Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings Week 15 NFL Picks & Predictions 12/16/2018

Sunday, December 16, 2018

U.S. Bank Stadium

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

The Miami Dolphins head to U.S. Bank Stadium to play the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, December 16, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota as 8 point favorites. The total has been set at 44.5.

The Dolphins are 8-5-0 against the spread and their over/under record is 6-7-0. The Vikings are 6-6-1 against the spread and their over/under mark is 5-8-0.

Valuable Miami Dolphins Betting Trends

The Miami Dolphins are 6-7-0 against the over/under

The Miami Dolphins are 8-5-0 against the spread

Important Minnesota Vikings Betting Trends

The Minnesota Vikings are 5-8-0 against the over/under

The Minnesota Vikings are 6-6-1 against the spread

Key Miami Dolphins Injuries

12/10/18 QB Ryan Tannehill Ankle is probable Sunday vs Minnesota
12/09/18 CB Xavien Howard Knee is questionable Sunday vs Minnesota
12/05/18 TE A.J. Derby Foot IR
11/24/18 WR Jakeem Grant Achilles IR
11/05/18 CB Cordrea Tankersley Knee IR
10/31/18 DT Vincent Taylor Foot IR
10/24/18 WR Albert Wilson Hip IR
10/17/18 LB Chase Allen Foot IR
10/03/18 C Daniel Kilgore Arm IR
09/24/18 DE William Hayes Knee IR
09/15/18 G Josh Sitton Shoulder IR
09/06/18 TE MarQueis Gray Achilles IR
09/04/18 C Jake Brendel Calf IR
09/04/18 LB Mike Hull Knee IR

Key Minnesota Vikings Injuries

12/11/18 WR Adam Thielen Ankle is probable Sunday vs Miami
12/10/18 CB Trae Waynes Concussion is questionable Sunday vs Miami
12/10/18 TE David Morgan Knee is questionable Sunday vs Miami
11/28/18 S Andrew Sendejo Groin IR
11/04/18 CB Mike Hughes ACL IR
09/10/18 T Aviante Collins Elbow IR
09/04/18 DE Ade Aruna Knee IR
09/04/18 T Cedrick Lang Leg IR
09/04/18 DE Hercules Mata'afa Knee IR
09/04/18 FB Johnny Stanton Leg IR
09/04/18 TE Josiah Price Knee IR
08/10/18 C Nick Easton Neck IR

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Miami Dolphins are 28th in the National Football League in points scored with 278. They have run 721 plays this year for 4,037 yards, which ranks them 25th in the NFL in total offense. The Dolphins average 5.6 yards per play, which is 22nd in the league. As a team they have accumulated a total of 212 1st downs this season, ranking them 25th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Miami has run for 1,421 yards as a unit, which ranks 29th in the league. They've run 308 times, averaging 4.6 yards per rush as a unit. The Dolphins have been penalized on offense 86 times for 799 yards so far this year, which has them 2nd in the NFL in penalties. Ryan Tannehill has passed for 1,578 yards this year. He's completed 132 throws while attempting 197 passes for a completion percentage of 67%. His quarterback rating this season is 105.7. He averages 12 yards per completion and 8 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

Miami is 29th in the NFL in points surrendered on defense with 333. They have given up a total of 5,207 yards on D, which is 16th in the league. The Dolphins are 21st in yards per play allowed with 6.2. Their pass defense has allowed 7.4 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 23rd in the National Football League. Opponent offenses have completed 287 throws on 437 attempts against the Miami Dolphins defense this season, ranking them 16th and 9th in the league. The Miami pass defense has also surrendered a total of 3,401 yards in the air, which is 16th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has given up 379 attempts for 1,806 yards this season, putting them in 14th place in the NFL against the run. The Dolphins have had 88 penalties for 690 yards on defense this year. That places them 30th in the league. They've allowed a score on 39.5% of possessions on defense, which is 23rd in the NFL.

Special Teams Stats

Miami is 9th in the NFL in punt returns with 22. They've totaled 264 punt return yards and are averaging 12 yards per return, which is 20th in the league. Their longest punt return this season is 71 yards. They have returned 28 kicks for 719 yards on special teams, placing them 7th in kick return yardage. The Dolphins average 25.7 yards per kick return and have a long of 102 yards this season. They are 22nd in the National Football League in all-purpose yards with 5,309. The Miami Dolphins have tried 17 field goals this season and made 16, which is 23rd in the league. Their kickers have a FG percentage of 94.1%. Miami Dolphins kickers have made 97% of their extra points, going 30 for 31 this season. Their punters have accumulated 3,081 yards on 70 punts, averaging 44 yards per punt. That ranks them 19th in the NFL in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Minnesota Vikings have run for 1,110 yards as a team, which ranks 7th in the NFL. They've run 274 times, averaging 4.1 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Vikings have been penalized on offense 72 times for 626 yards so far this season, which has them 22nd in the league in penalties. They are 10th in the NFL in points scored with 282. They have run 830 plays this season for 4,607 yards, which ranks them 11th in the league in total offense. The Vikings average 5.6 yards per play, which is 13th in the National Football League. As a team they have accumulated a total of 260 1st downs this year, placing them 6th overall as an offensive unit. Kirk Cousins averages 7.1 yards per pass attempt and 10 yards per completion. He has completed 370 passes on 524 attempts for a completion percentage of 70.6%. His quarterback rating is 98.4. He has thrown for 3,698 yards this season.

Defensive Statistics

The Vikings rush defense has allowed 360 attempts for 1,404 yards this year, putting them in 2nd place in the league against the run. Minnesota has committed 80 penalties for 628 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 20th in the NFL. They've given up a score on 35.4% of possessions on defense, which is 3rd in the league. They are 1st in the league in points allowed on defense with 291. They have surrendered a total of 4,207 yards on D, which is 1st in the NFL. The Minnesota Vikings are ranked 2nd in yards per play allowed with 5.2. Their pass defense has given up 6.3 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 2nd in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses have completed 263 passes on 410 attempts against the Minnesota defense this season, placing them 7th and 19th in the National Football League. The Vikings pass defense has also given up a total of 2,803 yards through the air, which is 2nd overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Minnesota Vikings have attempted 27 field goals this season and made 17, which is 9th in the National Football League. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 63.0%. Minnesota kickers have made 96% of their extra points, going 27 for 28 this year. Their punters have totaled 2,584 yards on 59 punts, averaging 43.8 yards per punt. That places them 32nd in the NFL in punting average. Minnesota is ranked 6th in the league in punt returns with 22. They've accumulated 187 punt return yards and average 8.5 yards per return, which is 7th in the NFL. Their longest punt return so far this year is 24 yards. They have returned 19 kicks for 464 yards on special teams, ranking 21st in kick return yardage. The Vikings average 24.4 yards per kick return and have a long of 46 yards this year. They are 8th in the league in all-purpose yards with 5,459.

Who will win tonight's Dolphins/Vikings NFL game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Vikings -8

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