Dolphins vs. Titans: NFL Week 17 betting odds, preview, and pick

Two AFC clubs will look to solidify their playoff position as the Miami Dolphins take on the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Dolphins are red-hot, having won seven straight games, but only one of those teams was above .500 (Baltimore Ravens). However, three of their last four triumphs were by more than one score, including Monday’s 20-3 takedown of the New Orleans Saints.

The Titans have won two of their last three games, and are rested since Dec. 23, when they beat the San Francisco 49ers on a last-minute field goal.

Let’s dive into the matchup and see where bettors should be landing.

Miami Dolphins (8-7) at Tennessee Titans (10-5), 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS

Dolphins need Tua to come through

If Miami wins this one on the road, it likely won’t be because of Myles Gaskin.

Gaskin has headmanned the NFL’s third-worst rushing attack by yards per game this season (86.6), and faces Tennessee’s second-ranked run stoppers (86.7 yards allowed per game).

The burden rests with second year signal caller Tua Tagovailoa, who’s been accurate enough through the air this year (70.1%), but far from lethal. The Alabama product has gone for a modest 7.1 yards per attempt in 2021, and has just 15 passing touchdowns through 10 games.

The Titans own the league’s seventh-worst pass stoppers (246.5 yards allowed per game), but even they should keep this stunted Dolphins offense in check.

What can Brown do for the Titans?

Tennessee’s running-back-by-committee approach has not paid off dividends, as D’Onta Foreman, Dontrell Hilliard, and Jeremy McNichols combined for a mere 90 yards against the Niners last week. As a result, quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s stats have suffered as well.

Tannehill has failed to eclipse 210 passing yards in four straight games, tossing only two touchdowns to go with two interceptions in that span. He’s also been sacked 14 times in his last four games, and faces the NFL’s top-ranked pass rush (45 sacks) on Sunday.

However, the return of wide-out A.J. Brown following a three-game absence was a shot in the arm for this Titans offense. It will be hard for him to replicate his 11 reception, 145-yard performance from Week 15, but similar production would help Tennessee’ cause immensely in a game where points could be precious.

Dolphins vs. Titans injury report

Dolphins and Titans betting trends

• The Dolphins are 5-1-1 ATS in their last seven games as a road underdog
• The Dolphins are 2-6 ATS in their last eight games played in January
• The Titans are 5-2 ATS in their last seven home games
• The underdog is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings between these teams
• The Under is 4-0 in the Dolphins’ last four road games

The verdict

Both the Dolphins and the Titans have carried below-average offenses for many weeks now. Don’t expect a shootout to occur in Nashville this Sunday.

Score prediction: Titans 20, Dolphins 13

NFL pick: Under 41.5

Dolphins vs. Titans pick powered by The Quant Edge

Our predictive engine is calling for the Titans to win, and the game to go Over the projected total.