Miami Dolphins vs. Oakland Raiders: Betting Odds Analysis and Pick Prediction

Since knocking off the New England Patriots in the opening weekend, the Miami Dolphins have lost two in a row both straight up and against the spread.

Luckily for the Dolphins, their next game comes against a team they've beaten four times in a row, the Oakland Raiders, Sunday afternoon on the neutral field at Wembley Stadium in London.

Point spread: The Dolphins opened as 3.5-point favorites; the total was 41 (line updates and matchup report).

Odds Shark computer prediction: 19.3-11.8 Dolphins

Why the Dolphins can cover the spread

The Dolphins have lost two games in a row, but both games were up for grabs into the later stages. Two weeks ago, Miami only trailed the Buffalo Bills by one score late into the third quarter before succumbing 29-10. Last week, the Dolphins only trailed Kansas City by one score going into the fourth quarter before allowing the last two touchdowns in a 34-15 defeat.

If Miami could just finish, like it did against the Patriots three weeks ago, it might be fine in this one. Through three games, the Dolphins rank seventh in the league in rushing, at 137 yards per game, even without Knowshon Moreno the last two games. The defense ranks ninth overall, holding foes to 324 YPG.

Why the Raiders can cover the spread

The Raiders are 0-3 SU but 2-1 ATS thanks to a pair of road covers on the East Coast. They lost 19-14 at the New York Jets in the opening weekend but earned a back-door cover as six-point dogs on a Derek Carr-to-James Jones TD pass with about a minute to go.

And last week, as 14-point dogs at New England, the Raiders never trailed by more than seven points, had a late game-tying touchdown negated by a holding penalty and didn't lose their chance at the upset until Denarius Moore had a Carr pass go right through his hands, off his chest and into the hands of New England's Vince Wilfork inside the Patriots' 10-yard line.

If Oakland can play the Patriots tough, it can hang with Miami.

Smart Pick

Neither of these teams has done much to inspire confidence this season. Miami played one good half against New England but hasn't done much else.

And Oakland has scored a total of 37 points through three games. In a case like this, neither team should be favored, and it's often a good idea to bet against a bad favorite. That would mean a wager on the Raiders, despite the computer’s projection of a 19-12 final for Miami.

Trends

• Miami is 7-1 SU in its last eight games when playing Oakland.
• Oakland is 1-7 SU in its last eight games when playing Miami.

Note: All spread and odds data powered by Odds Shark. Follow us on Twitter for injury updates and line-move updates.