This Prime Time match up has huge implications for Miami.
Dolphins have a shot in Prime Time to prove there is a new culture in South Florida.
The Miami Dolphins will be playing in a Prime Time Football game tonight at 8:25pm on the road against the New York Jets in what appears to be ugly conditions.
Miami has been a losing franchise for many years, and as a result don’t get awarded many prime time games.
Good teams shine the brightest on the biggest stages. So, the big question is, can Miami take advantage of this opportunity tonight by winning and give themselves their first winning regular season record since 2008?
The pay per head sportsbook in the world initially opened this game with the Miami Dolphins as the -3 point favorite. The line got quickly hit by the wise guys betting on the Jets, and the line dropped to -2.5. For most of the week the line has stayed steady at -2.5 for the Dolphins, but late last night the line went back to -3 and is now currently sitting there. The action is coming in at a 2 to 1 ratio on the Dolphins, which means it is not very lopsided in terms of betting.
Points covered or not doesn’t really affect the we fans. We just want Miami to find a way to come out of this game with a victory.
But, looking at the money does offer indicators…and the indicators are looking better for Miami.
The “money” is predicting a total score of 38, which is a very low total in terms of an NFL game. This might be because the weather is supposed to be cold, and wet, and generally when NFL game totals are in the 30’s they end up staying under.
Prime Time games make team shine or shrink.
All signs point to this being a sloppy game, due to the weather, and two backup QB’s are being called to be the starters tonight.
This is where the short film study of the two QB’s come in.
You cans see why after watching the study that the game plan for both teams on offense will be identical: Run the ball.
If Miami can get Jay Ajayi going, then this will take pressure off of Matt Moore and enable him to take a few shots down field on some well-timed play action calls. Moore also needs to be very careful with the football, because turnovers are going to be a key to this sloppy game.
One thing not pointed out in the study was Moore has had serious fumble issues.
As for the Jets, whoever it is, Matt Forte or Bilal Powell, both players could be extremely problematic to the Dolphins shaky run defense. However if Miami can stop or even limit the Jets running game, then this will allow Miami to be more aggressive in pass rushing Petty. But, there needs to be caution as Petty is a mobile QB with a strong arm, so Miami needs to be careful to not be overconfident an offer big-play freebies.
This is a division game, and even though the Jets are eliminated from the playoffs, they would like nothing more than to play spoiler and ruin the Dolphins chances of making the playoffs. This is going to be a close, hard fought game that is probably going to come down to which team makes the least amount of mistakes in the 4th quarter.
Go Fins!!!