Miami Dolphins at Oakland Raiders, Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, CA
Sunday, November 28, 2010, 4:05 pm EST, TV: FOX
Opening Line: Raiders -3
Current Line: Raiders -3
Opening Total: 39.5
Current Total: 39.5
Money Line: Raiders -155 / Dolphins +135
The Miami Dolphins (5-5) and Oakland Raiders (5-5) not only share the same record, but both teams had a lot to think about after suffering embarrassing losses last week. The only difference is that the Dolphins had a little more time to think about their dismal offensive performance in a 16-0 home loss to Chicago 10 days ago heading into Sunday’s matchup with the Raiders (-3).
Oakland actually fared worse from a yardage perspective in a 35-3 loss at Pittsburgh last week, totaling 182 yards compared to 187 for Miami. But being forced to replace quarterbacks was an issue for both teams even though the Raiders made the switch hoping to repeat last year’s magic.
Head coach Tom Cable pulled quarterback Jason Campbell in the third quarter after his team trailed the Steelers 21-3, putting Pittsburgh native Bruce Gradkowski back under center. Gradkowski had led Oakland to an improbable victory there a year ago, but it was not to be this time around as Ben Roethlisberger threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes to ice the game.
Cable said Campbell will get the nod against the Dolphins, who were forced to start third-stringer Tyler Thigpen last week following injuries to Chad Henne and Chad Pennington. Thigpen was sacked six times by the Bears and threw an interception to fall to 1-11 as a starting quarterback. Miami is hoping that Henne will be back despite a knee injury that requires him to wear a brace. Head coach Tony Sparano said he will not announce his starter until Sunday.
Regardless, the Dolphins will need to do a better job running the ball if they want to improve offensively. Running backs Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown have averaged just 66.7 yards between them in the last three games after combining for a season-low 39 against Chicago.
The Raiders have struggled a bit against the run this season, as their defense has given up an average of 128.5 rushing yards per game. They rank fourth in the NFL in pass defense – allowing just 193.2 yards per game through the air – but could be without Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha due to an ankle injury. Miami still does not know if Pro Bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall will be able to play due to hamstring injury. Marshall is listed as doubtful on the injury report.
Oakland running back Darren McFadden could also have a big game against a Dolphins defense that is surrendering 112.7 rushing yards per game. McFadden was held to a season-low 14 yards by the top-ranked run defense of the Steelers last week after averaging nearly 122 yards in his previous three games.
The Raiders are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games despite the loss at Pittsburgh, and they have covered each of the last two meetings with the Dolphins. The UNDER is 5-2 in the last seven meetings in the series and 3-1 in Miami’s last four games overall.
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