The Las Vegas Raiders and the Miami Dolphins meet Sunday in NFL action from Hard Rock Stadium. Las Vegas is 5-5 overall this year. The Raiders powered out a low-scoring win over the Jets in their last outing. As for Miami, they’re currently 6-3 overall following a one-score loss to the Chiefs on November 5. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have had a ton of trouble scoring this year. Las Vegas is averaging just 17.2 points per game with only nine passing touchdowns, 14 interceptions and 192.1 yards per game through the air. The rush hasn’t been much better with seven scores and 83.3 yards per game, but the Raiders defense is keeping the team in it with 20.5 yards per game allowed on average.
In their latest matchup Sunday evening against the struggling Jets, Las Vegas scored points in every quarter along the way to a 16-12 victory. Aidan O’Connell logged 153 pass yards with one TD and an interception. Josh Jacobs led the rush with 116 yards on 27 carries, and Davante Adams caught six balls for 86 yards.
Las Vegas Raiders Team Facts
- The home team has won each of the Raiders' last seven games.
- The Raiders have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven road games against AFC East opponents.
- The Raiders have won the first quarter in each of their last three games as underdogs against the Dolphins.
- The Raiders have scored the first touchdown in each of their last four games against AFC East opponents.
- The Raiders have lost the first half in each of their last six games as underdogs.
Miami Dolphins
Over on the Dolphins’ side, they’ve scored significantly better with 31.7 points per game this year. Miami has gotten 287.4 yards per game, 20 touchdowns and eight picks through the air and 147.9 yards per game, 17 touchdowns and 5.9 yards per carry on the ground. The defense is giving up 25.0 points per game on average through this 6-3 run so far.
The Dolphins had a tough matchup versus the Chiefs in Germany back on November 5. Miami was down 21-0 by halftime but came back with 14 third-quarter points in an eventual 21-14 loss. Tua Tagovailoa logged 193 yards and a TD in the defeat. Raheem Mostert added 85 rush yards and a score, while Tyreek Hill had 62 yards off eight grabs.
Miami Dolphins Team Facts
- The Dolphins have won each of their last 12 home games against AFC opponents.
- The Dolphins have covered the spread in each of their last eight November games as home favorites against AFC opponents.
- The Dolphins have won the first half in each of their last seven home games in November.
- The underdogs have won the first quarter in four of the last five games between the Raiders and Dolphins.
- The Dolphins have scored the first touchdown in seven of their last eight home games against AFC West opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Dolphins rank 1st in the NFL in points per game this season (31.7).
- The Dolphins rank 1st in the NFL in yards per game this season (435.3).
- The Raiders rank 31st in the NFL in yards per game this season (275.4).
- The Raiders rank T31st in the NFL in fumbles recovered this season (2).
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’m going to stay with the Dolphins. Miami has had plenty of time to rest and prepare for this matchup, and they’ll be eager to get back on the field after a tough loss to Kansas City. The Dolphins did a solid job on defense in that one with 267 yards allowed (174 passing), 16 first downs and 3-of-10 on third-down tries. Miami wasn’t great on third downs themselves however (3-of-12), and notched just 175 pass yards. After posting 20 or fewer points in three of their last six games, the Dolphins will want to get off to a fast start in this one.
As for the Raiders, they benefitted from an inept Jets offense in their last outing. Las Vegas gave up just 14 first downs in an odd victory, but it still goes down as a W. The Raiders have managed 16 or fewer points in three of the last four games though, and I don’t see them scoring well enough to cover here.
