NFL Week 7 Preview: Dolphins vs. Eagles Odds and Best Bets

Hey, did you know both the starting quarterbacks in this game played at Alabama? The “matchup” between Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts is a curious storyline, given that they will never be on the field at the same time.

But, we know enough to know how marketing works. So here we are. Another side note: the scheduling gods smiled upon the city of Philadelphia. Sunday is an off day in the National League Championship Series. If the series extends beyond five games, Phillies fans will have a day of rest on Sunday. And by rest, that means pregaming all day ahead of an Eagles prime-time home game.

Pace yourselves, friends. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

As for the game: giggity! So much firepower on both sides, including the best wide receiver in the game this season and speed to burn no matter who has the ball. This is the opposite of any Patriots game since 2019. This is perhaps the first best example of a potential Super Bowl preview. After a series of dud matchups for NBC, this is one that is worthy of waiting all day to watch.

The Miami Dolphins have shown that they do not need to dominate the time of possession in order to put up points. Miami has put up 498 yards of offense and 37.2 points per game so far this season, despite averaging only 29 minutes with the ball. That is a remarkable level of efficiency.

So why fade them here? Because Philadelphia loves to control the clock. They average nearly 35 minutes time of possession per game (one overtime drive slightly skews the average). They do it with a reliable, versatile running game that while not explosive, works like Novocain. And when all else fails, play the hits.

Don’t like it? Stop it. The Eagles average 150 yards rushing. Miami is 20^th in rushing yards allowed. This will keep Miami’s offense off the field enough so that they will not be able to light it up.

The over-under on this game is 52. So we expect to see quite a bit of offense Sunday night. One thing that has happened more frequently in these types of games is for a team to try a two-point conversion early on. Consider this the NFL’s version of the “Oregon Trail”–without the dysentery.

Look for this especially if the Eagles score first. For the purposes of this column, we will treat this like any normal bet, but maybe just put a sprinkle on this if you bet it in real life.

Every so often, we see a game between a team that is more used to success versus a team that is trying to emerge into the upper crust of the league. The Chiefs have had these games. The Patriots have had these games (if you’re old enough to remember when the Patriots used to be good). There is no official title for this type of game, but you can call them a “You’re not one of us” game.

The challenger goes on the road to the more proven team and leaves in a heap. While the Eagles are hardly the Chiefs in terms of longevity, they are the reigning NFC Champions, and they are still quite dangerous despite whatever that was last Sunday at MetLife.

One other factor, and one we have not mentioned much in these columns so far this year. Temperatures in Philadelphia are expected to be in the low-40s Sunday night, with some significant winds. That favors a more conservative game plan, which suits the Eagles more than it does Miami. The Dolphins can run, and they can run the ball. But the Eagles’ staunch run defense will be up to the task at home, at night, in the elements and among a throng of Philly Phanatics enjoying their “day off.”

While you get ready for Week 7, Sidelines has you covered. Check out our top-five picks for the seventh week of the NFL season along with prop bets to consider.