NFL Week 6 Preview   Packers vs Dolphins

NFL Week 6 Preview – Packers vs Dolphins

By Rich Bergeron

NFL Betting Line from Bovada – Packers vs Dolphins:

  • Point Spread: Green Bay Packers -3.5 (-105), Miami Dolphins +3.5 (-115)
  • Money Line: Packers -155, Dolphins +135
  • Over Under: 49 points, Over (-115), Under (-105)

NFL Week 6 Preview   Packers vs Dolphins

The 2-2 Miami Dolphins started the season with a bang, smashing up the New England Patriots on the ground and through the air with a 33-20 victory in their season opener. Sunday they take on another durable and consistent quarterback and his dynamic offense, hoping to pull off a similar, epic upset against the 3-2 Green Bay Packers.

Yet, this time they have to do it without a healthy, battle-tested Knowshon Moreno, who gouged the Pats for 134 yards and a touchdown in week one. Moreno will be coming back from an elbow hyper-extension he sustained after just one carry the following week against the Bills, so he’ll likely be treated with caution. He’ll split the carries with Lamar Miller (49 carries, 277 yards, 2 TDs, 12 receptions, 53 yards, TD) at best, but if he’s able to rise to the occasion and chalk up some nice yards, he could be the difference for the Dolphins. His only complication in a full week of practice is dealing with the brace he now has to wear on the injured elbow.

The only win the Dolphins had so far without Moreno in the backfield for the bulk of the snaps was against the Oakland Raiders in London on September 28th. The running game is still the team’s greatest strength (5th in the league) in the absence of Moreno, so having him back will only it more fierce. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill (93-155, 902 yards, 6 TDs, 3 INTs) is not the most dynamic QB in the league at 27th in total passing yardage on the season, but he’s dangerous when his runners get untracked.

Green Bay’s Quarterback Aaron Rodgers (98-147, 1155 yards, 12 TDs, INT) is only nine slots better than Tannehill this season, but his backfield ranks 25th in the league. The team’s 42-10 win over Minnesota last Thursday came thanks to a rare breakout performance from Packers Running Back Eddie Lacy, who scored two touchdowns and racked up 105 yards on just 13 carries.

Defensively, the Dolphins are the better team on paper. Their 215 yards of passing allowed per game is good for 9th in the league, and their 107.3 rushing yards allowed per game has them in 12th place there. The Packers are pitiful against the run, allowing an average of 163 rushing yards per game (32nd in the league). Their main strength on defense is against the pass, allowing an average of 208.8 yards per game through the air.

Moreno won’t be the only Dolphin returning to the field for this key game. Safety Reshad Jones and Center Mike Pouncey will be making their first appearances of the season Sunday.

Both teams have yet to win without scoring at least 30 points on offense, and Miami is averaging 35.5 points per game in their two wins compared to 12.5 points per game in their two losses. The Dolphins are 10-3 against the Packers overall, winning the last meeting 23-20 in overtime.

Prediction: The Packers struggle early and have to mount a late comeback. Miller and Moreno churn up the yards, but Tannehill makes some key mistakes to allow Green Bay to stay in the game. The Packers get the winning touchdown on a desperate fourth quarter drive, sneaking away from Miami with a 24-17 victory. Rodgers puts up some decent numbers with two touchdown passes and Lacy taking the heat off with another career day rushing.

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NFL Week 6 Preview   Packers vs Dolphins
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NFL Week 6 Preview - Packers vs Dolphins
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NFL Betting Line from Bovada - Packers vs Dolphins: Packers -3.5 (-105), Dolphins +3.5 (-115), Money Line: Packers -155, Dolphins +135, Over Under: 49 pts
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