but he’s shown some grace under fire. All things considered, he’s had a lot less in terms of negative plays then his counterpart, Ryan Tannehill, who has been sacked 35 times, thrown nine interceptions and lost five fumbles. That’s something to factor in when making the NFL betting pick on this game.
So is the fact that the Dolphins are thin on the offensive line. It’s the kind of thing that can’t be avoided when people like Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito are missing, and because of the “Bullygate” situation, that will continue to be the case. Tyson Clabo will be inserted into a tackle position, but he was benched earlier in the season because he couldn’t get the job done. Nate Garner is now starting as a guard in Incognito’s position, and keep in mind that Incognito made the Pro Bowl last season. NFL bettors should think about the possibilities of a Tampa Bay pass rush teeing off on Tannehill with even less protection than he had before.
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