Dolphins 10-point Underdogs Going into the Bye

LAS VEGAS, NV -- The Dolphins are on a bye. That means they can't lose, right? Wrong! I accepted an old college friend's invitation to Las Vegas this weekend. Seems that he's about to be "put away" for quite a while and he wanted to spend his last remaining hours of freedom reveling in sin. So, naturally, I boarded a plane and joined him.

After a few drinks, we were waffling on how we should spend/lose our money, so we ambled into the Sports Book at the MGM Grand. My buddy threw twenty bucks on a random horse race. Incidentally, he picked 5-2-10, as that was his sentence. And, being the guru of professional football that I am, I thought, what better way to make that cheddar than picking some games. Imagine my surprise when I saw the Dolphins listed at + 10 vs. The Bye!

I asked the guy, "Hey, what gives?" He instantly reconginzed me as Stu Bixby, reporter. It could have been the name-tag I was wearing, or the shirt that listed both my name and profession, or it could have been that I am more famous than I thought. "Sorry, Stu, but you know as well as the next guy, that our line is merely a reflection of how people have been betting the game. Initially, we didn't have them listed at all, but so many people are down on the Phins, it just made sense."

"But, they're on a bye! You can't lose a game when you don't play one," I pleaded. "Are you going to place a bet or not?" he asked. Then at the next betting window, I heard a man go, "50 on the Bye. And 50 on the under."

I had to ask him why he would do this. "It's a sure bet. They're one of the worst teams in the league. Even if by some miracle of God, they don't lose, they won't score a lot, so I've got my bases covered," he said. I pondered this. He made a lot of sense. True, they aren't very good. And they haven't shown a lot of improvement. And they sure do make tons of mistakes. But... They aren't playing!!

So.... long story short, I put my money on the Bye, too. Although, I took the over. With the way Joey is playing, we're good for a few turnovers, and one is sure to be run back for a score. And I think that the defense is just too old to stop anyone. Sorry, fellow Dol-fans, I love my team, but I also love a good deal.

-Stu