NFL Week 4 over/under best bets: Dolphins' offense still M.I.A.
We're back to highlight some of the best bets on the over/under. Last week, we went 3-0 with some help from superb - and subpar - performances from backup quarterbacks.
Here are our best bets on totals for Week 4:
Los Angeles Chargers at Miami Dolphins
Total: 44.5
Early action has pushed this total down from an opening 45, likely due to the Dolphins' horrific offense. Miami has scored one touchdown in three blowout losses this season and mustered just six points in Josh Rosen's debut.
For as futile as the Dolphins' offense is, their defense allowed 31 points last week as Dallas pounded the rock with two 100-yard rushers. In comes the Chargers' two-headed rushing attack of Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson, which should limit possessions in what will likely be an easy win for the 16-point road favorites.
Since 2012, the under is a stunning 25-4 (86.2%) in games featuring a road favorite of 10 points or higher. Expect the Bolts to build an early lead, milk the clock, and try to get out of Miami without any key injuries.
Pick: Under
Washington Redskins at New York Giants
Total: 48
The NFC's two worst defenses meet in a game that immediately caught the attention of sharps, who bet the total up from 46 to as high as 49.5 at some shops. The Giants and Redskins both rank among the bottom-five defenses, per Pro Football Focus, and each offense has shown enough to take advantage of the opposition.
The Giants rank No. 32 in PFF's pass rush and coverage grades, with a pitiful early-season showing from corners Janoris Jenkins and Deandre Baker. Redskins rookie Terry McLaurin looks like a rising star and could give New York's secondary fits. On the other side, Daniel Jones' strong debut is promising against a Washington defense that turned Mitchell Trubisky into a star Monday night.
When two NFC East teams clash with a three-point line, the over is riding an 8-0 run, including the last meeting between these two teams. Offense has ruled in this division when near-equals face off and should continue to do so this week.
Pick: Over
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills
Total: 42.5
While two of the league's worst defenses collide in the Meadowlands, two elite defensive units match wits in Buffalo, where both teams could each struggle to find green grass against two of the top-five scoring defenses through three weeks.
New England has played a paltry slate of meager offenses but is only allowing 5.7 points per game, while Buffalo (15.7 points per game) has relied on its stifling secondary en route to a 3-0 start. The elite cornerbacks in Sunday's matchup should lead to a run-heavy approach from both sides, which is music to under bettors' ears.
The Pats are riding an 11-3-1 under streak dating back to last year, and the Bills have gone under in all three games this year and five of their last six. Both contests between these two went under in 2018; another under is brewing here.
Pick: Under
C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.