Miami Dolphins Large Favorite (-7.5+) Betting Trend

The Dolphins' struggles as large favorites stem from their historically inconsistent identity and tendency to play down to competition. Miami has rarely been dominant enough to consistently blow out opponents, instead relying on explosive plays and momentum swings that create volatile performances. When installed as hefty favorites, the team often faces opponents with nothing to lose who play their most inspired football, while the Dolphins appear to lack the killer instinct needed to put games away early. Miami's offensive philosophy under various coaching regimes has emphasized quick-strike capability over sustained dominance. This approach works well in competitive games but often leads to complacency against overmatched opponents. The team's defensive units have also shown a pattern of giving up "garbage time" scores that cover backdoor spreads, particularly when holding comfortable leads late in games. The psychological element cannot be ignored - Miami teams have historically struggled with expectations, often performing better as underdogs than when carrying the burden of heavy favoritism. This manifests in slow starts, conservative play-calling, and a general lack of urgency that allows inferior opponents to stay competitive. This trend matters most when Miami faces division rivals or teams coming off embarrassing losses, as these opponents typically provide maximum motivation to upset a heavily favored Dolphins squad.