Seattle Seahawks (6-4 SU, 7-3 ATS) vs. Miami Dolphins (4-6 SU, 4-5-1 ATS)
NFL Week 12
Date/Time: Sunday, November 25, 1:00 p.m. EST
Where: Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
TV: Fox/DTV 705
by Vesper Abadon, Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: Sea -2.5/Mia +2.5
Over/Under Total: 37.5
Are the Miami Dolphins starting to show their true colors? If the past two weeks are any indication the answer is a resounding “yes!” First the Fins were stomped by the Tennessee Titans at home, and then they fizzled in a 19-14 loss (they were two-scores down the vast majority of the game) in Buffalo.
Likewise, are the Seattle Seahawks as good as they seem? They’re 6-4, undefeated at home, and find unpredictable ways to win. This week the Seahawks will travel across the country to take on the Dolphins in a matchup that features rookie quarterbacks. The last time these two teams met was back on November 9, 2008, and the Dolphins won that one 21-19.
To say that things have changed for each team since the last time they met, which they do just once every four years, would be an understatement. The Dolphins are rebuilding with a new head coach, Joe Philbin, and rookie quarterback, Ryan Tannehill (the first QB selected by the Dolphins in the first round since Dan Marino). Philbin has implemented a much more aggressive offensive scheme, and seems to have the team pointed in the right direction.
The Dolphins started the season with a bang and quickly exceeded expectations; however, they have fallen back down to earth as of late. Offensively they’re ranked a measly 29th in the NFL (309.9 yards per game), which incudes the 24th-ranked passing game (209 YPG) and 21st rushing (100.9 YPG). Defensively the Fins are ranked 21st, allowing 363.1 YPG (266.3 passing YPG/96.8 rushing YPG).
Likewise, the Seahawks were also expected to be terrible, but have surprised many. They signed Matt Flynn in the offseason as their expected starter, but rookie Russell Wilson won the starting job in the preseason. Since then he has completed 157 of 253 passes for 1,827 yards and 15 touchdowns. Those numbers don’t seem too bad, but the Seahawks do enter Week 12 with the worst passing game in the NFL, averaging 174.8 YPG; however, they boast the 6th-best rushing attack (142.2 YPG) behind Marshawn Lynch, who has carried 212 times for 1,005 yards (4.7 AVG) and five touchdowns.
Another area where the Seahawks have a major advantage is on the defensive side of the ball. Their squad is 3rd-best in the league, allowing just 296.8 YPG. They hold opponents to an average of 196.2 YPG through the air and 100.6 YPG on the ground. They also hold opposing teams to an average of 16.1 points per game, and let’s face it, the Dolphins aren’t known for putting up big numbers.
Vesper Abadon’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: Both teams are young and don’t stand a realistic shot at the Playoffs. Obviously the Seahawks are better positioned to make a run, but even if they do squeak in, they’ll have a hard time making it count. With that said, there’s a lot to be excited about for both teams moving forward.
Traveling across the country and playing in an earlier time zone is never easy (plus the Seahawks struggle on the road), which adds to Miami’s home-field advantage; however, give an even bigger advantage to the Seahawks, who are coming off their Bye Week. They’ve had time to rest and prepare for the game, while Miami has been wallowing in woe. Both teams will make mistakes, and it’ll be the team that can capitalize that walks away with a win. I think that team will be the Seahawks. I will say though, that anybody who claims that they can confidently call a winner on this game is NUTS. This is strictly a lean.
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