New Orleans Saints (1-2 SU, 1-2 ATS) vs. Miami Dolphins (1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS)
NFL Week 4
Date/Time: Sunday, October 1st, 9:30am EST
Where: Wembley Stadium – London, England
TV: FOX
by Bob, NFL Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: NOR -2.5 / MIA +2.5
Over/Under Total: 49.5
This Sunday there is yet another game being played in London. Hopefully it will be more competitive than what we witnessed this past Sunday when Jacksonville waxed Baltimore 44-7. This weekend will be an AFC and NFC game between two teams with only one win each. The New Orleans Saints will take on the Miami Dolphins and both of these teams need a win to get this season back on track.
The Saints are a 2.5 point favorite over the Dolphins in London while the total points are set at 49.5 combined between the two teams. As of late Tuesday evening, 67% of the betting action was on the Saints to cover against Miami. As for the over under 57% of the action says that the score will go over the posted total of 49.5 points.
The Saints are coming into this game after getting their first win of 2017 in impressive fashion against the Carolina Panthers. Many thought Carolina would be back in the hunt for the NFC South after a bad 2016, but the Saints exposed many of their deficiencies in a 34–13 win in Charlotte this past weekend. The Saints finally seemed to click on offense with Drew Brees passing for 220 yards and three touchdowns while the defense held Cam Newton to just 167 yards passing and three interceptions. It was an all around great effort by the Saints but there is one question: Are the Saints finally playing good or is Carolina just a bad team still?
The Miami Dolphins had really high hopes coming into 2017. They wanted to challenge the Patriots in the AFC East or at the very least earn a wild card berth. Before the season even started, Ryan Tannehill went down with an injury and the team was forced to sign Jay Cutler. Then the season started and the hurricanes caused the start of the season to be delayed. Things for the Dolphins just havent been normal in 2017 and now, their third game of the season they have to travel across the pond to play a game in another country.
This game will come down to a few keys for both teams. First off, how did they travel. It was obvious the long trip took a toll on the Baltimore Ravens. They looked slow, disinterested, and totally unprepared against Jacksonville. So which of these teams will let the trip affect them? Will either? The other key for New Orleans is to stop the run. The Saints defense needs to force Jay Cutler to win this game with his arm. If they stop Jay Ajayi and make the Dolphins play a pass happy game, the Saints can take control of the game. The Dolphins need to pressure Brees. I know every single time I write an article about the Saints, I talk about pressuring Drew Brees being a must….but its true. Drew Brees may go down as one of the top five or ten quarterbacks of all time but it is no secret that when pressured he tends to rely on his talent and force the issue. If Miami’s defensive front can get to him, he could potentially make enough mistakes to keep the Dolphins the game.
This was not an easy game to predict for a couple of reasons. First off, the game being a London game. Just like last week the outcome was a total shock. Will thie game be just as odd? Also, both of these teams seem to be up and down and extremely unpredictable. I said last week that I like the underdogs in these cases and I will stick with that. Do I think Miami will win? I have no idea but I like getting the points in games like this.
Bob’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: TAKE THE MIAMI DOLPHINS +2.5. Not all sportsbooks are created equal! Many are fly by night, poorly run and your loot is actually at risk. End that problem today by signing up at one of the web’s oldest and most trusted sportsbooks! Online for over 15 years, your credit card will work and you’ll also receive a 50% bonus up to $250 FREE at Bovada Sportsbook!
