NFL bad line of the week: Fade the Dolphins in Tua's 1st start
Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.
We nailed yet another fishy line this past Sunday with the Steelers (+1) recording an outright win over the Titans. We've now cashed three straight heading into Week 8.
Here's how the board looks for this upcoming week.
Week 8 spreads
| Matchup | Spread |
|---|---|
| Falcons @ Panthers | CAR -2.5 |
| Colts @ Lions | IND -2.5 |
| Vikings @ Packers | GB -6.5 |
| Jets @ Chiefs | KC -20.5 |
| Raiders @ Browns | CLE -2.5 |
| Steelers @ Ravens | BAL -4 |
| Titans @ Bengals | TEN -5.5 |
| Rams @ Dolphins | LAR -3.5 |
| Patriots @ Bills | BUF -3.5 |
| Chargers @ Broncos | LAC -3 |
| Saints @ Bears | NO -2.5 |
| 49ers @ Seahawks | SEA -3 |
| Cowboys @ Eagles | PHI -7.5 |
| Buccaneers @ Giants | TB -10.5 |
Bad line of the week: Rams +3.5 (@ Dolphins)
The biggest storyline in this one is quarterback Tua Tagovailoa making his first start for the Dolphins. Don't let it cloud your judgment when picking this spread.
The Rams aren't getting enough support in this spot. Although there's not a ton of film on the rookie Tagovailoa, L.A. should be able to get home with the No. 8 adjusted sack rate in the league.
One factor in this tilt is a West Coast team traveling to the East Coast for what will be an early start according to the Rams' body clocks. However, head coach Sean McVay hasn't been fazed in this spot. The offensive guru is 6-1 both straight up and against the spread in seven 1 p.m. starts on the East Coast with the Rams, averaging better than 35 points per game. Los Angeles has scored at least 30 points in all seven situations.
Miami's gaining some traction, with three wins over the last four. However, two of those victories came against teams that own a negative figure in net yards per play (Jaguars, minus-0.9; Jets, minus-1.6). The Dolphins are likely headed back down to earth, seeing as they've played the fourth-easiest schedule to date.
Miami's a feel-good story after winning just five games last season. But this team doesn't have all the pieces to continue mowing through the schedule. Though Tagovailoa isn't getting a terrible matchup against the league's No. 13 DVOA defense, the Rams will give the rookie some fits along the front with Aaron Donald.
I'm content laying the -3.5 here with McVay and the Rams, who have a knack for scoring at least 30 in this spot.
Pick: Rams -3.5
(Odds source: theScore Bet)
Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.