Sunday, January 8, 2017

Heinz Field

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The Miami Dolphins take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, January 8, 2017 at Heinz Field in an AFC Wild Card game. The opening line for this game has Pittsburgh as 7.5 point favorites and the over/under was set at 47.5. The Dolphins are 9-6-1 against the spread and their over/under record is 12-4-0. The Steelers have an over/under record of 6-10-0 and they are 9-7-0 against the spread.

Matt Moore finished with 205 yards through the air for Miami last week. He completed 24 passes out of 34 attempts for a 71% completion percentage. The Dolphins were led in rushing by Jay Ajayi, who finished with 59 yards on 16 rushes. He ended the contest with an average of 4 yards per carry. Jarvis Landry was the team leader in receiving with a total of 76 yards and 9 receptions. He finished the game with an average of 8 yards per reception. As a team in that game Miami got a total of 16 first downs. Of those first downs, 3 came on the ground while 13 came through the air. They ran 57 total plays for 280 yards for the game. The Dolphins ran for 75 yards on 23 attempts.

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Landry Jones finished with 277 yards passing for Pittsburgh last week. He went 24 for 37, resulting in a 65% completion percentage. The Steelers were led on the ground by DeAngelo Williams, who finished with 67 yards on 23 carries. He ended the game with an average of 3 yards per rush. Eli Rogers led the team in receiving with 61 yards and 6 catches. He finished the game with an average of 10 yards per reception. Pittsburgh had 21 first downs total. 5 came from running the ball and 15 came from a pass. They ran 69 total plays for 312 yards for the contest. The Steelers ran for 69 yards on 28 carries as a team.

Miami scores 23 points per game on offense this season, which ranks 17th in the NFL. In the passing department, they average 20 passes on 30 attempts for a 67% completion percentage this season. They throw for a total of 219 yards per game through the air as well, which ranks them 26th in the league. The Dolphins run for an average of 114 yards per game on 25 attempts for an average of 4.6 yards per carry. That ranks them 9th in the league. They also run 57 plays per contest and average 5.8 yards per play for an average of 333 yards per game, ranking their offense 24th overall this season. The Dolphins average 17 first downs per game which ranks them 30th in the NFL. They accumulate 71.4 penalty yards per game via 7.8 penalties, which ranks 6th in the league.

Miami allows 242 passing yards per game, ranking 15th, and they allow 24 points per contest on defense, which ranks 18th. They give up 23 completions on 37 attempts per game for a completion percentage of 62%. The Dolphins allow 140 rushing yards per game on 29 carries for an average of 4.8 yards per carry, which ranks their rush defense 30th in the NFL. Miami allows 383 total yards per game including 5.6 yards per play, which ranks their overall defense 29th in terms of yards per game. They get flagged for 6.8 penalties for 57.4 yards per game, ranking them 19th among NFL teams.

Pittsburgh averages 25 points per game this season on offense, which ranks them 10th in the league. In the passing department, they complete 24 passes per game on 37 attempts for a 65% completion percentage. They throw for 263 yards through the air per game, ranking them 8th. The Steelers run for an average of 110 yards per game on 26 attempts for an average of 4.2 yards per carry this season, which ranks them 13th on the ground. They also run 64 plays per game and average 5.8 yards per play for a total of 373 yards per game, ranking them 7th in the league on offense. The Steelers get an average of 21 first downs per game, which ranks 9th. They average 66.8 penalty yards per game via 7 penalties, ranking them 3rd in the NFL.

Pittsburgh allows an average of 243 passing yards per game, which ranks 16th in the league. Their defense overall allows 20 points per contest, which has them ranked 10th. They give up 24 completions on 37 attempts for a completion percentage of 65% per game. The Steelers allow 100 rushing yards per contest on 23 carries for a 4.3 average per rush, ranking their overall rush defense 12th in the NFL. Pittsburgh allows 343 total yards per game for an average of 5.5 yards per play, which ranks 12th in the league. They force 6.8 penalties for 57.5 yards in each contest, ranking 16th.

Miami Betting Trends

Miami is 12-4-0 against the over/under this season

Miami has an ATS record of 9-6-1 this season

Pittsburgh Betting Trends

Pittsburgh is 6-10-0 against the over/under this season

Pittsburgh has an ATS record of 9-7-0 this season

Injuries to Watch

Miami

12/28/16 S Isa Abdul-Quddus Neck IR
12/14/16 DE Dion Jordan Knee IR
12/13/16 C Mike Pouncey Hip IR
12/12/16 QB Ryan Tannehill Knee out indefinitely
11/05/16 TE Jordan Cameron Concussion IR
10/24/16 RB Arian Foster Retired IR
10/19/16 S Reshad Jones Rotator Cuff IR
10/12/16 LB Koa Misi Neck IR
01/02/17 CB Byron Maxwell Ankle "?" Sunday vs. Pittsburgh
01/02/17 LB Jelani Jenkins Knee "?" Sunday vs. Pittsburgh
01/02/17 DE Mario Williams Ankle "?" Sunday vs. Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh

12/28/16 S Shamarko Thomas Knee IR
11/19/16 DE Cameron Heyward Pectoral IR
11/19/16 WR Markus Wheaton Shoulder IR
11/15/16 LB Steven Johnson Ankle IR
11/08/16 C Cody Wallace Knee IR
10/08/16 T Ryan Harris Shin IR
10/08/16 CB Senquez Golson Foot IR
08/17/16 QB Bruce Gradkowski Hamstring IR
08/11/16 WR Martavis Bryant Suspension out for season
01/02/17 LB Anthony Chickillo Ankle "?" Sunday vs. Miami
01/02/17 TE Ladarius Green Concussion "?" Sunday vs. Miami
01/02/17 DE Stephon Tuitt Knee probable Sunday vs. Miami
01/02/17 DE Ricardo Mathews Ankle "?" Sunday vs. Miami
01/02/17 S Robert Golden Ankle "?" Sunday vs. Miami

Tony's Pick: Take Pittsburgh -7.5

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