Monday Night Football Betting Odds: Saints And Dolphins Perfect
Monday Night Football over the years has provided some top match-ups by coincidence, and tonight is one of those nights. When the NFL made their schedule for this season, it is not likely that officials predicted two teams with perfect records meeting in week four on Monday Night Football, but that is exactly what has unfolded.
The New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins have both had some tough games through the first three weeks of the 2013-14 season, and each has had to use a last minute comeback to stay undefeated. Despite the tight games, the Saints and Dolphins come into Monday night as two of the best teams in the league.
"It is not often that the NFL gets a premiere game like this on Monday night," said analyst Walter Hashnet. "They always try to match top talent in their premiere game, but it doesn't always work out as planned. In this instance, they got it right with the top game of the week."
The Saints are coming off a disappointing season in which they failed to make the playoffs and had their head coach, Sean Payton, watching from the press box. Peyton was suspended for his role in the bounty scandal that rocked New Orleans and former defensive coordinator Greg Williams before last season.
New Orleans has rebounded nicely, winning their first three games behind the leadership of veteran star quarterback Drew Brees. New Orleans has also shown something not seen in Louisiana the past few years, a top-ranked defensive unit.
Miami comes into the game undefeated, and as one of the big surprises of the young season. The Dolphins spent millions of dollars this off-season to attract some of the biggest free agents on the market, and the move appears to have paid off. Mike Wallace was wrestled away from the Steelers, and the Dolphins brought in several big name defensive players.
The true test of whether the Dolphins can compete for a division title will come when Miami plays divisional rival New England. The Patriots have been the class of the AFC East for the better part of a decade, and with the Jets and Buffalo struggling, the Dolphins could be the only team standing in the way of the Patriots continued dominance.
Gamblers are at a crossroads with Miami, as they enter tonight's showdown in New Orleans. The Dolphins come into the game as seven point underdogs. The total is 49, suggesting that a shootout could be in the works.
The winner of tonight's game will join Seattle, Denver, Kansas City, and New England as the only undefeated teams in the league.