Week 9 Best Bets: A Sunday Double
Michael Norbury brings you his best Week 8 bets for the afternoon slot on Sunday.
Las Vegas Raiders @ Los Angeles Chargers
The 4-3 Raiders head to LA to face the 2-5 Chargers. A sentence which might suggest a one-sided contest, but these are two evenly matched teams. The Chargers did a, well, Chargers against Denver last week as they blew a 24-10 lead to lose 31-30 in the dying seconds. A tale which perfectly illustrates why they sit 2-5.
The Raiders have defensive issues. They held the Browns to 6 points last week, but they were heavily assisted by the Cleveland weather. Aside from that and a 30-24 victory over the Saints in week two, they have failed to hold any team to fewer than 30 points.
They face a Chargers offense which continues to thrive with rookie sensation Justin Herbert under centre. Austin Ekeler is a miss at running back and would have posed this below par run defense plenty of problems. The aerial threat is still very much alive though and they can have plenty of joy there.
The Chargers started the season well defensively but have struggled to keep teams out of the endzone in recent weeks; a misfiring Jaguars managed to amass 29 points in week seven before they allowed the Broncos 31 last week. They’ll need to be back on their game here as Las Vegas possess a genuinely dangerous offense. Tight end Darren Waller is unplayable on his day and is backed up by a quality receiving trio. Josh Jacobs provides the ground threat and is on course for another 1000-yard season. A well-rounded offense.
Two dangerous offenses and vulnerable defenses. Back over 51.5 points (10/11 multiple sites) then sit back and enjoy the shootout.
Miami Dolphins @ Arizona Cardinals
A battle between two of 2020’s surprise packages takes place in Arizona. Both hold winning records after 5-11 and 5-10-1 seasons in 2019.
Week 8 saw the eagerly anticipated debut of rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for the Dolphins. The result went to plan as they toppled the Rams 28-17, but that flattered Miami in a big way. They managed only 145 yards of total offense with Tua stuttering his way to 90 through the air.
The Rams would have strolled to victory but for a punt return and a recovered fumble contributing touchdowns amongst other strange goings on. The Dolphins will have to rediscover their offensive flow this week as the Cardinals are unlikely to be as generous…
5-2 Arizona come in refreshed off a bye week after inflicting a first 2020 defeat on Seattle in week seven. Their ground game is sensational (they rank 2nd in rushing yards in the NFL), spearheaded by elusive quarterback Kyler Murray. Murray’s passing game continues to improve as well, and he is enjoying life with superstar receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
The Dolphins defense has conceded the least points per game in the league, but this is skewed by games against the hopeless Jets (0 points), the Jaguars (13) and the 49ers with C.J. Beathard under centre (17). This Arizona offense presents an altogether different challenge.
Looks can be deceiving, and that’s certainly the case when you look at parts of this Dolphins season. The red-hot Murray can lead the Cardinals to a comfortable victory. Take the -4.5 (10/11 multiple sites).
Selections
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS @ LOS ANGELES CHARGERS – OVER 51.5 POINTS (10/11 MULTIPLE SITES)
ARIZONA CARDINALS -4.5 (10/11 MULTIPLE SITES)
DOUBLE PAYS 2.64/1 (£20 PAYS £72.89)
michael norbury
nfl betting analyst
michael’s interest in the nfl became an obsession once his attendance at sunday dinner was no longer mandatory. he follows the ravens and has a soft spot for the dolphins. you can find him on twitter @norburymike