Vegas Odds: LA -2.5
Dolphins vs Chargers NFL Week 1 Sharp Money Picks: LA 58%
2023 NFL Week 1 Power Ratings: Dolphins 87.0 Chargers 88.0
Sunday, September 10th the Miami Dolphins will travel cross country to face the Los Angeles Chargers in a matchup of 2022 AFC playoff teams from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The intriguing match-up of offensive powerhouses will be aired at 4:25 PM ET on CBS, NFL+, and YouTubeTV. Miami (9-9 Record LY) was eliminated from playoff contention in a hard-fought 31-34 loss to the Buffalo Bills with their 3rd string quarterback at the helm.
The Chargers (10-8 LY) were also bested in their first round of the playoffs, suffering a complete meltdown, squandering a 27-point lead to the Jacksonville Jaguars in a 30-31 loss. The Chargers pushed all the chips to the middle of the table with a roster built for a deep playoff run. On paper, Miami also has one of the most talented rosters in the NFL and could make a run at the Lombard Trophy if quarterback Tua Tagovailoa can stay upright and new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio can shore up an inconsistent defense. Vegas Sharps handicappers break down this AFC slugfest with their 2023 NFL Week 1 power ratings and analysis.
The Dolphins are at +120 moneyline against the Chargers at Sportsbettingonline.ag
Dolphins vs Chargers NFL Week 1 Sharp Money Picks Analysis
The sharp NFL betting money favors the Chargers but we are siding with the better-coached more well-rounded Dolphins to steal this one. LA is loaded with star power on both sides of the ball with Pro-Bowl caliber players in QB Justin Herbert, RB Austin Ekeler, WR’s Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, DE Joey Bosa, LB Khalil Mack, and safety Jerwin James. The stout offensive line is also one of the better units in the league. The Bolts’ cupboard is thin on defense however with mostly fringe players that would be backups on the majority of NFL rosters.
Miami’s roster is stacked from top-to-bottom with star power sprinkled in with wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, DT Christian Wilkens, and LB Jaelan Phillips. The Chargers’ secondary and run defense are suspect and will be exposed by Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel’s creative play calls. Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa led the NFL with a 105.5 passer rating and ranked 3rd in QBR before getting injured and should have a balanced attack with explosive running back Raheem Mostert able to run between the tackles against a leaky Chargers interior. Bet two NFL units on the Vegas odds for Miami to cover the short number as road underdogs.
NFL Week 1 Sharp Money Picks: Miami +2.5 (2 NFL Betting Units)
2023 NFL Week 1 Power Ratings
Quarterbacks
Dolphins:4.0 out of 5.0 stars4.0
Chargers:4.5 out of 5.0 stars4.5
Running Backs
Dolphins: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars4.0
Chargers: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars4.0
Wideouts
Dolphins: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars4.5
Chargers: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars4.0
Offensive Line
Dolphins: 3.5 out of 5.0 stars3.5
Chargers: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars4.0
Defensive Line
Dolphins: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars4.0
Chargers: 3.5 out of 5.0 stars3.5
Linebackers
Dolphins: 3.5 out of 5.0 stars3.5
Chargers: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars4.0
Secondary
Dolphins: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars4.0
Chargers: 3.5 out of 5.0 stars3.5
Special Teams
Dolphins: 3.5 out of 5.0 stars3.5
Chargers: 3.5 out of 5.0 stars3.5
Coaching
Dolphins: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars4.0
Chargers: 3.5 out of 5.0 stars3.5
