Can the Miami Dolphins Remain Undefeated with a Week 3 Win Over the Broncos?

Dan Favale
By , Updated on: Sep 19, 2023 12:00 AM
It’s time to take the Miami Dolphins seriously.

Have you added the Miami Dolphins to your list of teams worthy of betting to win the Super Bowl this season? Because if you haven’t, you probably should.

Healthy skepticism, of course, is always okay. Maybe you need more evidence that they’re not just good but dominant. And you might be about to get it. The Dolphins take on the Denver Browns in Week 3 on Sunday, September 24, at 1:00 p.m. eastern standard time, on the field at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida

As you can tell from the latest online NFL betting odds, linemakers do not expect the Dolphins to drop their first home game of the season:

FavoriteBetUSBetUSUnderdog
Miam Dolphins-295+240Denver Broncos

Please remember to double-check these NFL online betting odds until you actually submit your wager. Our Dolphins vs. Broncos odds are accurate entering Tuesday, September 19. The best online NFL betting sites will keep making line adjustments right up until opening kickoff on Sunday afternoon.

On the bright side, this isn’t a game in which we’re bracing for any major changes. Each team’s key players have go-ahead statuses, and neither squad is working off a short week. 

The bigger question: Was the Broncos’ offensive detonation in Week 2 for real, and can the Dolphins adequately defend them if it was? Or did Denver just deliver a one-off performance? Find the answer below, as we go through our best bets for Broncos vs. Dolphins.

Is It Too Early to Trust the Denver Broncos Offense Against the Miami Dolphins?

Most were down on Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson entering the 2023 NFL season. Heck, we were among his doubters. But he delivered a potent outing in last week’s win over the Washington Commanders. Wilson threw for just over 320 yards and two touchdowns while leading the charge on the ground for Denver with a team-leading 56 rushing yards. His mobility looked good, albeit not on part with Prime Russell Wilson.

This could be a problem for the Dolphins. Their defense is suspect almost top to bottom. But they have struggled so far to contain the ground game. Miami is 28 in rushing touchdowns allowed as well as 27th in net yards surrendered per rushing attempt. They will have to be more disciplined at every level in Week 3 when going up against Wilson. We’re not just talking about their front seven, either. The secondary will need to be ready on help sides if Wilson starts scrambling.

And yet, none of this is enough to dissuade us from picking the Dolphins to beat the Broncos and go 3-0 to open the season. Pretty much everyone should understand just how dangerous their offense has become. The Dolphins have totaled 60 points through the first three weeks and might have the most dangerous passing attack in the entire NFL. Thanks to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, Miami currently ranks first in net yards per passing attempt.

As it just so happens, this is where Denver’s defense has struggled the most to open up the schedule. The Broncos rank 28th in net yards allowed per passing attempt through their first two games. And mind you, they haven’t had to face an elite offense so far. Their first two outings came against the Las Vegas Raiders and then the Commanders, neither of whom are starting a star like Tagovailoa under center. 

If we’re being brutally honest, we’re actually downright shocked that Miami isn’t favored by more. This is an easy pick in the end for us.

OSB Prediction: Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins To beat the Denver Broncos
BetUS
-295

Will This Be a Comfortable Victory for Miami, or Can Denver Keep Things Close?

Betting on the Dolphins vs. Broncos point spread is more of a challenge for us. You can see why when you look at the latest betting lines below:

  • Miami Dolphins, -6.5 (-110)
  • Denver Broncos, +6.5 (-110)

As impressive as Miami’s offense has been this season, their margin of victory isn’t exactly through the roof. The Dolphins’ first two wins have come by a combined 10 points.

However, that stat is missing important context. First and foremost, both of Miami’s opening games were on the road. They deserve to be commended for remaining undefeated under those circumstances.

Furthermore, the Dolphins just ran through the New England Patriots’ vaunted defense as well as a Los Angeles Chargers offense that hung 34 points on them. Denver isn’t nearly as lethal on either side of the ball. 

So, with all of this in mind, a 6.5-point spread doesn’t seem that ambitious…at all.

OSB Prediction: Miami Dolphins, –6.5 (-110)

Miami Dolphins To cover the point spread against the Denver Broncos
BetUS
-110

Good Luck Predicting the Over/Under for Dolphins vs. Broncos in Week 3

True to form, the latest NFL over/under betting odds for Broncos vs. Dolphins are ridiculously tough to parse:

  • Over 48.5 (-110)
  • Under 48.5 (-110)

Point totals will always be more aggressive for high-octane offenses like Miami’s attack. That can be damaging for their “over” clearance. 

Then again, the Broncos just topped 30 points, mostly thanks to the work they did through the air. This game could turn into a shootout. 

We don’t think it’ll quite get there. And it has nothing to do with Miami. The Broncos offense from Week 2 feels like a mirage. If they clear 24 points again, we’ll recalibrate. For now, we’re taking the “under.”

OSB Prediction: Under 48.5 (-110)

Broncos and Dolphins To score under 48.5 combined points
BetUS
-110

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Meet the author

Dan Favale

Dan first began writing about sports back in 2011. At the time, his expertise lied in the NBA and NFL. More than one decade, that remains the case. But he's also expanded his catalog to include extensive knowledge and analysis on the NHL, MLB, tennis, NASCAR, college ba...

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