NFL
Intriguing Game of the Day
Miami
Dolphins @ Baltimore Ravens
Bias+
Score: 0 favors Tie
This
is my first ‘Intriguing…’ blog of the 2022 season. Week 1 has no points to
differentiate so that’s my excuse and I’m sticking with it. However, week 2 is
going to set the stage for the rest of the 18-week season. It starts with an
uncommon occurrence, a Bias+ Tie.
Informally,
I think there are maybe a handful of ties in any one season. I don’t remember
any this early but it couldn’t happen to two more ‘Intriguing Teams’ Both teams
have been making quarterback headlines and are somewhat at crossroads in their
QB decisions. Let’s start with the team that is also sporting a new Head Coach
and some spiffy new offensive threats, the Miami Dolphins.
In
game 1, Miami took down a New England Patriot team that has people talking
about whether it’s time for the great Belichick to retire. His offensive coordinator
decisions are questionable and so is the Patriot offense. The Dolphins allowed
just 7 points but this was not their best test. Offensively, their top spiffy
weapon Tyreek Hill was their top receiver by yardage but the splash TD belonged
to Jaylen Waddle. With some turnover help and a couple field goals the Dolphins
put up 20 points. Speaking of turnover help, the Dolphins had 3 takeaways &
no giveaways for a Turnover Differential of 3.
The
Baltimore Ravens entered the season having been told by their Human Highlight
Lamar Jackson that contract negotiations have to stop with the start of the
season. He then opened up with a win over the New York Jets led by backup former Raven Joe Flacco since starter Zack Wilson is injured. Like with the
Dolphins, this was also not the Ravens best defensive test especially since the
Jets thought it was a good idea to have Flacco throw the ball 59 times. They
held the Jets to 9 points while Lamar tossed 3 TDs enroute to a 24 9 victory
featuring one takeaway and no giveaways for a Turnover Differential of +1.
So
how do we wind up with a tie? Baltimore comes into week 2 with +15 Net Points
and +1 Turnover Differential. Miami has +13 Net Points and +3 Turnover Differential
so simple addition is a Bias+ score for both teams of 16 and alas our tie.
Bottom
line, with my official designation of the first 3 games of the regular season as
the 2nd Preseason since the starters are just getting to play
together in live fire, it’s the defense that you (the proverbial) would hope
that the defense would gel quickly. At least the Dolphins faced a starter last
week but Lamar is a whole different challenge. The Dolphins present a challenge
that is new and refreshed with Former Niners offensive coordinator now head
coach Mike McDaniel. His use of the team speed and the big play capability on
short passes will test the Ravens metal. ESPN betting odds has the Ravens as
3.5 favorites which somewhat vindicates the Bias+ report of a close game. Enjoy!
Barry Sterling Mitchell
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