NFL Football
2008-09-07 - NEW YORK Jets at MIAMI Dolphins
A Sports Betting Pick by Simon
Dolphin Stadium, Miami
Sunday, 7th September 2008 - 1:00 PM ET
It will be an afternoon of debuts and drama when the Miami Dolphins host the New York Jets in Week 1 NFL action on Sunday.
NEW YORK JETS
Brett Favre makes his first regular season start for the Jets on Sunday, and the offense should put up points with Favre throwing to Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery.
The Jets finished last year 4-12, but the form improved after a terrible 1-8 start to go 3-4 over the last seven games.
New York have bolstered their offensive line in the offseason by adding free agents Alan Faneca and Damien Woody, and helped their defense with first-round pick Vernon Gholston and defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, acquired in a trade with Carolina.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
This is the first game for first-year Miami head coach Tony Sparano, who has promised to bring toughness to a squad that went 1-15 SU and 5-8-3 ATS last season under Cam Cameron.
This is also the national debut for rookie offensive tackle and 2008 first overall draft pick Jake Long while former New York quarterback Chad Pennington is under center for the Dolphins.
Bill Parcells and Dolphins brass are hoping Long can help protect Pennington in the pocket while giving running backs Ronnie Brown and the re-signed Ricky Williams some added room in the backfield.
INJURY NEWS
Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles is expected to start on Sunday despite a leg injury that has him listed as day-to-day.
Also listed as day-to-day is Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter, who is banged-up with a knee injury.
HEAD TO HEAD
New York cashed both matchups between the AFC East rivals last season, including a 40-13 drilling at Dolphin Stadium as 2-point underdogs.
Punters should also take note of the Jets’ 19-4-2 mark versus the spread in their last 25 meetings with the Dolphins.
BETTING FACTS
Both teams were solid for punters in the preseason. The Fish were 3-1 SU and against the number, as the Jets put up the same record while going 2-1-1 ATS.
The Pinnacle Sportsbook have the Jets as 3-point road favourites for the contest, with the total listed at 36 points.
THE VERDICT
Betting on the Jets to win on the road seems strange considering that New York went 1-7 on away trips last season, until you realise that that solitary victory was a 40-13 win in Miami.
The Dolphins should be better than last seasons 1-15 effort, that wouldn't be too hard, but I think that they'll still struggle to have a winning season an QB's like Brett Favre should have too much experience.
New York has won four straight and seven of eight against Miami - so I'll use that recent history as a good guide.
The Pick :
NEW YORK Jets to cover the spread
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take the NEW YORK JETS to win and cover the spread.
