NFL odds were very interesting on the Miami Dolphins in 2008 as the team finished 11-5 straight up and 8-8 against the spread. The Dolphins were a huge surprise in head coach Tony Sparano’s first year as they won the AFC East. Almost every NFL betting expert is predicting that the Dolphins won’t have that kind of success in 2009.
NFL odds at the sportsbook should be a little higher on the Dolphins in 2009 simply for the fact that the rest of the AFC East looks improved. The Dolphins were able to win in 2008 versus the NFL odds due to efficient quarterback play and a solid defense. They added defensive lineman Jason Taylor and safety Gibril Wilson in the off-season but they lost safety Renaldo Hill and cornerback Andre Goodman. They took defensive back Vontae Davis in the first round of the NFL Draft in the hopes he can replace Goodman.
NFL betting information shows that the Dolphins will look very similar in 2009 to what they were in 2008. Pennington returns at quarterback as do running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. Ted Ginn was decent at receiver last season and overall the defense was good, led by Joey Porter who had 17.5 sacks. Miami was 9th in the league in points allowed as NFL odds numbers show and 15th in total yards allowed. Players like Channing Crowder and safety Yeremiah Bell had excellent seasons.
Miami added West Virginia quarterback Pat White in the NFL Draft and they may plug him into their Wildcat formation this season on offense. Miami is still a team that dinks and dunks down the field with Pennington. The Dolphins were 12th in total yards in the league last year but they were only 21st in points scored. They don’t have a lot of downfield threats so it is important that Pennington avoids mistakes in 2009 if the Dolphins are to win versus the NFL odds.
The defense looks solid again for Miami and they will need to be with Tom Brady back with the Patriots and offensive improvement expected in New York and in Buffalo. Overall in terms of NFL odds, the Dolphins look very much the same as they did in 2008. Repeating the success in NFL odds might be more difficult considering their schedule and the improvement of the other teams in the AFC East.