Denver Broncos vs. Miami Dolphins Week 3 Betting Prediction
Denver Broncos (0-2 SU, 0-2 ATS) vs. Miami Dolphins (2-0 SU, 2-0 ATS)
Week 3 NFL
Date/Time: Sunday, September 24, 2023 at 1PM EDT
Where: Hard Rock Stadium Miami Gardens, Florida
TV: CBS
Point Spread: DEN +6.5/MIA -6.5 (STOP wasting money! STOP laying -110 odds! Start laying only -105 at BAS Sportsbook! It’s FREE and saves you tons of money!)
Money Line: Horses +240, Phins -290
Over/Under Total: 48
The Denver Broncos come down to the Sunshine State to battle the Miami Dolphins in a week three AFC showdown. Miami has won both of their games and covered the spread twice, while Denver has lost both of their games, not covering in either case. Miami was able to beat the Patriots in a divisional battle on Sunday, 24-17. Denver, meanwhile, lost to the Commanders, 35-33, when failing to convert the two-point conversion after Russell Wilson connected for a hail-Mary with receiver Brandon Johnson. Can they get their first win in a tough spot, or will we see the ‘Fins continue to roll?
Breaking Down the Matchup
It’s an interesting game across a few different levels. You have the more old-school head coach in Payton, who started his career 17 years ago against the whiz-kid Mike McDaniel. But alas, it hasn’t really panned out just yet for the Broncos, despite some optimism caused by the new hire. To take a 21-3 lead against the Commanders at home and not get it done is tough. And to get a prayer answered with the last-ditch long pass, only to not connect on the conversion, despite it seeming like pass-interference, just adds to the hard-luck nature of it.
For Denver, this comes down to whether their defense that will be on the road coming off a tough loss and having allowed 35 to Washington can make this one of those more-resourceful Miami offensive efforts or something more along the lines of a free-for-all. If the Denver defense, which does have good aspects to it, can stop Tua Tagovailoa from going nuclear with his pass-catching weapons, namely Tyreek Hill, maybe they can hang in there and have a shot in the end.
It was hopeful for Denver backers to see Wilson putting up over 300 yards and three TDs on Sunday, though two turnovers were costly. A 60-yard connection for Marvin Mims, Jr. was promising, as they need to find some creators on this offense. At the same time, having Brandon Johnson catch two TD passes, with anonymous Jaleel McLaughlin running in another one, makes one wonder what ever became of guys like Javonte Williams, Jerry Jeudy, and Courtland Sutton, all of whom were active in this game? It has really become a mish-mosh and coming close to beating the Commanders at home after blowing a big lead just isn’t going to cut it at this point for a team that needs to deliver.
Trouble for Denver?
At some point, the Broncos are going to need to compile at least a short list of things they can do well on a consistent basis. It was thought that the inadequacies of last year’s offense overshadowed what was a good defense. But it’s not good when a Sam Howell-led Commanders bunch mounts a big comeback on you at home. They were neither good against the run nor the pass, though there were hints here and there of a big pass-rush, at least when Denver built an early lead. They have no go-to guys on offense. You’d think they might get the punch they saw with Javonte Williams at some point, but not yet. Jeudy and Sutton are silent, and it’s a tough spot for Wilson and this offense to thrive consistently.
Still, Miami hasn’t quite graduated to the level of iron-clad proposition just yet. A two-point win over the Chargers and a win over New England that was less than conclusive show them in strong early form but hardly as an invulnerable force. Sure, there could be a half-dozen times this season where Tua connects wildly with his receivers for an offensive bonanza, but the other times, it’s not the tallest mountain to climb for opponents. Their defense lags well behind their offense in terms of firepower. Maybe seeing Wilson at least connect with receivers and lead TD drives offers some hope.
Difficult to Back Denver
With Denver, you’re reduced to wishful thinking. It’s not really a matter of not giving this whole Russell Wilson thing a chance, but it’s like if anything good happens, it just happened to pan out that way. There’s nothing upon which you can depend. You have the notion of a defense that is supposed to be stingy, with talent like Patrick Surtain, II. in the secondary. Do you think maybe Williams can get off, or former first-rounder Jeudy will start looking the part? It just never seems to materialize.
At the same time, there is the element of desperation, something we almost saw get fulfilled with their late Hail-Mary attempt that was sullied with a failed conversion, that could buoy the Broncos for a game where the Dolphins might not be shot out of a cannon for their non-divisional and winless opponent. If the Broncos can manifest that urgency and come out on Sunday a hungry team that is eager not to travel down the same losing road again, it’s not hard to picture something remotely competitive.
Take the Points
I don’t think the Broncos are ready to lay down, and I’m not sold that Miami is a sure thing to fire every week. That alone would seem to justify taking the 6.5, albeit on the wrong side of that hook. I think against an offense that is top-heavy, where Surtain II. can zero in and see how the best of the rest handle it, isn’t the worst recipe for this Denver defense. I see them putting up several scores and keeping this in the ballpark for the cover. I’ll take the Broncos.
Loot’s Prediction to Cover the Point Spread: I’m betting on the Denver Broncos plus 6.5 points. Bet your Week 3 NFL predictions for FREE by scoring a massive 100% real cash bonus on your first deposit of $100 to $300 when you use bonus code PREDICTEM at BetUS Sportsbook!
