Packers vs Dolphins Betting Odds Preview: Miami Favored in This Reunion

Dolphins Favored Despite Three-Game Skid

Once upon a time, Mike McDaniel and Matt LaFleur were assistant coaches for the infamous “28-3” Atlanta Falcons. Lost in that meltdown was how Atlanta lit up the NFL to tune of nearly 34 points a game. Now, McDaniel and LaFleur lead their respective teams: the Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers in a reunion of sorts as they hunt for a playoff spot. And despite Miami’s slide, they are favored by four points per the Packers vs Dolphins betting odds.

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LaFleur and Packers Remain Desperate

At 6-8, the Packers will keep playing like their backs are to the wall. Green Bay can still qualify for the playoffs if they win the rest of their games. But for all the talk of LaFleur being an offensive guru, the Packers’ offense has been pedestrian this NFL season. In fact, at 20th in scoring, it is the worst offense in the Aaron Rodgers era.

LaFleur and Rodgers have had their hands tied in that regard. Not only did the Packers let their top skill player, Davante Adams, go, but the team also did not do much to bolster the offense. On top of that, football injuries to David Bakhtiari (appendectomy) and the up-and-down play of their young receiving group did not help matters.

It’s an issue that has been divisive in the Packers’ locker room as Matt LaFleur exposed in a report from The Athletic. LaFleur verified comments made on air by Joe Buck and Troy Aikman of ESPN regarding the Packers’ practices on watching film together.

“Now, I would say, I can’t remember what week it was, but we decided to start watching . . . every practice together as a whole unit.”

Green Bay has kept afloat with its solid defense. But if its offense can be better organized, Green Bay can beat its win against the spread (ATS) for NFL Week 16. The Packers are just 2-5 as a visitor and have committed two or more turnovers in four of these games (they lost in three). Rodgers tossed eight of his 10 picks on the road with his 82.4 passer rating being a far cry from his 99.2 average.

This team is not entirely out of it. But it took this to bring the offense together. Green Bay can still finish strong, at least.

McDaniel Must End Team’s Skid

And speaking of finishing strong, the Dolphins must do so if they are to maintain their position in the playoffs. Miami has dropped three straight, even though their last game left some positive signs. For one, the Dolphins scored 29 points on 405 total yards. That’s a stark improvement from averaging 17 and 263.5 in its previous two losses.

“I would say I’m very proud of the way our leaders stepped up in this game,” McDaniel said. “In some of the biggest moments, in crucial moments of the game, our leaders had made big plays in this game. I think our team is taking a step in the right direction…”

The loss also marked the first time Miami failed to win despite scoring in the 20s. Their five previous losses saw them manage an average of 16.4 points. Indeed, this is the ninth-best scoring offense (24.6) per the NFL Team stats 2022. Tua Tagovailoa also posted a 100+ passer rating for the first time since Week 12 versus Houston.

If it’s a sign of where Miami’s offense is trending, it’s why the Packers vs Dolphins betting odds favor them. Miami is now just 4-4 ATS as a favorite but is 4-2 ATS in the Hard Rock Stadium. The other side to their offensive potential is their defense.

Though banged up and missing a slew of football players on the secondary, Miami is allowing the second-fewest points at home at just 15.3 and the third-lowest yards per play at 4.8. It’s why all but one of their six home games have gone over the total. However, with a 49.5 total this Sunday, the Packers vs Dolphins betting odds expect the offenses to carry the game.
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