NFL Picks Week 8: Miami Dolphins vs. New York Giants

Miami Dolphins at New York Giants
Sunday, 10/30/11, 1:00 PM EST, TV: CBS
Opening Point Spread: New York -10
Current Betting Line: New York -9.5
Opening Total: 42
Current Total: 43
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

New York Giants QB Eli Manning will look to air it out against the Miami Dolphins Sunday

Miami dropped to 0-6 SU on the season and 1-5 ATS with last week’s 18-15 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos as one-point home underdogs. The Dolphins are in a downward spiral that will likely lead to head coach Tony Sparano being fired, while also putting themselves in the running to potentially acquire Stanford Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck with next year’s No. 1 pick. It was a disappointing result considering that the defense held Denver to just six passing yards in the first half. Miami is 0-3 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points this season, while the ‘under’ has cashed in two of the three contests.

The Dolphins blew a 15-point lead in the final three minutes Sunday, causing many sports media members to grill Sparano in the post-game news conference. “I have not talked to Stephen Ross,” he commented about any discussions with the team’s owner after the game. Offensively, quarterback Matt Moore didn’t play badly, completing 22-of-33 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown. He recorded a 92.6 quarterback rating, which was the eighth time he has rated 90 or higher in a game during his NFL career.

New York is coming off its bye week and likely learned a critical lesson in taking an opponent lightly when dropping a 36-25 contest to the Seattle Seahawks as 10-point home favorites on Oct. 9. The Giants bounced back from that effort in capturing a 27-24 win over the Buffalo Bills before getting some rest. Injuries have ravaged this team from the beginning of the season, so fans should be excited in having key players return to the field. “It is something that we have been looking for,” stated head coach Tom Coughlin about getting players back. “Hopefully we will have the consistency of all these guys practicing.” New York is 9-9 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points and the ‘over’ holds a slight 9-8 edge in that situation.

The Giants must get their running game going to compliment quarterback Eli Manning, averaging just 90.2 yards per game, which ranks 30th in the league. New York features one of the more vertical passing games in averaging 9.07 yards per pass attempt. On the other side of the field, the team still possess one of the best pass rushes in all of football, tallying 21 sacks. The secondary is a definitive weakness despite the pressure placed on opposing quarterbacks, allowing 24 pass plays of 20-or-more yards.