Sometimes the NFL record book is deceiving.
In an NFL news release previewing a Week 9 game, the league credited Miami's Tua Tagovailoa with being the first Dolphins quarterback to win his first career start since the late David Woodley in 1980.
True, Woodley did make his first NFL start in a Miami win over Archie Manning and the New Orleans Saints in Week 4 of that season. However, Woodley did not finish the job. He was relieved by veteran Bob Griese with the Fish trailing, 16-0, in the second half. Woodley had completed 4 of 15 passes for 61 yards and was intercepted three times.
Hardly a winning performance. Griese took over, rallied Miami to victory with 21 fourth-quarter points and should have gotten the win in relief, so to speak.
Three weeks later, Woodley started and went the distance in a 17-14 win over the Bills in the Orange Bowl. That should be his first winning start.
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Another Miami quarterback, Hall-of-Famer Dan Marino, made his first NFL start against the Bills in 1983. Marino was brilliant, but Joe Ferguson of the Bills was better that day, passing for what was then a franchise record 419 yards in a 38-35 overtime victory. It was Buffalo's first win in the Orange Bowl since 1966, snapping a 16-year winless streak in the old stadium in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood.
Tagovailoa passed for only 93 yards and his first NFL touchdown in Miami's upset of the visiting Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Miami Gardens. This week, it's a tougher assignment for the Dolphins, who are only 1½ games behind the first-place Bills in the East Division standings of the American Conference. They will face the well-rested Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz., while Buffalo will be a home underdog against Seattle. The Seahawks lead the NFL's toughest division, the NFC West, which is 16-6 overall against outside opponents.
Sharing top billing with the Seahawks and Bills will be the New Orleans Saints and Drew Brees' Sunday night visit to Tampa Bay to face Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.
A capsule look at the remaining Week 9 games:
Game of the day
Seahawks (6-1) at Bills (6-2)
TV: Fox, 1 p.m.
The line: Seahawks (-3).
Record ATS: Seahawks 5-2, Bills 3-4.
Over/under: 54
Times O/U: Seahawks 5/1/1, Bills 6/2.
The scoop: Seattle leads the NFL in scoring (34.3 ppg) while the Bills have not exactly been blowing out the scoreboard fuses. Buffalo has only 75 points (18.7 ppg) in its last four games and nearly got picked off by the Patriots at home last week. If Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs isn't the NFL's hottest quarterback, then it's Russell Wilson of the Seahawks. Wilson leads the league with 26 touchdown passes and a 120.7 passer rating. WR Tyler Lockett has 49 receptions and a league-leading seven TD catches.
Outlook: The Bills' pass rush, which is not exactly like the Rams' Fearsome Foursome or the 1985 Bears, should not be a threat to Wilson and a Seattle defense that is allowing 460.9 yards a game should hold down Josh Allen and the Buffalo attack. Seahawks, 27-18.
Top attractions
Saints (5-2) at Buccaneers (6-2)
TV: NBC, 8:20 p.m.
The line: Bucs (-4½).
Record ATS: Saints 3-5, Bucs 4-3-1.
Over/under: 55.
Times O/U: Saints 6/1/1, Bucs 4/4.
The scoop: Second Brees versus Brady duel of future Hall of Fame quarterbacks this season. Saints won first in New Orleans, 34-23. Brees completed 16 of 30 for 160 yards and two touchdowns; Brady was 23 for 36 for 239 yards with two interceptions. He passed for two touchdowns, the second with 2:41 left.
Outlook: Brady has his Tampa version of Julian Edelman in Scotty Miller and has rediscovered Rob Gronkowski, who has touchdown receptions the last three weeks. Bucs almost slipped up at Giants, but they may have been distracted by big game looming. Bucs, 38-31.
Ravens (5-2) at Colts (5-2)
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
The line: Ravens (-3).
Record ATS: Ravens 3-3-1, Colts 4-3.
Over/under: 44½.
Times O/U: Ravens 3/4, Colts 3/4.
The scoop: This is almost a must-win game for Baltimore, especially with the undefeated Steelers almost guaranteed a win at the Cowboys. ... Lamar Jackson, who has throws for 12 TDs and 4 interceptions, and has a team-leading 411 rushing yards, is getting criticized for his four turnovers and inability to bring the Ravens back for a win at home over Pittsburgh last week. Indy, which is allowing only 293.4 yards a game, finally got a solid game from QB Philip Rivers last week to win at Detroit. But that was the Lions.
Outlook: Colts are 3-0 at home, but opponents are only 4-15-1 against other teams. Ravens, 24-20.
Bears (5-3) at Titans (5-2)
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
The line: Titans (-5½).
Record ATS: Bears 5-3, Titans 2-5.
Over/under: 46½.
Times O/U: Bears 3/5, Titans 4/3.
The scoop: Chicago coming off OT home loss to Saints while Titans have fallen to Steelers at home and at Bengals after winning first five. Soft early schedule with four wins over teams with losing records has helped Chicago. However, Nick Foles came through in clutch to get last week's game to OT and Allen Robinson is becoming a major receiving threat with 50 catches and 12.6-yard average. Defense let Titans down last week when Bengals built 24-7 lead.
Outlook: With NFL rushing leader Derrick Henry (775 yards) and solid play from Ryan Tannehill at quarterback (17-3 TD-INT), Tennessee shouldn't lose this one. Titans, 24-17.
Dolphins (4-3) at Cardinals (5-2)
Kickoff: 4:25 p.m.
The line: Cardinals (-4 1/2).
Record ATS: Dolphins 5-2, Cardinals 5-2.
Over/under: 47 1/2.
Times O/U: Dolphins 2/3/2, Cardinals 2/5.
The scoop: If they can somehow win this one with Tua, the Dolphins could be breathing down the necks of the Bills, who already have been crowned division champions despite unimpressive wins the last two weeks. However, Dolphins have to travel while Cards are coming off a bye. Not a fair scenario, but that's life in the NFL.
Outlook: Can't see the Dolphins keeping up with Arizona offense that leads league at 419.1 yards per game.
Best of the rest
Raiders (4-3) at Chargers (2-5)
Kickoff: 4:05 p.m.
The line: Chargers (-1½).
Record ATS: Raiders 4-3, Chargers 3-2-2.
Over/under: 54.
Times O/U: Raiders 6/1, Chargers 4/3.
The scoop: Remember when this was Oakland versus San Diego at Balboa Park and Jack Murphy Stadium? Both franchises have moved on, sadly. Raiders finally came up with a big win, in wind and cold rain, at Cleveland last week. Chargers led most of the way but lost on last play at Denver. In four of their five losses, Chargers had lead in fourth quarter. Anthony Lynn has done good job with Chargers, but you can't keep losing close games in which you had late leads and keep your job.
Outlook: Rookie Justin Herbert, who wasn't supposed to start at this stage of his career, has 15 TDs and 5 INTs, 104.4 rating. He finally gets a quality win. Chargers, 27-24.
Broncos (3-4) at Falcons (2-6)
Kickoff: Falcons (-4).
Record ATS: Broncos 4-3, Falcons 3-5.
Over/under: 50.
Times O/U: Broncos 4/3, Falcons 4-4.
The scoop: Each team is coming off a win. The Broncos rallied to defeat the Chargers on the last play of the game while Atlanta won a division game at Carolina. ... Matt Ryan of the Falcons leads the NFL in passing yards (2,462), impressive when you look at the numbers being racked up by so many NFL passers. Drew Lock of the Broncos does not have impressive stats (4-5 TD-INT ratio), but three of those scoring throws came in the fourth quarter against the Chargers last week.
Outlook: Broncos are used to traveling. All three of their road games so far have been in the Eastern time zone. They are 2-1 with the loss by only five at Pittsburgh. Falcons, 31-30.
Panthers (3-5) at Chiefs (7-1)
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
The line: Chiefs (-10½).
Record ATS: Panthers 4-4, Chiefs 6-2.
Over/under: 53.
Times O/U: Panthers 4/4, Chiefs 4/4.
The scoop: Mahomes has 21 TD throws, a few of them glorified handoffs scored as forward passes even though they don't cross the line of scrimmage. Wonder if Johnny Unitas got credited for 2-yard under-handed lobs in his day. Should Chiefs be taking touches away from rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire in order to give some to newcomer Le'Veon Bell, who ran six times for 7 yards against Jets last week, although he did have three receptions for 31 yards? ... It's likely that RB Christian McCaffrey of the Panthers will be activated from IR for this one.
Outlook: McCaffrey or not, don't see much chance of Carolina upset, but as 3-1 road team and with impressive coaching job by Matt Rhule, they should be competitive. Chiefs, 24-17.
Lions (3-4) at Vikings (2-5)
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
The line: Vikings (-4).
Record ATS: Lions 3-4, Vikings 4-3.
Over/under: 53½.
Times O/U: Lions 3/3/1, Vikings 4/3.
The scoop: Aside from surprise win at Cardinals and home loss to Bears in opener, Detroit has done little against quality opposition. Dalvin Cook became third player in Vikings franchise history with four TDs in a game in last week's win at Green Bay. ... Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was placed on the Covid-19/reserve list on Wednesday and will miss the game. Chase Daniel is expected to draw the start.
Outlook: Cook, who had 163 of his 226 scrimmage yards last week on the ground, might have a field day against Detroit run defense that gives up 130 a game on the ground and ranks 23rd. Minnesota playing better and schedule gets easier. Vikings, 31-21.
Texans (1-6) at Jaguars (1-6)
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
The line: Texans (-6½).
Record ATS: Texans 2-5, Jaguars 2-5.
Over/under: 51½.
Times O/U: Texans 3/4, Jaguars 3/3/1.
The scoop: Two bottom teams of AFC South face each other in Jacksonville. Both are coming off a bye, which is rare in the NFL when division teams face each other. Houston is 2-1 since Romeo Crennel took over as interim head coach from fired Bill O'Brien. Doug Marrone of the Jaguars is only 2-6 against division rival. Texans won first game of the season series, 30-14, on Oct. 11. QB Gardner Minshew II (thumb) will miss the game, so rookie Jake Luton (Oregon State) is expected to start for Jaguars.
Outlook: Texans gave up 35 points to Packers and Jags allowed 39 by Chargers in games before last week's bye. Over/under number seems set low. Texans, 35-27.
Giants (1-7) at Washington (2-5)
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
The line: Washington (-3½).
Record ATS: Giants 5-3, Washington 3-3-1.
Over/under: 43.
Times O/U: Giants 3/5, Washington 2/5.
The scoop: Daniel Jones' overthrows in otherwise nice game against Bucs on Monday Night Football look a lot like early career Josh Allen miscues. Giants starting to impress with their improvement. Only one bad game against 49ers despite record. Washington coming off bye week, which followed a win at Dallas when they KO'd Andy Dalton and won, 25-3.
Outlook: Could be tough for Jones to get production against Washington defense that allows only 309.1 yards but usually scores in the teens. Giants, 17-14.
Patriots (2-5) at Jets (0-8)
TV: ESPN, Monday, 8:15 p.m.
The line: Patriots (-7½).
Record ATS: Patriots 3-4, Jets 0-8.
Over/under: 41.
Times O/U: Patriots 3/4, Jets 3/5.
The scoop: Patriots came close to disillusioning Bills and a lot of their followers last week. Belichick had it scripted right, go ahead and leave Josh Allen and Bills little time to respond. Then Cam Newton fumbled it away. Newton has only two TD passes and seven INTs but averages 5.1 yards rushing with six TDs. Jets are last in the league in offense (259.0) but are the clubhouse leaders in Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes.
Outlook: Jets are winless but seem to be getting a little better. Unless it's a mirage. Patriots, 23-13.
Dog of the day
Steelers (7-0) at Cowboys (2-6)
Kickoff: 4:25 p.m.
The line: Steelers (-13½).
Record ATS: Steelers 6-1, Cowboys 0-8.
Over/under: 41½
Times O/U: Steelers 3/4, Cowboys 4/4.
The scoop: It does not bring back memories of Bradshaw vs. Staubach. ... Rookie Ben DiNucci gets another QB start for Dallas, a task he isn't close to being ready for. DiNucci, a Pittsburgh native, could be raw meat for Steelers. Dallas is 0-8 against the spread, only the third time an NFL team has started that way. The 1991 Bengals and 2003 Raiders were the others. Getting 13½ against the Bills in 1991, Bengals couldn't cover, losing 35-16.
Outlook: After big wins over Titans and Ravens, you couldn't blame Pittsburgh for a little letdown. Steelers, 27-9.
Last week: Favorites were 8-6; 5-9 against the spread; 7 games went over the number, 7 were under.
Last week's record: 9-4 outright; 7-6 ATS; over/under predictions were 6-7.
Season's record: 75-35-1 outright; 51-58-2 ATS; over/under predictions 59-50-2.
