Miami Dolphins vs Las Vegas Raiders Predictions

Bowers' absence matters at -3.5

FOX Sports lists Raiders tight end Brock Bowers as out with a knee injury. That removes a receiving option for Las Vegas as SPF makes the Raiders 3.5-point favorites against Miami. Without confirmed starters or evidence of how they'll replace him, projecting a winning margin is difficult.

The Miami Dolphins' official game center lists kickoff for 4:25 p.m. EDT Sunday at Allegiant Stadium, with both teams entering the season opener at 0-0.

Betting decision: Pass

SPF prices Las Vegas at -218 and Miami at +180. The Raiders' price requires roughly a 68.6% win probability to break even. Las Vegas is the likelier winner according to those odds, but there's no supported estimate here that justifies paying that price.

FOX Sports reports that Las Vegas has drawn 86% of moneyline bets, while spread bets are split evenly. Those figures describe bettor preferences; they don't establish an edge on either side. Bowers' absence alone also doesn't make Miami +3.5 a worthwhile wager.

The SPF total is 40.5, with either side priced at -110. Without confirmed quarterback starters or current offensive performance evidence, a scoring projection would be speculative. Pass on the total as well.