Two teams largely playing out the string on disappointing seasons meet on Sunday afternoon in Week 17 – it was flexed out of primetime -- when the Miami Dolphins visit the Cleveland Browns.
Miami opened as a 6.5-point favourite on the NFL odds.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
This originally was to be the Sunday night game in Week 17, but with few postseason implications was bumped to the afternoon and Falcons-Commanders took the primetime spot. I personally never would have imagined back in early September that Miami-Cleveland would be less important than Atlanta-Washington, but what makes the NFL great is parity.
It’s the home finale for the Browns and ownership has said that Coach Kevin Stefanski will retain his job even with the massively disappointing season. What the team does at quarterback with that terrible Deshaun Watson contract will be one of the NFL’s big offseason stories. Cleveland would probably release Watson at this point if it was financially doable. Owner Jimmy Haslam didn’t commit to Watson being on next year’s roster.
Miami has a playoff-caliber offence led by Tua Tagovailoa but when he missed four early season games due to a concussion and the team went 1-3 in those, it pretty much ruined the Dolphins’ postseason chances – although they still are mathematically alive. Coach Mike McDaniel absolutely will return next year as will Tua, who historically has been awful in games with a kickoff temperature below 40 degrees. That actually might not be the case Sunday.
Miami leads the all-time series 12-9, including two playoff games, and won the last meeting 39-17 at home in November 2022. Tagovailoa threw for 285 yards and three scores. Jacoby Brissett was Cleveland’s QB that day.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins kept their slim AFC wild-card hopes alive with a 29-17 home win over San Francisco on Sunday despite playing without former Pro Bowl wideout Jaylen Waddle due to injury – he might be back this week. Fellow star WR Tyreek Hill was listed as questionable because of a wrist injury, which he has battled throughout the season. He did play and had a TD catch but was otherwise not a big factor and had three drops.
Tua Tagovailoa was 22-for-34 for 215 yards and a TD but had his streak of eight straight starts completing at least 70 per cent of his passes, tied for the NFL’s longest run since 1950, come to an end. Jonnu Smith had six catches for 62 yards and has set franchise season records for a tight end in receptions (76) and receiving yards (802). Miami improved to 17-4 vs. 500 or worse teams since the start of the 2023 season compared to 1-10 vs. teams entering with a winning record. The Dolphins have to win out and get help to reach the playoffs. They are 6-12 ATS in their past 18.
Cleveland Browns
AFC North last-place Cleveland gave second-year Dorian Thompson-Robinson his first start of the season at quarterback on Sunday, and it went about as well as expected in a 24-6 home defeat to Cincinnati, the Browns’ fourth straight loss – each by at least nine points. It appears to be a team that has quit. Thompson-Robinson passed for 157 yards and two interceptions, had 49 yards rushing and was sacked five times. He will start again here as long as a calf injury suffered Sunday isn’t a big deal.
The Browns have become the first NFL team with at least three turnovers in five straight games since the 2013 Lions did it six in a row. Pass-rusher Myles Garrett was a bright spot in the loss with his 12th sack of the season to reach triple digits career. He became the fourth-fastest player to reach 100 career sacks since 1982 and joined Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor (1985-89) as only players with at last 12 sacks in five consecutive seasons (since 1982 when sacks became official statistic). Cleveland is 1-6 ATS in its past seven games.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Dolphins vs. Browns?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 24 Dec 1:53pm | - | - | O +40 -110 |
Closing 29 Dec 11:44pm | - | - | U +20.5 -130 |
- Regular Season
Dolphins Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
12 |
Rushing |
907 |
Passing |
2867 |
Receiving |
81 |
Sacks |
10 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Touchdowns |
5 |
Rushing |
565 |
Passing |
2121 |
Receiving |
64 |
Sacks |
3 |
Interceptions |
1 |
- Regular Season
Browns Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
12 |
Rushing |
907 |
Passing |
2867 |
Receiving |
81 |
Sacks |
10 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Touchdowns |
5 |
Rushing |
565 |
Passing |
2121 |
Receiving |
64 |
Sacks |
3 |
Interceptions |
1 |
Weather

temp | 54 |
condition | cloudy |
wind | South 15mph |
Injuries
Dee Eskridge (WR)
Jake Bailey (P)
Tyreek Hill (WR)
Jevon Holland (S)
Jordan Poyer (S)
Kendall Fuller (CB)
Tyreek Hill (WR)
Alec Ingold (FB)
Jordan Poyer (S)
Tua Tagovailoa (QB)
Devin Bush (LB)
Michael Hall Jr. (DT)
Dalvin Tomlinson (DT)
Grant Delpit (S)
Myles Garrett (DE)
Pierre Strong Jr. (RB)
Dorian Thompson-Robinson (QB)
Brandon Bouyer-Randle (LB)
Blake Whiteheart (TE)
Cameron Thomas (DE)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dee Eskridge (WR) | Questionable | Finger - 04 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Eskridge is managing a finger injury, and it has yet to be established if he will play against the Jets on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Jake Bailey (P) | Questionable | Back - 02 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Bailey is managing a back injury, and it is uncertain if he will suit up against the Jets on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Tyreek Hill (WR) | Questionable | Wrist - 02 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Hill is nursing a wrist injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Jets on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Jevon Holland (S) | Questionable | Wrist - 02 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Holland is nursing a wrist injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Jets on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Jordan Poyer (S) | Questionable | Knee - 02 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Poyer is hobbled by a knee injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Jets on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Kendall Fuller (CB) | out for season | Knee - 25 / 12 / 24 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Fuller is placed on the injured reserve list with a knee injury, and he is projected to miss the remainder of the season. |
|||||
Tyreek Hill (WR) | Questionable | Wrist - 25 / 12 / 24 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Hill is bothered by a wrist injury, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Browns on Sunday, December 29th. |
|||||
Alec Ingold (FB) | Questionable | Ankle - 25 / 12 / 24 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Ingold is bothered by an ankle injury, and it is unclear if he will face Jets on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Jordan Poyer (S) | Questionable | Knee - 25 / 12 / 24 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Poyer is bothered by a knee injury, and it has yet to be established if he will play against the Browns on Sunday, December 29th. |
|||||
Tua Tagovailoa (QB) | Doubtful | Hip - 25 / 12 / 24 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Tagovailoa is bothered by a hip injury, and he is not expected to face the Jets on Sunday, January 5th. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Devin Bush (LB) | Questionable | Thigh - 04 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Bush is battling with a thigh injury, and it is unclear if he will face the Ravens on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Michael Hall Jr. (DT) | Out | Knee - 04 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Hall Jr. injured his knee , and he is unlikely to be active against the Ravens on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Dalvin Tomlinson (DT) | Out | Knee - 02 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Tomlinson is hampered by a knee injury, and he is unlikely to suit up against the Ravens on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Grant Delpit (S) | Questionable | Shoulder - 01 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Delpit is battling a shoulder injury, and it is uncertain if he will be active against the Ravens on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Myles Garrett (DE) | Questionable | Thigh - 01 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Garrett is laid up with a thigh injury, and it is undetermined if he will dress against the Ravens on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Pierre Strong Jr. (RB) | Out indefinitely | Concussion - 01 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Strong Jr has been placed on injured reserve with a concussion, and there is no timetable for recovery. |
|||||
Dorian Thompson-Robinson (QB) | Questionable | Calf - 01 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Thompson-Robinson is fighting off a calf injury, and it is unknown if he will participate against the Ravens on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Brandon Bouyer-Randle (LB) | Questionable | Undisclosed - 01 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Bouyer-Randle is managing an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will be active against the Ravens on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Blake Whiteheart (TE) | Questionable | Knee - 01 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Whitehart is dealing with a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will take the field against the Ravens on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Cameron Thomas (DE) | Questionable | Back - 01 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Thomas is battling a back injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Ravens on Sunday, January 5th. |
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 24 Dec 1:53pm - - O +40 -110 Closing 29 Dec 11:44pm - - U +20.5 -130 -
- Regular Season
Dolphins Team Leaders
Touchdowns 12
Rushing 907
Passing 2867
Receiving 81
Sacks 10
Interceptions 3
Touchdowns 5
Rushing 565
Passing 2121
Receiving 64
Sacks 3
Interceptions 1
-
- Regular Season
Browns Team Leaders
Touchdowns 12
Rushing 907
Passing 2867
Receiving 81
Sacks 10
Interceptions 3
Touchdowns 5
Rushing 565
Passing 2121
Receiving 64
Sacks 3
Interceptions 1
-
Weather
temp 54 condition cloudy wind South 15mph -
Injuries
Dee Eskridge (WR)
Questionable Finger - 04 / 01 / 25Jake Bailey (P)
Questionable Back - 02 / 01 / 25Tyreek Hill (WR)
Questionable Wrist - 02 / 01 / 25Jevon Holland (S)
Questionable Wrist - 02 / 01 / 25Jordan Poyer (S)
Questionable Knee - 02 / 01 / 25Kendall Fuller (CB)
out for season Knee - 25 / 12 / 24Tyreek Hill (WR)
Questionable Wrist - 25 / 12 / 24Alec Ingold (FB)
Questionable Ankle - 25 / 12 / 24Jordan Poyer (S)
Questionable Knee - 25 / 12 / 24Tua Tagovailoa (QB)
Doubtful Hip - 25 / 12 / 24Devin Bush (LB)
Questionable Thigh - 04 / 01 / 25Michael Hall Jr. (DT)
Out Knee - 04 / 01 / 25Dalvin Tomlinson (DT)
Out Knee - 02 / 01 / 25Grant Delpit (S)
Questionable Shoulder - 01 / 01 / 25Myles Garrett (DE)
Questionable Thigh - 01 / 01 / 25Pierre Strong Jr. (RB)
Out indefinitely Concussion - 01 / 01 / 25Dorian Thompson-Robinson (QB)
Questionable Calf - 01 / 01 / 25Brandon Bouyer-Randle (LB)
Questionable Undisclosed - 01 / 01 / 25Blake Whiteheart (TE)
Questionable Knee - 01 / 01 / 25Cameron Thomas (DE)
Questionable Back - 01 / 01 / 25Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Dee Eskridge (WR) Questionable Finger - 04 / 01 / 25 1-0 0-1 + - Eskridge is managing a finger injury, and it has yet to be established if he will play against the Jets on Sunday, January 5th.
Jake Bailey (P) Questionable Back - 02 / 01 / 25 1-0 0-1 + - Bailey is managing a back injury, and it is uncertain if he will suit up against the Jets on Sunday, January 5th.
Tyreek Hill (WR) Questionable Wrist - 02 / 01 / 25 1-0 0-1 + - Hill is nursing a wrist injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Jets on Sunday, January 5th.
Jevon Holland (S) Questionable Wrist - 02 / 01 / 25 1-0 0-1 + - Holland is nursing a wrist injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Jets on Sunday, January 5th.
Jordan Poyer (S) Questionable Knee - 02 / 01 / 25 1-0 0-1 + - Poyer is hobbled by a knee injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Jets on Sunday, January 5th.
Kendall Fuller (CB) out for season Knee - 25 / 12 / 24 2-0 1-1 + - Fuller is placed on the injured reserve list with a knee injury, and he is projected to miss the remainder of the season.
Tyreek Hill (WR) Questionable Wrist - 25 / 12 / 24 2-0 1-1 + - Hill is bothered by a wrist injury, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Browns on Sunday, December 29th.
Alec Ingold (FB) Questionable Ankle - 25 / 12 / 24 2-0 1-1 + - Ingold is bothered by an ankle injury, and it is unclear if he will face Jets on Sunday, January 5th.
Jordan Poyer (S) Questionable Knee - 25 / 12 / 24 2-0 1-1 + - Poyer is bothered by a knee injury, and it has yet to be established if he will play against the Browns on Sunday, December 29th.
Tua Tagovailoa (QB) Doubtful Hip - 25 / 12 / 24 2-0 1-1 + - Tagovailoa is bothered by a hip injury, and he is not expected to face the Jets on Sunday, January 5th.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Devin Bush (LB) Questionable Thigh - 04 / 01 / 25 0-1 0-1 + - Bush is battling with a thigh injury, and it is unclear if he will face the Ravens on Sunday, January 5th.
Michael Hall Jr. (DT) Out Knee - 04 / 01 / 25 0-1 0-1 + - Hall Jr. injured his knee , and he is unlikely to be active against the Ravens on Sunday, January 5th.
Dalvin Tomlinson (DT) Out Knee - 02 / 01 / 25 0-1 0-1 + - Tomlinson is hampered by a knee injury, and he is unlikely to suit up against the Ravens on Sunday, January 5th.
Grant Delpit (S) Questionable Shoulder - 01 / 01 / 25 0-1 0-1 + - Delpit is battling a shoulder injury, and it is uncertain if he will be active against the Ravens on Sunday, January 5th.
Myles Garrett (DE) Questionable Thigh - 01 / 01 / 25 0-1 0-1 + - Garrett is laid up with a thigh injury, and it is undetermined if he will dress against the Ravens on Sunday, January 5th.
Pierre Strong Jr. (RB) Out indefinitely Concussion - 01 / 01 / 25 0-1 0-1 + - Strong Jr has been placed on injured reserve with a concussion, and there is no timetable for recovery.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson (QB) Questionable Calf - 01 / 01 / 25 0-1 0-1 + - Thompson-Robinson is fighting off a calf injury, and it is unknown if he will participate against the Ravens on Sunday, January 5th.
Brandon Bouyer-Randle (LB) Questionable Undisclosed - 01 / 01 / 25 0-1 0-1 + - Bouyer-Randle is managing an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will be active against the Ravens on Sunday, January 5th.
Blake Whiteheart (TE) Questionable Knee - 01 / 01 / 25 0-1 0-1 + - Whitehart is dealing with a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will take the field against the Ravens on Sunday, January 5th.
Cameron Thomas (DE) Questionable Back - 01 / 01 / 25 0-1 0-1 + - Thomas is battling a back injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Ravens on Sunday, January 5th.