Chiefs-Dolphins
Time: 3:25 CST
Spread: MIA -4
Total: 43
M/L: MIA -210; KC +180
Betting odds c/o Bookmaker
The Kansas City Chiefs will be without its best running back for a good bit, and the Miami Dolphins are in the same boat. The Chiefs are 0-2 and Alex Smith has disappointed. Jamaal Charles may not be back for a while, and the Dolphins are missing Knowshon Moreno. It’s made life a lot harder on Ryan Tannehill in Miami.
Charles rushed for 1,980 yards last season and is a vital part of the KC attack. is high ankle sprain isn’t severe enough that KC has ruled him out for the game, but it will hamper him on the field, so it is probably in his best interests to sit this one out. Andy Reid said he looked “OK” but just looking OK on the field is not necessarily enough to play NFL game action.
Last week, Knile Davis stepped in and ran for 82 yards, two TDs and 29 passing yards. He said he’s been studying film and watching how Charles reacts to certain situations.
Moreno is schedule to miss at leas four weeks after dislocating his elbow in his lone carry last week. In week 1 he had 134 yards in the 33-20 victory over the Patriots, and he is a big part of what they are trying to do in Miami. Dolphins offensive coordinator cited that “It hurts because he is…a productive player” and he plays with a lot of emotion.
What makes this game tough is that both teams have struggled with the pass this season, and both are without their star running backs. Smith and Tannehill are 30th and 34th in yards per attempted and Tannehill has a passer rating of 76.1 (29th in NFL). His deep ball has been weak, and he’s still getting sacked a lot after setting a Dolphins futility record with 58 last season. Having Mike Pouncey back could make a big difference for the Dolphins.
Reid said of his Chiefs, “We have a few injuries, but we don’t slow down on that…Football is a joint effort, a team sport. Everyone’s got to step up and do their job just a little better, coaches included.”
The Dolphins will look to extend a three-game winning streak over the Chiefs. The last in 2011 was a 31-3 Dolphins win.
