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San Francisco 49ers at Miami Dolphins Week 15 NFL Lines & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

Oh what a difference a year can make. Or should I say, oh what a difference Bills Parcels can make. The Miami Dolphins are 8-5 and in a three-way tie with the New York Jets and the New England Patriots for first place in the AFC East. It has been nothing short of a miraculous turnaround following a 1-15 season in 2007. NFL odds makers are confident that the Dolphins will get their ninth win of the season in Week 15 as they face the 5-8 San Francisco 49ers. The Dolphins are 6.5-point favorites with the total set at 41.5.

Miami is coming off a dominant 16-3 win over division rival Buffalo Sunday. It was the Dolphins sixth win in their last seven games. It was perhaps the best the defense had looked all season, limiting the Bills to a season-low 163 yards. Miami has not allowed a touchdown in its last eight quarters. Miami Dolphins NFL betting backers have not been raking it in this season however, as the Phins are just 6-7 ATS on the season and just 2-5 ATS at home.

A major key for the Dolphins this week, just as it has been throughout their run, will be the play of QB Chad Pennington. The New York Jets cast off has his team in position to send his former team home at the end of the season and I’m sure he’d like nothing more than to do just that. Pennington was an efficient 23 of 29 for 181 yards last week and moved over the 3,000 passing yards mark for the third time in his career. He has quickly made rookie wide receiver Davone Bess his go-to-guy. Bess had a career-high nine grabs for 74 yards against the Bills. Like all teams influenced by Bill Parcels, running the football has been a big part of the turnaround. The combo package of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams gained 110 yards on 27 carries for a 4.0 average last week. And I can’t say enough about the defense. Many thought Parcels was out of his mind when he wanted to part ways with perennial Pro Bowler Jason Taylor but who is laughing now? Outside linebacker Joey Porter has thrived under the new system with 16.5 sacks on the season. If you like Miami to continue to roll, bet the Dolphins at -6.5 at BetUS and receive up to a 50% sign up bonus.

The 49ers should not be taken lightly this week. San Francisco has quietly won three of its last four games straight up and four of its last five against the spread. Last week’s 24-14 win over a New York Jets team that beat Miami in the first week of the season surely got its attention. The 49ers were dominant on defense in the win, holding future Hall of Famer Brett Favre to a season-low 137 yards passing and putting the clamps on the running game as well with the Jets gaining just 59 yards on the ground.

Offensively, the 49ers put the ball in the hands of QB Shaun Hill and he delivered. He completed 28 of 39 passes for 285 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. While the run game was not nearly as effective, rushing 33 times for 100 yards, it helped the 49ers control the ball for nearly 40 minutes and also kept the Jets honest to set up numerous play action opportunities. Running back Frank Gore is having another strong season but did leave in the second half with an ankle sprain. One thing we haven’t been able to compliment in San Francisco for a while is the coaching, but interim head man Mike Singletary deserves a pat on the back. His passion for the game is showing through in his players in recent weeks and he seems to have a strong relationship with offensive coordinator Mike Martz. If you think San Francisco can pull off another upset against an AFC East team, bet the 49ers at BetUS.

Pick up Jimmy Boyd’s top NFL picks this week for guaranteed results on the pro gridiron.

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