Thursday Night Football doesn’t have the best reputation for showing marquee matchups, but it will treat us to a gem every once in a while. Unfortunately, this isn’t one of those times.
But the good news is that any TNF game can be a blast when you incorporate NFL betting. This week features the 6-2 Baltimore Ravens heading to Miami to take on the 2-7 Dolphins. So let’s have a look at what we can expect from this seemingly lopsided matchup.
Records on Thursday Night Football
Both of these teams have fared well in the primetime Thursday slot. The Baltimore Ravens have played a total of 13 games on Thursday nights and have an 8-5 record, while the Dolphins have played 22 times and have a 12-10 record.
You’ll also want to remember that Baltimore star quarterback Lamar Jackson has a lofty 40-14 record in primetime games and seems to take his game to another level when the lights are bright.
The Ravens Are Rolling
The Ravens have played well this year and currently sit atop the AFC North with a 6-2 record. Lamar Jackson is on an MVP-caliber pace, having already thrown for over 2200 yards and rushing for 600 more. Baltimore looks like a Super Bowl contender aside from a hiccup against Cincinnati a couple of weeks ago when the Ravens put up a dud.
In typical Raven fashion, they lead the league in rushing with 161.1 yards per game and are second in total yards at 442.6. On defense, they’re susceptible to the passing game ranking 31st in the league but have allowed opponents just 91.8 yards per game on the ground.
The Dolphins Don’t Have an Identity
Even the Dolphins don’t know who they are, which is reflected in their 2-7 record. The team has sent a clear message that they don’t have confidence in young quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, as he’s been the subject of trade talks all season long. Even the players don’t seem to have his back, which was displayed when they didn’t make him the captain this season – a title usually reserved for the quarterback.
The Dolphins are near the bottom of the league in most categories on both sides of the ball, and Head Coach Brian Flores is no doubt feeling the heat. The team is 30th in the league in total yards on both offense and defense.
What To Expect on Thursday Night?
The Dolphins are currently 7.5 underdogs at home with a money line paying out +290. It’s unclear whether Tua will start at quarterback this week as he’s still feeling the effects of a fractured finger. Jacoby Brissett took over last week and picked up a win against the Texans despite turning the ball over three times.
Regardless of the Dolphins’ QB, this should be a walk in the park for the Ravens. Not only do they have primetime legend Lamar Jackson, but they also own the all-time series 10-6, including a 59-10 defeat the last time they met.
Get Some Skin in the Game
Even though this game appears to be a mismatch on paper, we all know how wacky the NFL can be at any given time. But for this Thursday Night Football matchup, I like the Ravens to cover the spread and beat the Dolphins by a couple of touchdowns.
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