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Re: 12-14-08
Jeff Benton
Sunday's NFL winnners ...
5 Dime: 49ERS (plus the points vs. Dolphins) ... NOTE: If this line jumps to 6 1/2, play it smart and protect yourself by buying the half point and grabbing seven, which is obviously a key number in the NFL.
Along with the Falcons, the Miami Dolphins are in the midst of one of the most remarkable seasons I’ve ever witnessed in the NFL. For them to go 1-15 last year – with that lone victory coming in overtime – to 8-5 and atop the AFC East standings in 12 months is beyond stunning. But if there’s one legitimate criticism that can be charged against the Dolphins it’s their inability to handle the role of favorite. Miami has been a chalk six times this season and has covered the spread only once, and that was a 25-16 come-from-behind home win over the Bills as a scant one-point favorite (and in some spots, that game closed as a pick-em). On the other hand, since losing their first two games to the Jets and Cardinals, the Dolphins have cashed five straight times as an underdog.
Well, today, they’re laying almost a touchdown against the 49ers, who fall into the same category as the aforementioned Houston Texans: a team that’s going all out on both sides of the ball despite having nothing but pride for which to play. San Francisco has won back-to-back games for the first time this year, and it was against two teams from Miami’s division (10-3 road win at Buffalo; 24-14 home win over the Jets). Over their last five games, the 49ers are 4-1 ATS, with three outright wins. The most impressive had to have been last week’s 10-point beat-down of the first-place Jets. San Francisco finished with 375 total yards (100 rushing) and held New York to just 182 yards (59 rushing), and Niners QB Shaun Hill (275 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) clearly outplayed Brett Favre (137 passing yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT).
Now, I admit that this is a difficult travel spot for the 49ers, as they’re making their third trip to the East Coast since Oct. 19. They’re also on the road for the third time in the last four weeks, having previously trekked to Dallas and Buffalo in consecutive weeks at the end of November. That said, San Francisco is the ONLY team from the West Coast to win a game in the Eastern Time Zone this season (that seven-point win at the Bills). They’re playing with a lot of heart and a ton of confidence, and new coach Mike Singletary clearly has pushed the right motivational buttons. And even if RB Frank Gore is a no-go, I still think San Fran can hang in this game against Miami, which has struggled to beat the likes of the Seahawks (21-19) and Raiders (17-15) at home, as well as the lowly Rams (16-12) on the road. Take the points.
Jeff Benton
Sunday's NFL winnners ...
5 Dime: 49ERS (plus the points vs. Dolphins) ... NOTE: If this line jumps to 6 1/2, play it smart and protect yourself by buying the half point and grabbing seven, which is obviously a key number in the NFL.
Along with the Falcons, the Miami Dolphins are in the midst of one of the most remarkable seasons I’ve ever witnessed in the NFL. For them to go 1-15 last year – with that lone victory coming in overtime – to 8-5 and atop the AFC East standings in 12 months is beyond stunning. But if there’s one legitimate criticism that can be charged against the Dolphins it’s their inability to handle the role of favorite. Miami has been a chalk six times this season and has covered the spread only once, and that was a 25-16 come-from-behind home win over the Bills as a scant one-point favorite (and in some spots, that game closed as a pick-em). On the other hand, since losing their first two games to the Jets and Cardinals, the Dolphins have cashed five straight times as an underdog.
Well, today, they’re laying almost a touchdown against the 49ers, who fall into the same category as the aforementioned Houston Texans: a team that’s going all out on both sides of the ball despite having nothing but pride for which to play. San Francisco has won back-to-back games for the first time this year, and it was against two teams from Miami’s division (10-3 road win at Buffalo; 24-14 home win over the Jets). Over their last five games, the 49ers are 4-1 ATS, with three outright wins. The most impressive had to have been last week’s 10-point beat-down of the first-place Jets. San Francisco finished with 375 total yards (100 rushing) and held New York to just 182 yards (59 rushing), and Niners QB Shaun Hill (275 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) clearly outplayed Brett Favre (137 passing yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT).
Now, I admit that this is a difficult travel spot for the 49ers, as they’re making their third trip to the East Coast since Oct. 19. They’re also on the road for the third time in the last four weeks, having previously trekked to Dallas and Buffalo in consecutive weeks at the end of November. That said, San Francisco is the ONLY team from the West Coast to win a game in the Eastern Time Zone this season (that seven-point win at the Bills). They’re playing with a lot of heart and a ton of confidence, and new coach Mike Singletary clearly has pushed the right motivational buttons. And even if RB Frank Gore is a no-go, I still think San Fran can hang in this game against Miami, which has struggled to beat the likes of the Seahawks (21-19) and Raiders (17-15) at home, as well as the lowly Rams (16-12) on the road. Take the points.
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