Categories
NFL

Miami Dolphins NFL Gambling Odds & 2015 Handicapping Preview

2015 Miami Predictions

The Dolphins failed to make the post season once again in 2014, posting a record of 8-8 and finishing third in the AFC East. That record should not be factored in when weighing how good this team can actually be.

NFL Handicapping Insight

NFL Futures

Miami Dolphins
2014 Record: 8-8
Dolphins Odds to win the 2015 AFC Conference: 18/1
Dolphins Odds to win the 2015 Super Bowl: 40/1

For starters, the Dolphins were pitted against a very tough schedule, dropping a last second home game against the Packers 27-24, and blowing a 28-17 fourth quarter lead to the Broncos in Denver. This Dolphins team also posted a 33-20 win over the Patriots and a 37-0 mauling of the Chargers.

[dfads params=’groups=63753&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

The only loss on their record that sticks out was their 37-24 abomination against the Jets in week 17 which was essentially a throw away game as the Dolphins were already eliminated. Other losses came against the Ravens, Chiefs, Patriots, Bills, and Lions, all of which had winning records.

Strength of schedule is a huge factor in the NFL, and when you play what team is just as important as who you play. The Dolphins open up the season with a six game stretch that could very realistically see them start 5-1.

The fish will open up against the Redskins, Jaguars, Bills, Jets, Titans and Texans. Buffalo is likely the toughest game in that bunch, as these teams have split games five apiece over the last five seasons, with the Bills taking the first matchup of the year the last three years.

At QB the Dolphins will once more turn to Ryan Tannehill, who has to, at some point, take charge and make this his team. There is talent there with Tannehill, though he still has a tendency to hold on to the ball for too long.

[dfads params=’groups=66501&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

Tannehill has a bevy of weapons to throw to this year so there should be no excuse for him to be holding the ball forever and scrambling out of the pocket. A receiver group that features Greg Jennings, Kenny Stills, Jarvis Landry and new addition Jordan Cameron at tight end. The ‘phins will miss the big play ability of Mike Wallace, but the balance they have at wide out will offset his departure.

Running back is set with Lamar Miller, who scampered for nearly 1,100 yards and eight TDs in 2014 and averaged more than five yards per carry. The back has reportedly added some weight this offseason and he has proven to be a very durable runner, playing all 16 games in each of the last two seasons.

While there is talent at all of the skill positions, this team’s O-line is shaky at best and any injury or injuries to their starters will make life a nightmare for Tanehill, Miller and Co.

On defense the Dolphins made one of the biggest offseason acquisitions, adding Ndamukong Suh to a line that already features Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon. The linebackers won’t rack up a lot of sacks on this team, but Suh and Wake are great up front and will stymie the run game against a lot of teams.

Secondary for the Dolphins (can) be good, pending Brent Grimes returns to his 2013 form. After signing a huge contract with the Dolphins, Grimes was a disappointment in 2014. Louis Delmas is also a big “what if” on this team as he has the potential to be a star in this secondary but is coming off ACL surgery.

Dolphins Betting Outlook:

If there’s one sleeper team in the AFC that a lot of people should get on board with, it’s the Dolphins. As mentioned in the intro to this piece, Miami finished at .500 a season ago against a very tough schedule.

[dfads params=’groups=63752&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

The team added some good pieces in the offseason and got faster and younger.

Couple those moves with a (seemingly) much softer schedule than they had a year ago, and this team has the potential to be an 11-5 team and to challenge for the division.

Miami Dolphins 015 Prediction

The Dolphins actually have slightly longer odds than the Bills who are 17/1 to win the AFC and 35/1 to win the Super Bowl, but personally I think the Dolphins will be the better team in a division that could finally see someone other than New England or New York make the post season.

With training camps under way the NFL betting season is here at Cappers Picks. NFL Football handicappers have been hard at work putting out the team by team Football Predictions and NFL Season Previews for those of us who can’t wait.

The 2015 NFL futures betting season is right around the corner! If you like to bet on the NFL, you are in the best possible place for online betting.

CappersPicks.com has NFL odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find NFL lines up for early games as well.

[dfads params=’groups=63706&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

By Matt Durnan

A (self-proclaimed) fantasy sports guru since 2004 and a journalist since 2007. He has been offering unsolicited sports gambling advice to his circle of friends for years and has now put himself at the mercy of online readers everywhere. "It's not whether you win or lose, it's how much fun you have"... His hockey coach told him that when he was 7. His team lost every game that year.