As the 2024 NFL season looms closer, the Miami Dolphins find themselves in an enviable position, at least according to the early betting forecasts. DraftKings Sportsbook’s initial lines peg the Dolphins as the team to beat in a majority of their matchups, signaling strong confidence in their upcoming performance.
Early betting lines favor the Dolphins in 10 out of their 17 regular-season games, showcasing a bullish outlook for a team with much to prove. The optimism is especially pronounced at the start of the season, with Miami expected to outperform its opponents in all of its first seven contests.
A closer look at the betting lines reveals the Dolphins’ most anticipated victory to come in Week 12, where they are slated to host the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Here, Miami stands as a seven-point favorite, underscoring what many expect to be a significant home-field advantage against their divisional rivals.
Despite such prevalent favoritism, the Dolphins find themselves in the underdog position on just three occasions, never by more than a three-point margin. This indicates that even in matchups where they aren’t favored, they’re expected to remain highly competitive.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the Dolphins’ 2024 opening betting lines:
– **Week 1**, hosting Jacksonville Jaguars, sees the Dolphins favored by 3.5 points with an over/under set at 49.5.
– **Week 2**, against the Buffalo Bills, Miami is slightly favored by 1 point, with a 51-point over/under.
– During **Week 3**’s visit to Seattle, the Dolphins are again the favorites by 2, with the game’s total expected points at 49.
– In **Week 4**, facing the Tennessee Titans at home, Miami’s advantage jumps to 6.5 points, with a lower expected total of 46 points.
– A **Week 5** trip to New England marks them as 4.5-point favorites, with a 45-point game total.
– **Week 7** and **Week 8** bring victories against Indianapolis (by 1 point) and Arizona (by 6 points), respectively, with over/unders hovering around the mid to high 40s.
However, the tables turn in **Week 9** at Buffalo, and also against the L.A. Rams and San Francisco 49ers in subsequent weeks, where the Dolphins find themselves positioned as the underdogs, albeit narrowly.
The Dolphins’ season betting landscape presents a mix of optimistic forecasts and close contests, shaping a narrative of a team expected to ascend in the 2024 NFL season. These betting lines, while subject to change, offer an early glimpse into the perceived strengths and challenges that lie ahead for Miami, firing up discussions and expectations among fans and analysts alike.
*Note: Betting odds are dynamic and can shift. If you or someone you know requires assistance with gambling issues, support is available through 1-800-GAMBLER.*
In related news, additional coverage delves into the intricacies of the Dolphins’ 2024 schedule, analyzes the difficulty of their upcoming games, and provides a speculative overview of their 2025 opponents, alongside details of their preseason matchups.