NFL
NFL Week 17: Dolphins on unsteady path for postseason
The action returns this weekend with a crucial AFC East match-up between the Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots, while elsewhere the Cincinnati Bengals welcome the Buffalo Bills to Paycor Stadium for a clash at the top of their respective tables.
Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots
This fixture is a strong rivalry between second and third place in the AFC East division. Things have gone from bad to worse for the Miami Dolphins, extending a three-game losing streak on Sunday while their star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustained a potential concussion. The events have seen the odds swing in New England Patriots favour to 20/29 ahead of this critical clash.
The potential injury couldn’t have come at a worse time with the Dolphins needing to win both of their remaining games to clinch a spot in the postseason play offs. One win may also get them there but sees heavy reliance on a loss from the Patriots or the Jets.
Aside from their precarious position for postseason, the Dolphins will need to focus solely on the present as they kick off as 5/4 underdogs. It’s all to play for and there is no doubt this will be a nail-biting game for both sides from start to finish.
The Patriots will kick off -2.5 in the spread as home crowds cheer them on at the Gillette Stadium. They also head into this clash on a losing streak after their 18-22 defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals last weekend extended their streak to two.
Despite the loss, the side are 7-8 this season and as mentioned, are not without chance of a postseason run which will make this matchup all the more intense. The Patriots quarterback Mac Jones has 2550 passing yards to his name this season and with his opposite man potentially out of the game, will look to assert his dominance in the position.
Overall, a high scoring game is anticipated with both teams to score two or more touchdowns priced at 5/7. With the playoff picture looking uncertain, expect tensions to be running high ahead of this New Year’s Day fixture.
Check out the latest betting odds at William Hill
Buffalo Bills @ Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are now on a seven-game winning streak following their victory over the New England Patriots last weekend, making them 11-4 at the top of the AFC North division. Having already clinched the Wild Card spot, they will be hoping to claim the top seed.
However, the Bengals kick off as the slight home underdogs at 20/21 and -1 in the spread. The two best teams in the NFL will no doubt produce highly entertaining offensive plays, with Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow facing off against Buffalo Bill’s quarterback Josh Allen in an intriguing battle of wits.
The Bills will fancy their chances at 20/23 for their second consecutive game on the road. Sean McDermott’s team are now on a six-game winning streak and have already clinched the division, currently 12-3 at the top of AFC East.
Last weekend’s game saw the Bills better the Chicago Bears 35-13 with running back Devin Singletary gaining 106 yards and scoring a touchdown with their offence having been in form all season. They will no doubt be looking to hit their highest levels against their main rivals ahead of the play offs.
This looks to be the matchup of the week and an extremely high scoring game expected, with William Hill offering both teams to score three touchdowns at 31/20 and the over/under at 49.5 (10/11).
