The Bengals are on a tear, the Dolphins are in a slump. When they meet Thursday night in Miami, nothing indicates a Cincinnati loss. YetMiamiisonlya21/2- point underdog.
That seems charitable for the Dolphins, who have dominated this series, going 15-5, but are stuck in a rut. They’ve followed three opening victories with four losses, can’t protect quarterback Ryan Tannehill, and have seen Tannehill lose a leaguehigh five fumbles.
“We are in a tough spot, obviously coming off of four losses,” Tannehill said. “Big game at home, short week, it’s a very good opponent. It’s a big game for us.”
He knows the Bengals (6-2, No. 8 in the AP Pro32) can get after the quarterback — they have 22 sacks shared among 10 players. He also knows his counterpart, Andy Dalton, is on a torrid streak, throwing 11 TD passes in the past three games, including five against the Jets last Sunday.
Cincinnati has won four in a row and gets a bye next week. Miami (No. 19, AP Pro32) won’t curtail the Bengals’ momentum. … BENGALS, 22-20
No. 14 Chicago (plus 11) at No. 7 Green Bay, Monday night
Battered Bears in for more punishment against archrivals. … BEST BET: PACKERS, 33-17
No. 27 (tie) Atlanta (plus 7 1-2) at No. 12 Carolina
Who would have thought the Panthers could be such heavy favorites against Atlanta? … UPSET SPECIAL: FALCONS, 21-20
No. 1 (tie) Kansas City (minus 3) at No. 20 Buffalo
Some see this as Chiefs’ first loss. We don’t, but a close one. … CHIEFS, 17-16 No. 30 Minnesota (plus 10 1-2) at No. 13 Dallas
Hurting Cowboys lucky they get woeful Vikings this week. … COWBOYS, 34-16
No. 4 New Orleans (minus 5 1-2) at No. 17 New York Jets
Jets’ string of wins in oddnumbered games ends here. … SAINTS, 30-20
No. 21 Tennessee (minus 3) at No. 24 St. Louis
Rams showed toughness on defense against Seahawks. … RAMS, 17-13
No. 11 San Diego (pickem) at No. 23 Washington
Chargers come off bye, Broncos on tap next. Trap game. … REDSKINS, 27-23
No. 31 Tampa Bay (plus 16 1-2) at No. 1 (tie) Seattle
Been burned plenty by laying big point spreads. Haven’t learned from it. … SEAHAWKS, 30-10
No. 15 Baltimore (minus 2 1-2) at No. 26 Cleveland
Keep waiting for the real Ravens to show up. Maybe this week? … RAVENS, 17-13
No. 5 (tie) Indianapolis (minus 2 1-2) at No. 29 Houston
Keep waiting for real Texans to show up. Not this week. … COLTS, 23-17
No. 27 (tie) Pittsburgh (plus 7) at No. 9 New England
Roethlisberger thinks Brady is best of all QBs. … PATRIOTS, 21-16
No. 25 Philadelphia (off) at No. 18 Oakland
Uncertainty at Eagles QB eliminates spread. … RAIDERS, 24-16
2013 RECORD: Against spread: 7-8 (47-58-3). Straight up: 11-2
(74-47). Best Bet: 4-3 against spread, 7-0 straight up. Upset special: 1-6 against spread, 1-6 straight up.
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