Tennessee Titans @ Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins is my top play this Sunday, and my first 5x of the year. Ryan Tannehill missed the 2017 season due to injury, but reports are that he’s been very motivated to come back stronger and better than ever during the offseason, spending a ton of time in preparation. In his 7th year in the NFL, Ryan Tannehill is no longer considered a new QB in this league, and I expect him to have a bounce-back year with several new offensive weapons at his disposal. As bad as the Dolphins have been over the past several years, Tannehill is still 22-16 SU at home in his career, and he’s never really had much to work with. Before he got injured, he was playing his best football of his career with a passer rating of 100.1 going 7-1 in his final 8 games with the team. This year, he should be even better.
On the other side, we have a Titans team coming into the season with high expectations after winning a playoff game last season beating the Chiefs only to lose to the Patriots in the 2nd round. However, a team with high expectations when given a new head coach and new offensive coordinator never works out early, especially on the road. Mariota will be playing his first game in a new system, on the road against a strong defense, and a motivated Dolphins offense. Miami has played an entire year without their starting QB, lost the last 3 games of the 2017 season, and are a home underdog that nobody is talking about. I’m a Pats fan and won 5 digits on my play of the year last season with the Dolphins upsetting the Pats as double digit underdogs, I watch this division closely. Miami will be extremely motivated to win this game and I love the Dolphins chances this week to get a victory.
Miami went 6-10 last season despite having Jay Cutler leading the team, having the 6th hardest SOS, and having one of the worst contracts in the NFL in Suh. This season they released him freeing up a ton of money to sign multiple players. Yes Suh is one of the best in his position, but these expensive contracts are never good in the NFL outside the QB position, as no 1 player is worth this amount of money. It takes up too much cap space as teams need to sign so many players on the roster. (Raiders trading Mack also a great move). I’ll be backing the Dolphins frequently this season.
Seattle Seahawks @ Denver Broncos
I don’t think the Seahawks will make the playoffs this year, but I do like them here in week 1 for a few reasons. First, I love the idea of backing a veteran Superbowl winning team after an offseason of turmoil. So many changes happened with Seattle this summer, and they’ve basically been written off from their division and labeled in rebuilding mode. Most of that is true and rightfully written, but that could be very motivating for a veteran team to prove people wrong, especially in the first week against an average team starting a new QB.
The Broncos have issues of their own; most of it being on offense. They’ve always had a great defense, but very little playmakers on offense. And now to throw in a brand new QB to a sub-par offense I think will take time to gel and be able to make plays. No more Legion of Boom, but Earl Thomas is one of the best safeties in the league and I expect him to get the better of Keenum and his lack of supporting cast in this game. Seattle still has great coaching, a great QB, and a veteran safety leading the defense which should motivate the team to bring it in week 1 after the off-season they just had.
- Dolphins +105 (5x)
- Browns +4.5 (4x)
- Colts -2.5 (2x)
- Seahawks +3 (3x)
- Redskins +105 (2x)