The task for the Miami Dolphins (9-8) just got more difficult as starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion protocol) has been ruled out against the Buffalo Bills (13-3) in an NFL Wild Card Weekend playoff game Sunday between AFC East Division rivals.
It gets worse for Miami, in the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Backup QB Teddy Bridgewater did not play in the regular-season finale (broken pinkie on throwing hand), and the Dolphins said rookie Skylar Thompson will start against the Bills.
As a result, the Bills moved from a 9.5 point favorite to 13.5 at FOX Bet. Buffalo’s moneyline odds went from -500 to -769 (bet $10 to win $11.30 total) while Miami’s went from +300 to +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total). The total Over/Under went to 43.5 combined points scored from 47.5.
The Dolphins lead the all-time series 62-55-1, but the Bills have won eight of the past nine. The teams split in the regular season, with Miami winning 21-19 on Sept. 25 and Buffalo winning 32-29 on Dec. 17.
Here’s everything you need from a betting perspective on the Dolphins-Bills game, from the point spread, moneyline, total Over/Under and expert pick (odds via FOX Bet):
Anonymous AFC player calls Joe Burrow the league’s best fourth-quarter QB
Joe Burrow is the best fourth-quarter quarterback in the NFL, according to an anonymous player
RELATED: Latest Super Bowl odds
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills (1: 05 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS)
Point spread: Bills -13.5 (Bills favored to win by more than 13.5 points, otherwise Dolphins cover)
Moneyline: Bills -769 favorites to win (bet $10 to win $11.30 total); Dolphins +500 underdogs to win (bet $10 to win $60 total)
Total scoring Over/Under: 43.5 points scored by both teams combined
Pick via FOX Sports Betting Analyst Jason McIntyre:
When the Bills hosted the Dolphins just a few weeks ago, Buffalo was -7. That was against Tua Tagovailoa on the third game of a three-game road trip. The market is telling you that Tua will not being playing and (hopefully?) Teddy Bridgewater will be under center. If it’s Skylar Thompson, the Dolphins can forget it.
Bridgewater may offer some hope, but he’s appeared significantly in three games this season, with losses as a starter against Minnesota and New England, and he was shaky in relief in Cincinnati.
Oddly enough, the last time Miami made the playoffs, was in January 2016 when Ryan Tannehill got them there, but was injured, and Matt Moore started. The Dolphins lost, 30-12.
Since 2002, quarterbacks making their first NFL playoff start have gone 17-37-1 against the spread and 18-37 straight up.
Temperatures are expected to be in the high 20s or low 30s Sunday, and there’s no precipitation in the forecast. Josh Allen was tied for second in the NFL with 14 interceptions, and has not looked particularly sharp since the elbow injury. But can Miami’s defense put up much resistance?
PICK: Bills (-9 at FOX Bet at time of pick) to win by more than 9 points
Are you ready to make an NFL bet? If so, head over to FOX Bet for all your wagers.
Top stories from FOX Sports:
Download the FOX Super 6 app for your chance to win thousands of dollars on the biggest sporting events each and every week! Just make your picks and you could win the grand prize. Download and play today!
Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more