Miami Dolphins at Houston Texans
Sunday, 9/9/12, 1:00 PM EST, TV: CBS
Opening Point Spread: Houston -6.5
Current Betting Line: Houston -12
Opening Total: 43.5
Current Total: 42.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Miami is coming off a winless 2012 NFL preseason and it’s highly doubtful that it opens up with a regular-season victory, considering the team is 0-6 in this series. The Dolphins are certainly in rebuilding mode after suffering three straight losing seasons for the first time since 1966-69. “Expectations for this team outside our locker room are pretty low,” commented Dolphins guard Richie Incognito. Miami is 10-4 ATS as a road underdog the last two years, with the “under” going 8-6 in that situation.
The Dolphins will be led offensively by rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who was taken in the first round of this year’s NFL draft out of Texas A&M. This will be his second trip back to Texas in less than two weeks, which is exciting for the Big Springs native that hails from the Lone Star State. “I’m looking forward to it,” he stated this week. It’s important to note that he’s familiar with the offensive system that’s been installed for the most part, as his collegiate coach Mike Sherman is now the offensive coordinator in South Beach.
Houston is the biggest favorite on the NFL betting odds screen, which isn’t surprising as expectations are sky-high around this franchise after making its first-ever playoff berth a year ago. “It’s exciting, but nobody has bigger expectations than we do,” commented Texans defensive end J.J. Watt about the mood in the locker room. The Texans have been in this spot before, losing to the New York Jets in 2009, who were also opening up with a new coach and quarterback. Houston is 5-2 ATS in the first month of the season the last two years.
The Texans are obviously talented on both side of the football, possessing a rushing attack that finished second in the NFL in averaging 153.0 yards per game, while gaining the same spot in allowing just 285.7 total yards. Quarterback Matt Schaub is back in the fold after being lost for the 2011 season in Week 10 with a foot injury, while wide receiver Andre Johnson hopes to move past injuries that have plagued him entering his 10th year in the league.
Sports bettors will likely back the Dolphins due to their 22-8-1 ATS mark on the road, especially due to the underdog covering five of the last six meetings in this series.
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