Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings Preseason NFL Picks & Parlay 8/31/2017

Thursday, August 31, 2017

U.S. Bank Stadium

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

The Minnesota Vikings host the Miami Dolphins at U.S. Bank Stadium on Thursday, August 31, 2017. The opening line for this game has Minnesota as 3.5 point favorites. The over/under has been set at 38. The Vikings had an over/under record of 7-9-0 and they were 9-7-0 against the spread last year. The Dolphins had an ATS record of 9-7-1 while their over/under record was 12-5-0.

Valuable Miami Dolphins Betting Trends

The Miami Dolphins were 12-5-0 against the over/under last season

The Miami Dolphins were 9-7-1 against the spread last year

Important Minnesota Vikings Betting Trends

The Minnesota Vikings were 7-9-0 against the over/under last season

The Minnesota Vikings were 9-7-0 against the spread last year

Key Miami Dolphins Injuries

08/15/17 CB Tony Lippett Achilles out for season
08/06/17 S T.J. McDonald Suspension 8-game suspension (eligible to return 11/05 vs Oakland)
08/04/17 QB Ryan Tannehill Knee IR

Key Minnesota Vikings Injuries

08/28/17 WR Michael Floyd Suspension 4-game suspension (eligible to return 10/9 vs. Chicago)
08/28/17 DT Sharrif Floyd Knee doubtful Monday vs. New Orleans
07/30/17 QB Teddy Bridgewater Knee PUP

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Miami Dolphins ran for 1,824 yards as a team last year, which ranked 9th in the NFL. They ran 406 times, averaging 4.5 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Dolphins were penalized on offense 125 times for 1,142 yards last season, which had them 4th in the league in penalties. They were 17th in the NFL in points scored with 363. They ran 913 plays last season for 5,324 yards, which ranked them 24th in the league in total offense. The Dolphins averaged 5.8 yards per play, which was 7th in the National Football League. As a team they accumulated a total of 278 1st downs last year, placing them 31st overall as an offensive unit. Jay Cutler averaged 7.7 yards per pass attempt and 13.1 yards per completion last season. He completed 81 passes on 137 attempts for a completion percentage of 59.1%. His QBR last year was 33.2 while is quarterback rating was 78.1. He threw for 1,059 yards.

Defensive Statistics

The Dolphins rush defense allowed 464 attempts for 2,247 yards last year, putting them in 30th place in the league against the run. Miami committed 109 penalties for 919 yards on the defensive side of the ball last season. That ranked them 13th in the NFL. They gave up a score on 35.1% of possessions on defense, which was 15th in the league. They were 18th in the league in points allowed on defense with 380. They surrendered a total of 6,122 yards on D, which was 29th in the NFL. The Dolphins were ranked 19th in yards per play allowed with 5.6. Their pass defense gave up 6.2 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 11th in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses completed 368 passes on 591 attempts against the Miami Dolphins defense last season, placing them 18th and 24th in the National Football League. The Miami pass defense also gave up a total of 3,875 yards through the air, which was 15th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Miami Dolphins attempted 21 field goals last season and made 16, which was 32nd in the National Football League. Their kickers had a field goal percentage of 76.2%. Miami Dolphins kickers made 98% of their extra points, going 41 for 42 last year. Their punters totaled 3,991 yards on 90 punts, averaging 36 yards per punt. That placed them 23rd in the NFL in punting average. Miami was ranked 11th in the league in punt returns last season with 36. They accumulated 328 punt return yards and averaged 9.1 yards per return, which was 13th in the NFL. Their longest punt return last year was 74 yards. They returned 36 kicks for 879 yards on special teams, ranking 9th in kick return yardage. The Dolphins averaged 24.4 yards per kick return and had a long of 96 yards last year. They were 19th in the league in all-purpose yards with 6,747.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Minnesota Vikings were 23rd in the National Football League in points scored with 327 last year. They ran 1,006 plays for 5,041 yards, which ranked them 28th in the NFL in total offense. The Vikings averaged 5 yards per play, which was 29th in the league. As a team they accumulated a total of 303 1st downs last season, ranking them 25th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Minnesota ran for 1,205 yards as a unit, which ranked 32nd in the league. They ran 380 times, averaging 3.2 yards per rush as a unit. The Vikings were penalized on offense 103 times for 882 yards last year, which had them 22nd in the NFL in penalties. Sam Bradford passed for 3,877 yards last year. He completed 395 throws while attempting 552 passes for a completion percentage of 71.6%. His quarterback rating last season was 99.3 and his QBR was 59.0. He averaged 9.8 yards per completion and 7.0 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

Minnesota was 6th in the NFL in points surrendered on defense last year with 307. They gave up a total of 5,038 yards on D, which was 3rd in the league. The Vikings were 7th in yards per play allowed with 5.1. Their pass defense allowed 5.6 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 2nd in the National Football League. Opponent offenses completed 332 throws on 548 attempts against the Minnesota defense last season, ranking them 7th and 10th in the league. The Minnesota Vikings pass defense also surrendered a total of 3,327 yards in the air, which was 3rd overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense gave up 404 attempts for 1,711 yards last season, putting them in 20th place in the NFL against the run. The Vikings had 99 penalties for 825 yards on defense last year. That placed them 5th in the league. They allowed a score on 33.3% of possessions on defense, which was 10th in the NFL.

Special Teams Stats

Minnesota was 12th in the NFL in punt returns with 34 last year. They totaled 354 punt return yards and averaged 10.4 yards per return, which was 8th in the league. Their longest punt return last season was 79 yards. They returned 33 kicks for 902 yards on special teams, placing them 6th in kick return yardage. The Vikings averaged 27.3 yards per kick return and had a long of 104 yards last season. They were 24th in the National Football League in all-purpose yards with 6,580. The Minnesota Vikings tried 31 field goals last season and made 27, which was 19th in the league. Their kickers had a FG percentage of 87.1%. Minnesota kickers made 79% of their extra points, going 26 for 33 last season. Their punters accumulated 3,155 yards on 74 punts, averaging 34 yards per punt. That ranked them 30th in the NFL in punting average.

So what is Tonights Parlay prediction?

Parlays Pundit's Pick: Take the Dolphins +3.5 and under 38 total points

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