 NFL Pick - Miami @ Tampa Bay
Miami (0-1 SU and ATS) at Tampa Bay (1-0 SU and ATS)
After taking on Jacksonville last week, the Dolphins conclude their annual intrastate preseason battles with a game at Tampa Bay.
Miami fell to the Jaguars 31-26 as a 1½-point home favorite, with top quarterbacks Daunte Culpepper and Joey Harrington making their debut in Dolphins gear. Culpepper, still recovering from a surgically repaired knee, went 1-for-2 for 2 yards in just a series of action, while Harrington followed and finished 10 of 19 for 99 yards and a touchdown.
Expect the same QB rotation for Miami, with Culpepper getting the start and likely playing just the first series again. Harrington will once again take over and finish the first half, with Cleo Lemon and Brock Berlin splitting time in the second half. The Dolphins’ secondary is thin, as Travis Daniels, Mike Lehan and Eddie Jackson will not play. Miami All-Pro defensive end Jason Taylor will miss his second straight preseason game.
The Buccaneers blanked the Jets 13-0 in the second half last week en route to a 16-3 victory as a 3½-point home chalk. Third-string quarterback Bruce Gradkowski led the surge, going 11-for-13 for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Starter Chris Simms completed 2 of 3 passes for 8 yards, while backup Tim Rattay was 1 of 4 for 26 yards. All three QBs will play tonight, though coach Jon Gruden – per his custom – did not reveal a rotation or announce playing time.
Bucs QBs Luke McCown and Jay Fiedler will once again be sidelined with injuries, but Fiedler is expected to be ready for the season opener. Gruden said running back Carnell Williams won’t see any action in this one.
The Bucs and Dolphins get together each preseason, with Tampa Bay going 4-0 (3-0-1 ATS) in the last four summers. The two teams also met in the regular season last year, with Tampa Bay winning 27-13 as 4½-point home favorites.
ATS ADVANTAGE: TAMPA BAY  | 
