The Baltimore Ravens will play the first of their three primetime games this season when they host the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night.
Las Vegas oddsmakers have given Baltimore the traditional three point home advantage on the short week, despite the fact that the Dolphins have won three in a row entering this contest and the Ravens have lost four of five. The point total is set as 37.5, the lowest of any game on the Week 8 slate, befitting a matchup that features the two worst statistical offenses in the NFL.
The Ravens will again receive the benefit of facing a backup quarterback. Matt Moore is in line to start after Ryan Tannehill was lost for the season in August and Jay Cutler went down with broken ribs last Sunday. Miami’s top receiver DeVante Parker and left tackle Laremy Tunsil are also listed as questionable to play.
Baltimore leads the all-time series between these franchises with a 8-6 record, winning six of the last seven and both postseason matches. The Ravens won the most recent meeting 38-6 at home. It was Joe Flacco’s best showing in recent memory, he threw for 381 yards and four touchdowns against the Dolphins last December.
As for gambling trends, Miami is 1-5 against the spread versus the AFC North since 2015 and 0-2 on Thursday night. The Ravens are 6-12 as a favorite and 7-11 at M&T Bank stadium against the spread over the same period. Five of six Dolphins games have gone under the point total this season.
In other pertinent matchups, the Bengals are 10 point home favorites over Indianapolis and the Steelers are favored by a field goal in Detroit on Sunday night. The Patriots are laying a touchdown at home against the Chargers, the Texans are six point underdogs in Seattle and the Chiefs will be 7.5 point favorites when hosting Denver on Monday night.