Dolphins – Ravens → NFL Game Betting Odds & Predictions for Week 2

When the Baltimore Ravens did not come to agreement with Lamar Jackson about a contract extension before Jackson’s deadline of the season opener, the former MVP simply went about earning the money he wanted, throwing three touchdown passes in a 24-9 win against the Jets. He went 17 of 30 for 213 yards. He did throw an interception, but overall, the results showed that Jackson’s worth may indeed exceed the $250 million, five-year offer the team extended. The Ravens return home to host the Miami Dolphins, who did what has become routine – beating New England at home. The defense was the big star, scoring a touchdown and snatching an interception and a fumble while holding the Patriots to just one scoring drive. Tua Tagovailoa looked confident in throwing for 270 yards and a score, and all of a sudden, the Dolphins look ready to push the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East. Can they hang with the Ravens on Sunday? Don’t miss our NFL betting preview.

NFL Preview: Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Ravens (Sunday, September 18)

When: Sunday, September 18, 2022, 1:00 pm ET
Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
TV: CBS
Radio: WQAM 560 AM Miami / WBAL 1090 AM Baltimore
Live Stream: Sling TV
NFL Odds: Baltimore -3.5 / O/U 44.5 // Baltimore -190 / Miami +158

Why should you bet on the Dolphins?

We’ve become accustomed to the Dolphins winning nailbiters against the Patriots, particularly down in Florida, but Miami controlled the game all day long, rolling to a 17-0 halftime lead and cruising the rest of the way. Tagovailoa went 23 of 33 on the day, while the running game was fairly tepid. Chase Edmonds “led” the team with 25 yards on 12 attempts. Tagovailoa found Jaylen Waddle for his touchdown and hit Tyreek Hill eight times for 94 yards.

Miami has covered in eight of their last 11 games and in five of their last six September games. While the defense was effective against Mac Jones (who is now questionable for Week 2 with a back injury), it will be interesting to see what they do against Lamar Jackson’s unique combination of running and passing. Jackson putting up three touchdown passes in the opener was a bit of an outlier, but if his passing game is really ready to become as elite as his running ability, the rest of the AFC could be in trouble.

Why should you put your money on the Ravens?

The Ravens also found themselves in cruise mode for most of their Week 1 win. They took a 10-3 lead into the locker room at halftime and then made it 24-3 at the end of the third quarter, and then the Jets added a pair of field goals in the fourth quarter. Jackson was just 17 of 30 for 213 yards, but that 3:1 TD:INT ratio is something a coach will take every day of the week. Rashod Bateman had 59 receiving yards and one of those three touchdowns, and Kenyan Drake picked up 31 yards on 11 attempts in the absence of J.K. Dobbins.

Baltimore has covered in seven of their last 10 Week 2 games, and last year they were 9-3 against the spread when playing teams with winning records. They are also just 2-8 against the spread in their last ten games after covering the week before, but I’m not sure Miami represents a trap game for them.

Final Score and Prediction

I underestimated Miami last week, picking New England to win and cover (and somewhat easily). This time around, though, the Dolphins are on the road, playing a better team than the Patriots. I see the Ravens struggling at first to break through the Miami defense, but I see them eventually imposing their will on the game. I predict a final score of Baltimore 24, Miami 20.

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