Minnesota Vikings vs. Miami Dolphins, 12/16/18 Week 15 Predictions

Vikings vs. Dolphins Spread Prediction

The Minnesota Vikings are trying to hold onto the final wild card spot in the NFC while the Miami Dolphins are attempting to fight into the AFC playoff picture. The two teams will meet Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET with the Vikings laying over a touchdown as the home favorite. Will they cover?

Game Snapshot

307 Miami Dolphins at 308 Minnesota Vikings

1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, December 16

U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Vikings are 7.5-point favorites to beat the Dolphins. The total, meanwhile, sits at 45 points. As of this writing, 60% of the public betting tickets are on the Dolphins to cover the point spread.

Miami Dolphins

Kenyan Drake (shoulder) wasn't listed on the Dolphins' final injury report for Week 15 against the Vikings. Drake was upgraded to full participation at Friday's practice. His status for Sunday's game was never in doubt. Still mired in a frustrating timeshare with Frank Gore, Drake won't be more than a last-ditch flex/RB3 play in a tough matchup with Minnesota.

Minnesota Vikings

Adam Thielen (ankle) is practicing in full for Week 15 against the Dolphins. He took a spill in Monday night's loss to Seattle but his presence at Wednesday's practice suggests it was nothing serious. Thielen has slumped recently, totaling a modest 98 yards on 10 catches over his last two contests. He'll be in a prime bounce-back spot Sunday against a Dolphins secondary that allowed big games to Josh Gordon and Julian Edelman last week.

NFL Betting Trends

Miami

The Dolphins are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games overall.

Minnesota

The Vikings have covered the spread in 11 of their last 13 home games when facing a team with a winning record. They’re also 35-15-1 ATS in their last 51 home games overall.

Prediction

The Dolphins are a hard team to back on the road. They’re 1-10 in their last 11 games away from South Beach and continue to be banged-up. Last Sunday, lost in the miracle win over the Patriots was that quarterback Ryan Tannehill hurt his ankle and was playing on one leg. While the Vikings are coming off a short week of practice having played on Monday night in Seattle, I also expect Mike Zimmer’s squad to be focused and angry. Hopefully, the new play-caller will also help the Vikings discover some form of a running game.

NFL Week 15 Prediction: Minnesota Vikings -7.5