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Odds of Dolphins Going 0-16 Worsen After Miami Shows Signs of Life with Rosen; Patriots Given Same Odds to Be 16-0

Daniel Coyle

by Daniel Coyle in NFL Football

Updated Apr 9, 2020 · 10:49 AM PDT

Dolphins QB Josh Rosen
Could new Miami QB Josh Rosen throw a wrench into the team's "plans" to tank the 2019 season? Photo by Instragram user @Josh3Rosen (Twitter).
  • The 0-3 Miami Dolphins have +400 odds to go 0-16 this season
  • Dolphins second year quarterback Josh Rosen has shown steady improvement despite the team’s dismal results
  • A favorable schedule has lifted the New England Patriots to a short +1400 bet to go a perfect 16-0 in 2019

It has been a dismal start to the 2019 NFL season for the Miami Dolphins. The team is coming off a third demoralizing loss in as many outings, falling 31-6 to the Dallas Cowboys as massive 22-point road underdogs on Sunday.

While the Dolphins have managed to score just one total touchdown through the first three weeks of the season, things are looking up for the squad according to oddsmakers. Their odds of avoiding a “perfect” 0-16 season actually got longer after losing in Week 3, currently sitting at +400. They were +350 at last check.

Odds Miami Dolphins Go 0-16 in 2019 NFL Season

“Yes” Odds “No” Odds
+400 -700

*Odds as of 25/09/19.

Dolphins Outclassed in 0-3 Start

Miami opened the season with a stunning 59-10 loss to Baltimore. With Josh Rosen taking over under center from veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick, things got no better in Week 2, as the Dolphins suffered another humbling defeat, this time falling 43-0 to the division rival New England Patriots.

YouTube video

Dolphins’ fans looking for a silver lining may have found it last weekend in Dallas. After going 7-for-18 for just 97 yards and one interception in relief of a beleaguered Fitzpatrick against New England, Rosen looked far more comfortable last weekend against the Cowboys, connecting on 18 of 39 attempts for 200 yards.

Rosen Showing Signs of Life

The steady performance in a losing cause is a welcome occurrence for Rosen, who put up modest numbers as a rookie on a bad Cardinals before being shipped to Miami in the offseason. It’s his improvement that has led to the Dolphins’ improvement in the latest odds.

The former Freshman All-American has handled the struggle of playing for bad teams reasonably well. Rosen avoided getting intercepted against Dallas after tossing picks in each of his two brief appearances in Weeks 1 and 2. He also led the Dolphins on a trio of lengthy first-half drives in Dallas that deserved better results than the six total points they produced.

But will Rosen’s continued development be enough to keep the Dolphins from finishing 0-16?

Opportunity Knocks in Clashes with Redskins, Jets, Bengals

The Dolphins’ first reasonable chance to get in the win column comes immediately following their bye in Week 6, when they visit the struggling Washington Redskins. The Dolphins have won three of six coming out of a bye week, while staying within a field goal of their opponents in each of those three losses. They have also won six of the last nine against the winless Redskins, though that history dates back longer than is relevant.

Miami has been largely dominant against the Jets, as well, winning five of the last six. New York is also winless on the season after an embarrassing 30-14 loss in New England this past weekend, though will likely have starting QB Sam Darnold back by the time they face Miami in Week 9.

The Dolphins’ first reasonable chance to get in the win column comes immediately following their bye in Week 6, when they visit the struggling Washington Redskins.

If they don’t pick up a win in their first 15 games, the Dolphins will host the Bengals in Week 16, i.e. the team that’s second-last in DVOA through three weeks (only ahead of Miami). The Bengals threatened to upset the Buffalo Bills on Sunday before falling 21-17, and are now winless in seven straight road dates.

Pick Dolphins to NOT go 0-16 this season (-700)

Odds New England Patriots Go 16-0 in 2019 NFL Season

“Yes” Odds “No” Odds
+400 -700

Patriots Poised for Second Perfect Season?

While the Dolphins still have ample opportunity to avoid a winless season, the Patriots have emerged as a strong candidate to avoid defeat, sporting +400 odds of going 16-0 for the second time in franchise history.

That marks a dramatic climb for New England, which was a lengthy +800 bet just a week ago.

The Patriots have surrendered just 17 total points in three spectacular wins, strengthening their position as +375 favorites in the Super Bowl 54 odds.

New England’s three victories have come against inferior opponents, and apart from Sunday’s date in Buffalo, that trend that carries over into October, which features dates with the Redskins, Jets, and Giants.

Competition Stiffens in Second Half

New England will face a tougher schedule in the second half, though, including a five-week stretch that features clashes with Baltimore, Philadelphia, Dallas, Houston, and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Assuming the Patriots stay healthy and Tom Brady maintains the steady form that has generated over 300 passing yards per game and seven touchdown passes to date, each of those contests are winnable for the defending Super Bowl champions.

However, with the memory of the Patriots’ undefeated march to Super Bowl XLII, where they suffered a stunning 17-14 loss to the Giants, playoff success is far higher priority than a perfect season. But with that said, one look at New England’s schedule makes those +400 odds of a 16-0 campaign too attractive to resist.

Pick: Patriots to go 16-0 in 2019 (+400)

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