Miami Dolphins Small Favorite (-1 to -3) Betting Trend

The Dolphins' struggles as small favorites stem from their historical identity as a franchise caught between competitive windows and rebuilds. When Miami enters games laying short spreads, it typically signals the betting market views them as marginally better than their opponent - a position that has repeatedly exposed the team's inconsistencies and coaching limitations. Small favorite scenarios often arise when the Dolphins face teams with similar talent levels, creating tight contests where execution and game management become paramount. Miami's tendency toward conservative play-calling and questionable in-game decisions has consistently hurt them in these coin-flip matchups. The franchise's revolving door of coordinators and system changes has also created an environment where players struggle to perform confidently in pressure moments when they're expected to win. The psychological burden of being favored, even slightly, appears to weigh heavily on a franchise that has dealt with decades of underachievement. Players and coaches seem to press when expectations rise, leading to costly turnovers and blown coverages that swing close games. This trend carries the most weight when Miami faces divisional opponents or teams with comparable records, particularly in home games where the spread reflects perceived advantages that haven't materialized consistently.