Cincinnati Bengals vs. Miami Dolphins, 10/7/18 Week 5 Predictions

Bengals vs. Dolphins Spread Prediction

After getting spanked last week in Foxborough, the Miami Dolphins will look to rebound on Sunday when they visit the Cincinnati Bengals at 1:00 p.m. ET. Will the Fins at least cover as a road underdog?

Game Snapshot

465 Miami Dolphins at 466 Cincinnati Bengals

1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, October 7

Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Bengals are 6-point favorites to beat the Dolphins. The total, meanwhile, sits at 48 points. As of this writing, 58% of the public betting tickets are on the Bengals to cover the point spread.

Miami Dolphins

Dolphins DE Cameron Wake (knee) is out for Week 5 against the Bengals. Wake didn't practice this week and was surprisingly considered doubtful (rather than bluntly being labeled as 'out'). It's a massive downgrade to the Fins' defensive line, as the team could also potentially be without DE Andre Branch (questionable, knee). The Bengals could've hit the lottery since C Billy Price was ruled out Friday.

Cincinnati Bengals

Coach Marvin Lewis reportedly "doesn't expect to fully unleash" Joe Mixon in Week 5 against the Dolphins. Lewis reportedly noted there were limits for Mixon due to his conditioning taking a hit during the rehab process. Without backup Giovani Bernard (knee) Sunday, fourth-round rookie Mark Walton could shoulder a few more snaps than initially expected. "I think that was a little shock to [Walton's] system. Since he’s gotten an opportunity to suit up and play he’s really taken advantage," Lewis said. "We have a comfort level with him." Mixon will still undoubtedly out-carry Walton as he did with Bernard behind him in Week 1. Confidently consider him an RB2 against the Fins.

NFL Betting Trends

Miami

The Dolphins are 1-6 against the spread in their last seven road games and 1-5-1 against the number in their last seven games coming off a loss.

Cincinnati

The Bengals have covered seven straight games when facing opponents from the AFC and are 5-1 against the number in their last six games overall.

Prediction

I think there’s an overreaction happening here with the Dolphins. Yes, Miami looked horrible in Foxborough last Sunday. But the Bengals have multiple offensive linemen out, lost tight end Tyler Eifert for the season, and Mixon isn’t 100% healthy yet. Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati offense was impressive last week in Atlanta but the Falcons have the most banged-up defense in the league. With Eifert out, Atlanta played better defensively in the second half before wilting at the finish line. The Bengals should win but I expect a major bounce back from the Dolphins.

 

NFL Week 5 Prediction: Miami Dolphins +6