Vegas Play of the Day: Panthers vs. Dolphins

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Ryan Kang / AP

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, left, is sacked by Los Angeles Rams defensive end Eugene Sims during the first half of an NFL game Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Los Angeles.

Mon, Nov 13, 2017 (1:57 p.m.)

We’ve entered the fourth season of the annual South Point-lined Play of the Day competition, effective July 1.

Starting bankrolls have reset to $10,000, with the maximum bet being to win $1,000 and the minimum wager $300. Ray Brewer won back-to-back titles in the 2015-2016 and 2016-17 seasons, after Taylor Bern prevailed in 2014-2015.

Carolina Panthers minus-9 vs. Miami Dolphins: $550 to win $500

Carolina isn't an offensive powerhouse, as the Panthers have scored just 40 points in their past three games. And that's worrisome when asking them to cover a spread this large. But Miami has been so dreadful this season that I'm more comfortable taking the Panthers in this Monday Night Football matchup.

Miami has issues running the ball — the Dolphins average 3.3 yards per rush, 30th in the league — and the problem got so severe that the team felt that trading away star running back Jay Ajayi would actually improve the situation. Unfortunately for Miami, stopping the run just happens to be Carolina's biggest strength. The Panthers allow just 3.7 yards per carry (seventh-best in the league), and they've only gotten better since linebacker Luke Keuchly returned from injury.

Once Carolina shuts down the run game, the Dolphins will have to turn to quarterback Jay Cutler in an attempt to move the ball. And I'm never going to bet on a Cutler-led team when he's expected to be prominently involved in the game plan. So far this season, Miami quarterbacks have thrown 1.1 interceptions per game, which ranks 29th in the league. Carolina will win, and Cutler will turn it over enough to help them cover the spread.

Current Standings: Granger (9-9, $11,675), Brewer (14-12, $10,070), Keefer (12-12-1, $9,641), Grimala (6-7, $8,555)

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