The matchup between the surprising Jacksonville Jaguars and the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles highlights this week's NFL slate, as FrontPageBets GM/Content Director Mike Szvetitz makes his picks and predictions.
Another Thursday night. Another AFC battle.
This week, the Miami Dolphins (3-0) travel to take on the Cincinnati Bengals in what is shaping up to be a game with plenty of story lines, namely at quarterback.
Will Tua Tagovailoa play for Miami? And if so, how healthy will he be? Or will it be the Teddy Bridgewater show?
That is a significant question as the Fins are swimming toward uncharted waters for the first time in a long time.
Miami is the only undefeated AFC team left in the league, and just one of two in the entire NFL (the Philadelphia Eagles are the other).
But how long can the magic last in a season where the Dolphins handled the New England Patriots in Week 1, 20-7, but in Week 2, they had to rally from a 20-point second-half deficit to beat the Baltimore Ravens on the strength of six Tagovailoa touchdown passes.
Last week, Miami outlasted the Buffalo Bills, despite having to endure 90 offensive plays run by Josh Allen and Co.
On a short week against the defending AFC champion Bengals, can the Dolphins muster anymore?
And will they even have Tagovailoa, who was really banged up against the Bills, including back and ankle injuries, as well as smacking his head against the turf in the first half?
As of Wednesday morning, Tagovailoa's status was still up in the air, but he told reporters he'd do everything he could to play. Keep an eye on that, as the line and the odds will definitely be affected.
The Bengals have underachieved so far this season, losing their first two games by a total of six points before rebounding last week against the New York Jets.
Keeping quarterback Joe Burrow upright is a must if Cincinnati has any chances of making another Super Bowl run. Burrow has been sacked 15 times through three games. Despite that, however, Burrow still finds a way to keep his team in games with a chance to win.
The Bengals are currently 4-point favorites at home, but the Dolphins, who have only been favored once this year, are 3-0 against the spread.
FrontPageBets takes a look at this Thursday night matchup and some best bets to consider.
(All odds courtesy of DraftKings and are subject to change)
Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase over 71.5 yards receiving (-115)
Ja’Marr Chase started the 2022 season with a bang, hauling in 10 catches for 129 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers. Last week, however, against the Jets, Chase had just 29 yards receiving, although he did have a score and six catches.
Thursday night, he’ll face the second-worst pass defense in the league, as the Dolphins have given up an average of 280 yards through the air per game. Chase, Burrow’s favorite target, will get plenty of opportunities in prime time and go over the 71.5, which is right about at his average per game.
Dolphins RB Chase Edmonds anytime TD (+175)
Chase Edmonds finally found the end zone last week. Twice. After being held scoreless in the Dolphins first two games, Edmonds was able to get two touchdowns in Miami’s big win over Buffalo.
While Edmonds hasn’t been as “featured” in the offense as was thought of when he came over in the offseason from the Arizona Cardinals, he certainly made the most of his six carries last Sunday.
In this week's FPBcast, Gerry Ahern and Mike Szvetitz have enough evidence to call out contenders and pretenders.
Dolphins K Jason Sanders over 1.5 field goals made (+100)
Placekicker Jason Sanders hasn’t had much work through three games of the season. Actually, he hasn’t even attempted a field goal in the past two games. In Week 1 against the Patriots, Sanders was 2 for 2 on field goal attempts for Miami.
Thursday night, however, expect Sanders to get more tries and makes against the Bengals, especially with the quarterback situation murky. Cincinnati’s defense has given up 10 field goal attempts this year, and opponents have made nine of them.
Miami Dolphins (3-0) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-2)
When: Thursday night, 8:15 p.m.; PRIME
Spread: Bengals -4 (105); Dolphins +4 (-115)
Money line: Bengals -190; Dolphins +160
Over/Under: 47 (-110)
The pick: Bengals, 22-20
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Mike Szvetitz is the General Manager and Content Director for FrontPageBets.com. Szvetitz is a 22-year veteran reporter and editor, including serving 17 years as a sports editor in Florida, Alabama and Virginia, covering everything from preps to pros. His "View From The Lazy Boy" column won multiple state and national awards. He can be reached at mszvetitz@timesdispatch.com.
