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@HimmyBuffett and @Ndamukongsuhfan debate which side of Sunday Night Football you should bet going into a primetime matchup between the Dolphins and the Eagles.

The forthcoming blog is the brainchild of a group of friends after a night at the bars who decided that you could realistically make a case for, or talk yourself into, any bet on the board across an NFL slate. The concept is that two of us will take opposing sides of an NFL primetime game and come up with a few strong points to discuss why we would bet on that particular side (similar to a debate team concept). We will reconvene for a conclusion after presenting each other with our argument for our own side. 

There should be a disclaimer that we are idiot gamblers who bet with our hearts more often than our brains because at the end of the day everyone just wants to cash tickets with their boys. It should also be noted that both sections were written independently and without any collaboration. We all have our own methods, please enjoy ours. The facts and stats presented here will range from “Could Hold Up In A Court of Law” all the way to “Hail Mary Spinzone to Try and Convince Everyone I’m Right”. But, without further ado, here is a debate blog for Week 7 Sunday Night Football: Philadelphia Eagles (5-1) @ Miami Dolphins (5-1). 

Why The Dolphins:

Arguing the side of Dolphins +3: @HimmyBuffet

Speed Travels

During road contests this year, Tyreek Hill is averaging 104.3 yards per game on 6 catches, while counterpart Jaylen Waddle is hauling in 4 catches per game to the tune of 70 yards on average. The Eagles will be without key members of their secondary Reed Blankenship and Bradley Roby on Sunday Night so I feel as if the Dolphins might try to exploit them through the air. 

No One Wants a Track Meet With The Dolphins

I think there is a real chance that this game turns into a track meet. The Eagles defense hangs their hat on their interior run defense, allowing only 65 rushing yards per game, good enough for 2nd best in the league. Unfortunately for them, they are allowing a mediocre 232.2 passing yards per game, along with 20.7 points per game (20th and 15th in the league respectively). The Eagles are capable of getting got through the air and there’s a chance that the only trenches Mike McDaniel cares about are the ones in a World War I documentary he watches after a few bong rips. I expect the ball to be swung out in order to get Dolphins playmakers in space. 

A track meet implies that both sides are shooting it out, and I don’t think that’s a radical premise. The Eagles defense seems to be pretty sorted out as far as game flow and impact performances, specifically their interior play. I think the other side of the ball is what we have all been waiting for to click back into dominant 2022 form. Not to say that the Eagles offense has been putrid, but we have yet to see the poetry in motion of last year that carried the eagles to a Super Bowl appearance. All in all, I like the Dolphins covering +3 in a high scoring matchup. 

Did I Mention I Think These Teams Will Score

The Dolphins are averaging a league best 37.2 points per game through 6 games this season. Take out the 70 point bludgeoning of the Denver Broncos and they are still averaging 31 points per game over their last 3 games. The Eagles are allowing 20 points per game without facing a top 10 scoring offense this season, expect the Dolphins to showcase their playmakers and try to strike early and often on the road. The Eagles move the ball well too, they rank second in the league in yards per game with 395. You might be wondering who is first in that category, and the answer to that question is the Miami Dolphins, who average over one hundred more yards a game at 498.7. The Dolphins move the ball better than the Eagles and they score at a higher clip. I like their chances at covering the 3 points tonight. 

Why The Eagles:

The Case for the Philadelphia Eagles -3: @Ndamukongsuhfan

We’re at the Linc

Russia in the winter, Alcatraz island, low ground at the battle of Gettysburg, Lincoln Financial Field. What all of these places have in common is that the enemy does not fare well here. The Linc is the mecca for scumbag-ery in the NFL and tonight will be no different. As the weather starts to grow colder, the residents of Philadelphia begin to get more irate and problematic. Whether Santa is being bombarded with snowballs or opposing players are getting pelted with batteries, Philadelphia shows no bounds in showing their lack of decorum and sportsmanship. What I’m looking for here is any reference to Tua Tagovailoa’s series of concussions suffered last season, one of which left him petrified on the turf. A lot of NFL teams have negligible home field atmospheres, this is not the case at the Linc. Look for the noise to be a huge factor tonight in disrupting the flow of Miami’s offense.

Detour Ahead: Road blockage

While it’s no secret that Miami has an extremely talented and potent offense; the buck stops here. Philly’s front 7 is absolutely nothing to scoff at with behemoths up front such as Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter while LBs Nakobe Dean, Nolan Smith, and Haason Reddick are gonna cover the field outside of the tackles. Philly’s defense is fast and they are scary, something that Miami has yet to deal with. You’re off your rocker if you think Miami is gonna ream these guys like they did to Denver. Not gonna happen.

Miami’s Defense is Swiss Cheese

Sans Jalen Ramsey, Miami’s defense is hard to watch. They’ve looked alright the last 2 weeks against horrible teams in the New York Football Giants and the Panthers. The Eagles are far from these levels of dysfunction and debauchery. Look for AJ Brown to have a huge night against a Dolphins secondary made up of second shift elementary school janitors. Brown paired with Devonta Smith is going to be hell on Earth for these guys. Removed from that guys like Deandre Swift and Jalen Hurts are dynamic runners who can get downfield fast. Making hurt swiftly is something that would make any intro level philosophy or criminal justice professor alike, smile ear to ear. Those don’t exist in Philly but the joke still had to be made. 

New threads for the Birds

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last 6 months, the Eagles’ Kelly Green jerseys are making a triumphant return for tonight and that rocks. I think of these jerseys and I get going. Like the idiot I am, jersey selection has huge implications in tonight’s game. You look good, you feel good, you play good. I don’t make the rules, I just enforce them. For anyone looking to double dunk, the over looks even better in these uniforms. Kelly green is the second fastest green behind neon green and is maybe two or three shades faster than the Birds normal threads. You want science and analytics? That’s science and analytics right there.

Conclusion

We both like points in this game for sure. Both offenses are prolific compared to the defenses that will be showcased tonight. The 3 point spread is going to come down to how well the Eagles defense can contain Miami’s speed. Bet responsibly and let’s have a great Sunday night.