Strugglers can do enough to cross the line

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It is probably fair to say that TV chiefs thought Miami and Oakland would be having more successful seasons when they schemed this match for a Sunday night audience.

The Dolphins and the Raiders are in danger of seeing their hopes of making the playoffs slip away as both teams have had offensive problems in the last few weeks.

The difficulties are worse in Miami as Adam Gase's team come to terms with their 40-0 humiliation at Baltimore ten days ago - it was the second time this term that the Dolphins have been shut out after their 20-0 defeat to New Orleans at Wembley.

They have dispensed with the services of running back Jay Ajayi, who has struggled to hit the heights of last season and Miami fans may not be too excited about the prospect of quarterback Jay Cutler returning from a hip injury.

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The situation is not much better at Oakland as the Raiders, who were hotly fancied to take the AFC West and would have probably made a deep playoff push last year had quarterback Derek Carr not broken his leg, have won just three of their eight matches.

They have scored more than 20 points in just one of their last five matches - their 31-30 victory over Kansas City could prove to be the highlight of their season - but these are two teams with huge points to prove.

Miami and Oakland will want to demonstrate that they still have something to offer this season and the value option has to be to swim against the tide and back the match to eclipse a total of 44 points.

Recommendation
Over 44 points
1pt 19-20 BoyleSports

The lowdown
Venue Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Surface Enhanced grass
Weather Clear, 25C
Vegas handicap Oakland -3
Vegas points line 44

Team news
Oakland
Offensive lineman Gabe Jackson (ankle) and safety Karl Joseph (groin) are questionable.

Miami
Quarterback Jay Cutler is expected to return after a rib injury and wide receiver DeVante Parker should feature after an ankle problem.

Key stat
The points total have gone over the line in six of the teams' last seven meetings.

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