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With aspirations of a third Super Bowl trip in four years, the Seattle Seahawks begin their 2016 campaign at home against the new-look Miami Dolphins.
Here’s a complete look at all the betting info you need to know, as well as a prediction for the outcome of the Week 1 battle:
Dolphins vs. Seahawks Week 1 Betting Info
Note: All odds and numbers courtesy of OddsShark.com and are updated as of September 10
Spread: SEA (-10)
Betting Percentages: 51 percent on SEA (-10)
Over/Under: 44.5
Betting Percentages: 59 percent on Over 44.5
Prediction
Which Seahawks offense will we see?
The one that spun its wheels through the first half of last season, averaging 20.88 points per game en route to a 4-4 record? Or the one after the bye, which piled up 32.0 points per contest to help win six of its last eight games?
Realistically, the ‘Hawks offense will probably fall somewhere in the middle, but ultimately, there are just too many weapons not to come closer to the efficient side. Russell Wilson was near unstoppable over the second half of last season, Doug Baldwin is a dependable No. 1, Tyler Lockett has the shiftiness to beat teams in multiple ways and the running game is dangerous, whether it’s Thomas Rawls or a resurgent Christine Michael.
The only problem is a shaky–and that’s putting it kindly–offensive line, which could rear its ugly head against the Dolphins:
Seattle Seahawks have the lowest-paid OL ($8.6 million) and Miami Dolphins have the highest-paid DL ($40.4 million). (via @spotrac)
Even if the O-line struggles, though, the Seahawks always have their defense to fall back on. The Dolphins offense is expected to improve under new head coach Adam Gase, but he hasn’t had a lot of success against Seattle. As the offensive coordinator, his Denver Broncos were defeated 43-8 in Super Bowl 48, and last year, again as the offensive coordinator, his Chicago Bears lost 26-0 in Week 3.
Ultimately, Gase should be a positive addition for the Dolphins, who have been wildly inconsistent with Ryan Tannehill under center, but a matchup against the Seahawks’ elite defense in Seattle–one of the most difficult places in the league to play–isn’t an ideal way to start the season.
Prediction: Seahawks 28, Dolphins 10 (Seahawks straight up, Seahawks against the spread, Under 44.5)