Miami Dolphins Vs. Chicago Bears: Tyler Thigpen's Chance to Shine

When the Miami Dolphins host the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football, third string quarterback Tyler Thigpen will get his chance to lead the Dolphins to victory. Online sportsbook BetMania has the latest NFL odds posted for this game and they list the Dolphins as one point favorites.

Thigpen will get his chance this weekend because the two quarterbacks ahead of him on the depth chart, Chad Pennington and Chad Henne, both suffered injuries last week against the Tennessee Titans.

Pennington suffered a potentially career ending shoulder injury and Henne has been on crutches since hurting his knee. The Dolphins scouted backup quarterbacks and signed Patrick Ramsey, who has not played since 2008. So, this week Thigpen will get his chance.

Thigpen entered the game against the Titans and drove 85 yards to lock down the victory. Thigpen completed four of six attempts for 64 yards and a score, looking poised considering his limited action with this team. That will change this week as Miami Dolphins Coach Tony Sparano confirmed that the majority of the reps in practice will go to Thigpen.

Thigpen is not a former lost cause, he started 11 games with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2008. He is a gunslinger who likes to take chances and with Henne’s starting job on thin ice already this is a golden opportunity for Thigpen to nab the starting gig.

Thigpen brings an aspect to the game that the other quarterbacks did not have, he can run. The mobility adds an extra feature to the offense and the Bears defense will now have adjust how they prepare for this game. The rocket arm combined with the quick legs of the third stringer will win this next game over the Chicago Bears.

The Bears have traditionally struggled against the Wildcat offense and the Dolphins will utilize it in this game. The Bears have also struggled to cash in for NFL bettors on a short week of preparation as they are 0-3-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last four Thursday games. Quarterback Jay Cutler is good for a few turnovers in seemingly every game and since they won last week his costly turnovers were overlooked.

Last week the Dolphins suffered so many injures that the performance on the field has been overlooked. The Dolphins had the best offensive output of the season and they had four different players take a snap from under center. The Dolphins have also paid off at the betting window at a 4-1 ATS clip in the last five games and a very nice 7-3 ATS in the last ten games against teams with a winning record.

Dolphins will win this week and Thigpen will shine!

Matt Regaw is a B/R Featured Columnist and the founder of BookieBlitz.com, your one-stop shop for sports articles, previews and predictions. Feel free to contact Matt at [e-mail].