Dolphins vs. Bears Point Spread: NFL Week 9 Odds, Prediction
The Dolphins’ resurgence has been sparked by the return of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who has been under center for each of the team’s five victories this season, capped by last week’s 31-27 victory in Detroit. The Bears failed to build on the momentum gained from their 33-14 win over New England two weeks ago on Monday Night Football as they dropped a 49-29 decision in Dallas that weekend that dumps them to 3-5 on the campaign.
The Dolphins have rocketed to 4.5-point favourites since opening as 3-point chalk, and have received the support of 69% of sports bettors. With both these teams coming off high-scoring contests, the total has also been on the rise, rocketing to 45.5 since opening at 41.5, with 71% of the betting action backing the OVER.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Sunday afternoon’s matchup at Soldier Field marks the first meeting between these teams in four years, and the Dolphins’ first trip to the Windy City since 2014. The Dolphins hold a clear historical edge in head-to-head action, winning the past two meetings with the Bears, and four of five since 1997. Miami has scored 27 or more points in each of their four recent wins over the Bears, and has averaged 29 points per game over their past two visits to Chicago. However, it is the UNDER that has paid out in six of the past nine meetings between these teams including three of four clashes in Chicago. Underdogs have also performed well when these teams meet, winning outright in seven of their past eight matchups. Not surprisingly, the road team has emerged victorious in seven of the past eight head-to-head tilts.
Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa showed no ill effects from his recent injury woes in last week’s win over the Lions. The Dolphins pivot connected on 29 of 26 pass attempts for 382 yards and three scores. The downfield duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle did most of the damage, combining to make 20 catches, including a pair of scoring receptions by Waddle. While Hill leads the team in receiving yards by a wide margin, it is Waddle that has been getting it done in the end zone, with his two scoring catches last weekend giving him a team-high five on the season. However, even with Tua back in the saddle, this team remains susceptible to slow starts. The Dolphins spotted Detroit a 27-17 halftime lead before storming back after recess, and have entered the break trailing in four of their past seven outings.
Chicago Bears
After turning in a stellar defensive effort in their upset victory over the Patriots two weeks ago, the Bears had no answer for a dominating Cowboys attack that reached the end zone on each of their first four possessions and tallied points on six of nine possessions overall. With Dak Prescott looking to be fully recovered from his recent thumb injury, the Cowboys moved the ball at will against a Chicago defence that limited opponents to an average of 237 total yards over their previous two outings. Overall, the Cowboys piled up 442 total yards on the day. Prescott led the charge with 250 passing yards and two scores. But the Bears really struggled against the Dallas ground game following strong performances against new England Washington, allowing four scoring runs including three by Tony Pollard. On a positive note, it was another strong outing by Justin Fields. The Bears pivot spearheaded a rally late in the first half, and lifted the Bears to within five of the Cowboys with an impressive scoring drive early in the third before the Cowboys took control. Now faced with another prolific quarterback enjoying a solid comeback from injury, the bears face a huge challenge to shut down Tua and force the Dolphins to rely on a ground game that has not produced a score in four of their past five games.
MIA
CHI