AFC Wild Card Baltimore @ Miami
Both the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins finished the season with 11 and 5 straight-up records. The Ravens didn’t just finish the season with a terrific straight-up record but they also finished the season with a fantastic sports betting against the spread record of 12 and 4. That’s easily the best record in the NFL, after the Tennessee Titans’ 13 and 3, against the BetUS online betting spread. The Ravens not only did it with defense but they did it with a rookie quarterback in Joe Flacco. Things become more difficult for the Ravens this Sunday because the Dolphins are a very good team.
The Dolphins are one of those rare NFL teams that have gotten better as the season has progressed. Quarterback Chad Pennington, whom the Fins signed after the rival New York Jets dumped before the season started, has the second best quarterback passer rating in the AFC Conference. Not only that but Joey Porter, the Dolphins’ top linebacker, led in the NFL in sacks during the regular season. With their 11 and 5 record, the Dolphins are the AFC East champions, but they aren’t winners of anything to NFL betting fans with a record of 8 and 8 against the BetUS online wagering spread.
Here are the BetUS online NFL betting odds for this game:
Baltimore Ravens – 3 – 125 – 190 O 37 ½ – 110
Miami Dolphins + 3 Ev + 150 U 37 ½ – 110
Here are a few online wagering trends that might help us find a good online bet in this game:
The Baltimore Ravens are 1 and 9 against the spread in their last 10 games as the favorite on the road.
The Over is 5-0-1 in the Baltimore Ravens last 6 games on the road.
The Miami Dolphins are 4 and 1 against the spread in their last 5 games versus a team with a winning record.
The Under is 4 and 0 in the Miami Dolphins last 4 games after an against the spread victory.
The online betting spread is confusing to me because the Baltimore Ravens didn’t beat the Pittsburgh Steelers once this season and failed to beat the New York Giants, Indianapolis Colts or Tennessee Titans. Those were the best teams they faced all season long.
The reason I bring it up is because Miami beat the New York Jets, the New England Patriots, Denver and San Diego. Yes, the Fins did lose to the Baltimore Ravens but this Miami team is much better than the one the Ravens faced earlier during the regular season.
The Dolphins have two terrific running backs in Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown. They also have a no mistakes quarterback in Chad Pennington but the key in this game will be how Joe Flacco, Baltimore’s QB, does against the Dolphins’ defense.
I expect Miami to test Flacco early and often in this game. But unlike my feelings regarding Matt Ryan for the Falcons, I don’t believe Flacco will be ready for the pressure.
I see the Dolphins pulling a mild upset in the BetUS Sportsbook because they should cause Flacco to make a few mistakes. That’s all the disciplined Miami Dolphins will need in order to win this game.
Wildcard Ravens vs. Dolphins Prediction:
I’m betting the Miami Dolphins on the money-line at + 150 in this game.
