DOLPHINS NIP BUCCANEERS

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers looked to be on their way to their second win of the NFL season, but the Miami Dolphins and quarterback Chad Henne had other plans.  Henne directed a 77 yard drive as the game wound down, leading to a Dan Carpenter 25 yard field goal as time expired to give the Dolphins a 25-23 home field victory.  The victory improved Miami’s record to 4-5 while Tampa Bay slumped to 1-8.

Tampa Bay did reward NFL football betting enthusiasts who ‘invested’ in the Bucs as +10 road underdogs with a pointspread cover.  Tampa Bay has covered two straight after dropping six of their first seven decisions against the number for a 3-6 ATS mark.  Miami dropped to 4-5 against the NFL pointspread. The 48 combined points scored went OVER the posted total of 43.  Both teams have now gone OVER in six of nine games this season.

After the game, Henne shared his thoughts as he took the field before the climactic drive:

"We had a minute left. It's your time to go out there and make a comeback."

A Henne interception had set the stage for Tampa’s go ahead touchdown:

"It's tough, especially when it's your fault with that interception. But you can't let it bother you forever."

Thirteen year NFL vet Jason Taylor used the game as an opportunity to make a valuable point to his young quarterback:

"I told him after the game in the locker room, 'You grew up today. It's a maturation process. He's going to make mistakes. We all make mistakes. I still do after 13 years. The key is to bounce back when you do, and that's what he did today."

Taylor also had praise for Tampa Bay rookie quarterback Josh Freeman:

"That kid is going to be good. He has great poise for a young quarterback. He moves around well. I've got a lot of respect for that young kid."

Freeman wasn’t in a mood to be excited about the magnanimous comment from the NFL vet:

"I feel pretty miserable right now because of the loss. You hate to lose. That's the only thing on my mind."

Bucs’ coach Raheem Morris hasn’t had much success during his first year at the helm, but he’s made post game excuses an art form:

"This loss is solely on me. Getting a personal foul as a head coach is totally unacceptable. I'm taking those points; that's how much we lost by. I should take the blame for that. I used the wrong type of language to the official."

The Dolphins now face a quick turnaround before a Thursday night game at Carolina.  Miami is a +3 road underdog with the total set at 43’.  They’ll then have ten days off before a road game at Buffalo on November 29.  They’ll be back at home the following week to play the New England Patriots.  The Bucs are off this week before returning to action the following Sunday at home against the New Orleans Saints.  They’ll take to the road for the following two Sundays, playing the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers.