Thursday Night Football arrives this week with the Ravens (2-5) hitting the road to face the Dolphins (2-6) in Miami Gardens. The biggest storyline of the game is the expected return of Lamar Jackson after missing three games with a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, Miami is trying to build some momentum after a 34-10 win in Week 8, but they still have questions to answer on both sides of the ball. We will see if the swagged-out version of Tua from the last postgame press conference shows up, or the one that has been turning the ball over in bunches.
It may not be the most exciting TNF matchup of the season, but it is a make-or-break game for both struggling teams.
On the betting front, Baltimore is opening as about a 7.5-point favorite across all the betting apps in Maryland, with the total O/U floating around 50.5 points. We’ll start with my game pick, and then get into my favorite player props for the game.
Game Pick: Ravens -7.5
I don’t love this line for either side, but I lean towards the Ravens covering here. I would probably buy a point down to -6.5, but I trust the Ravens to win by more than a score than I do the Dolphins to stay within 7. This is a key game to see if Baltimore is going to make a playoff push or if the season is a wash. With Lamar returning, I expect the team as a whole to be playing with newfound energy. The defense, which had been atrocious all season, finally had a good showing last week vs a surging Bears offense. The Ravens’ season is on the line, so they need to make a statement this week.
Tua Tagovailoa Over 0.5 Interceptions Thrown (-133)
This one feels like a lay-up, considering Tua has thrown 10 ints already this season. He managed not to throw any last week, which means that he’s due for a pass that makes you think, “What the hell was that, Tua?” The Ravens’ defense picked off Caleb Williams last week, and I expect them to get Tua at least once. The odds reflect that this is a fairly safe pick.
DeAndre Hopkins Over 16.5 Receiving Yards (-116)
With Lamar back, there are going to be more opportunities for receivers to get chunk plays than with Tyler Huntley or Cooper Rush. Early in the season, we saw that Lamar trusts the veteran receiver in big spots. D Hop is good for at least one big catch, especially against a weak Miami secondary. Over 1.5 receptions for positive odds is also a tempting bet, but I prefer going with the prop that can hit in one play. Hopkins is averaging 27.4 yards per game, so this line is well below his average.
Ollie Gordon Over 19.5 Rushing Yards (-105)
Last week, Ollie Gordon got 10 carries for 46 yards. Granted, the game script had something to do with that, since the Dolphins had a large lead for most of the game. Still, it shows that the rookie running back is becoming a more focal point of the offense. Achane is used more in the passing game, while Gordon has become the short-yardage back. He should get at least 6-7 carries (no, that wasn’t on purpose) and needs to average just over 3 yards per carry in those opportunities.
Total Odds on 4-leg Parlay: +950
While straight bets are the smarter play, who doesn’t love a good parlay? This is my play for the game, if you want to ride with me on this one! Be sure to find an odds boost on your favorite sports betting app.
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Running total
Game Picks ATS: 1-0
Player Props: 2-1
By Jake Koehler
Jake is a sports betting writer at BettingApps.com, covering the latest sportsbook news, app reviews, promos, and betting features across the NFL and beyond. For the rest of the season, he will provide weekly analysis, predictions, and updates to help readers make smarter bets and stay ahead of the game.
