The Week 4 match-up between the Tennessee Titans and the Miami Dolphins is not really worthy of a primetime slot, but it is the first of two games on Monday night's schedule.
The Titans are 0-3 for the season after losses to the Bears, Jets and Packers, while the Dolphins are 1-2, having suffered two heavy defeats since losing starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa during the Week 2 loss to the Jaguars.
That's why the Dolphins are only marginally favored at home against a winless team.
The Titans also have the edge in the teams' head-to-head meetings, winning and covering the spread when taking the teams' last two clashes by scores of 34-3 and 28-27.
The Dolphins roster has far more offensive talent than the Titans, but until they have figured out a way to look competent without Tagovailoa leading their offense it's hard to have any faith at all in the home team.
Miami went down 31-10 to the Bills after their starting QB was injured and suffered a blowout loss in Seattle in Week 3, losing 24-3. Skylar Thompson started that game, but the back-up passer then got hurt himself and Tim Boyle finished the game.
As Thompson is dealing with a painful rib injury, head coach Mike McDaniel's choice could be between Boyle and the recently signed Tyler Huntley, who played for the Browns in preseason games, but neither is likely to extract the full potential of the Miami offense this week.
The Dolphins defense is another issue as they have not looked up to the task of compensating for the team's offensive issues.
The Seahawks outgained the Dolphins 370 yards to 205 despite losing the turnover battle 2-0 and the struggling Titans must have high hopes of earning their first win under head coach Brian Callahan.
The Titans blew a 17-0 lead in Week 1 against the Bears while their two latest defeats were against playoff contenders in the Jets and Packers.
They were more competitive in the 24-17 loss to the Jets, which was tied after three quarters, as two dreadful interceptions by quarterback Will Levis ruined their chances against the Packers.
Levis led the Titans to a 28-27 Monday night win over the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Week 12 last season - the first road win for Tennessee and the first home loss for Miami - and the visitors may be able to pull off the same trick again.
The Titans have one of the oldest wide receiver groups in the NFL with 32-year-old DeAndre Hopkins lining up alongside 29-year-olds Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd, but they could all prove sprightly enough to make plays against the vulnerable Dolphins defense.
Ridley was the main man for the team in the first two games, with 50 and 77 receiving yards, but Hopkins led the way against the Packers, securing six of the seven passes that came his way for 73 yards and a touchdown.
The former Texans and Cardinals receiver just won his battle to be healthy for the start of the season after a knee injury, but should be in better shape with each passing week, so his expanded role in Week 3 augurs well for his future production.
Hopkins had 1,057 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in his first season with the Titans last season and could secure his second TD of the year against the Dolphins at excellent odds.
Read more betting picks and predictions for the NFL on site.
Tennessee Titans | -105 ML |
Miami Dolphins | -115 ML |
Spread | Dolphins -1.0 (-110) |
Total Points | 36.5 |
De'Von Achane (MIA Dolphins) | +125 |
Tony Pollard (TEN Titans) | +130 |
Tyreek Hill (MIA Dolphins) | +150 |
Jaylen Waddle (MIA Dolphins) | +240 |
Raheem Mostert (MIA Dolphins) | +240 |
Calvin Ridley (TEN Titans) | +260 |
Read the latest NFL news on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.