Well, if there was a mystery about it, the Miami Dolphins solved it by naming their starting quarterback for Monday night’s game against the Tennessee Titans.

Jim Harbaugh has injury concerns already as his Los Angeles Chargers tangle with the world champion Kansas City Chiefs in an AFC West duel.

Was the Carolina Panthers’ win last week a one-off, or could it be the beginning of a turnaround?

And who’s lousier between the Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns? 

>This is what we’re talking about this week as we explore some of the NFL betting choices and our picks for them.

Let’s go.

TENNESSEE TITANS at MIAMI DOLPHINS, 7:30 PM ET Monday

Monday Night Betting Odds from BetOnline:

Miami Dolphins -2 (-115)
Tennessee Titans +2 (-105)

Over 37 points -105
Under 37 points -115

A couple of weeks ago, Tyler Huntley wasn’t even on the Miami Dolphins’ roster. Now he’s the starting quarterback.

As they try to stay in the AFC East race in the wake of Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion, not to mention an injury to backup Skylar Thompson, the Dolphins turn to Huntley, who has had starting experience with the Baltimore Ravens and has even been named to a Pro Bowl (however dubious that was).

Miami may seem rudderless to an extent, but he may add a different dimension to things, at least on a temporary basis. We recall how Mike McDaniel was on the Washington Redskins staff when Robert Griffin was more or less shoved down their throats, while they preferred a dropback guy like Kirk Cousins. The staff had to tailor an offense around Griffin’s talents, and they were able to do it.

McDaniel will probably take a page from that as he tries to take advantage of Huntley’s talents, which make him something of a dual threat. And it was probably tough for Tennessee to prepare for.

The Titans are a team that seems to figure out ways to lose. And with Will Levis making rookie mistakes, they’re helping the opposition. The offensive line is a work in progress under Brian Callahan and his father Bill (a revered OL coach).

There’s a thing method actors talk about called “affective memory,” in which the performer will bring up a painful memory of the past to help trigger an emotion in a scene. The Dolphins have affective memory going for them, as their come-from-ahead loss to Tennessee at Hard Rock last year (in another night game) forced them to defeat Buffalo at home in order to win the AFC East. They lost, and that sent them to the igloo in Kansas City, where the Chiefs froze them out.

With that payback factor in their favor, along with Huntley, a local kid (Hallandale HS) making a start in front of friends and family, they can do this. 

THE PLAY: DOLPHINS -2

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS at LOS ANGELES CHARGERS, 4:25 PM ET Sunday

NFL Betting Odds from BetOnline: 

Kansas City Chiefs -7 (-118) 
Los Angeles Chargers +7 (-102)

Over 41 points -120
Under 41 points +100

On the surface, it doesn’t look like the Los Angeles Chargers are coming into their game against the Kansas City Chiefs with a head of steam. Offensive tackle Rashawn Slater, one of the best, has been ruled out of the game with a pectoral injury. Justin Herbert is slowed with an ankle problem, and while he’ll probably play, his movement will be hampered. And on the other side, Joey Bosa’s hip injury won’t allow him to play.

The Bolts are coming into this game off a rather non-offensive effort against Pittsburgh, as  they managed just ten first downs and 168 net yards. JK Dobbins was held under three yards per carry and Herbert was knocked out of the game, to be replaced by Taylor Heinecke.

The prevailing wisdom on social media is that the Chiefs are getting help from the officials at every opportunity. And while that may be somewhat exaggerated, there’s still some basis to it.

Kansas City has done a good job filling in for Isiah Pacheco, but is that the kind of thing that can sustain itself? The Chiefs have survived a few close shaves. And Travis Kelce is not off to the greatest start (many have weighed in on the “why”).

Not that there’s a lot of fundamental support for the Chargers as it stands, but the feeling here is that this is one of those situations where we’re going to see a balls-out effort from Harbaugh’s squad, and maybe something he’s been working up to from the moment he took this job. Los Angeles will do a lot of running around on defense, will hold Patrick Mahomes down as far as the big plays are concerned, and will play a little smashmouth with the football. This is a lot of points for KC to lay on the road.

THE PLAY: CHARGERS +7 (-102)

CLEVELAND BROWNS at LAS VEGAS RAIDERS, 4:25 PM ET Sunday

NFL Betting Odds at BetOnline:

Cleveland Browns -2.5
Las Vegas Raiders +2.5

Over 37 points -105
Under 37 points -115

Both of these teams should be ashamed of the way they played last week. But who will benefit more from it? The Raiders allowed Andy Dalton to have a great comeback outing as they rolled over for Carolina, while Cleveland came up way short against the Giants.

The effect of Antonio Pierce’s intense approach may wear off at some point, but he’s likely to get his team to bounce back emotionally. Let’s remember that Las Vegas was coming off a satisfying come-from-behind win at Baltimore, so perhaps a letdown was in order. Cleveland’s offensive line showed its weaknesses at home last week, allowing 21 pressures, 17 hits and eight sacks. That may be something for the Silver and Black to exploit.

The Browns’ running game isn’t much more than ordinary without Nick Chubb, and early indications are that their defense is not what it was last season. The Raiders are better than they looked last week; we still respect their weapons, and they’ve got more than enough in a game where they are catching points at home.

THE PLAY: RAIDERS +2.5

CINCINNATI BENGALS at CAROLINA PANTHERS, 1 PM ET Sunday

NFL Betting Lines at BetOnline:

Cincinnati Bengals -4.5 (-115)
Carolina Panthers +4.5 (-105)

Over 47.5 points -110
Under 47.5 points -110

After Carolina head coach Dave Canales benched Bryce Young last week, Andy Dalton became the first QB this year to have over 300 yards and three touchdowns. Was that a fluke? Or was it an indication of what this team can do with some veteran leadership at the helm?

Perhaps it’s something Dalton can’t duplicate, but his teammates have to be overjoyed that they got some production out of the position. The Bengals demonstrated that they are vulnerable on defense, as a kid in his third NFL game (Jayden Daniels) had his way with them. In this short turnaround, they now have to deal with a 14-year vet.

Also worth mentioning is that Cincinnati’s offensive line has been found wanting, while Carolina actually ranks first overall by Pro Football Focus (respected analytics source) in pass blocking efficiency.

THE PLAY: PANTHERS +4.5 (-105) 

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