Dolphins’ odds to Super Bowl worse than 1-4 Texans

Perceptions can change quickly in the NFL, and the Miami Dolphins’ bandwagon has a whole lot more legroom than it did a couple days ago.

The Dolphins were the unexpected darlings of power polls and some prognosticators after their 3-0 start, but a 38-7 whipping by the rival New England Patriots on Sunday has the public running away faster than Jakeem Grant. (Well, Jakeem Grant when he isn’t blanketed by guys in Pats jerseys, but let’s not dwell on that.)

As of Monday morning, the oddsmakers have the Dolphins as a 28⁄1 longshot to win the AFC. (Bet $100 and win $2,800.) The Houston Texans, who were a weird overtime finish away from being 0-4 right now, have stronger odds at 25⁄1, according to VegasInsider.com.

Just a week ago, Miami was 16⁄1 to win the conference championship. Now, they’re the 10th best choice to represent the AFC in Atlanta — behind the Chiefs, Patriots, Jaguars, Ravens, Chargers, Steelers, Bengals, Titans and Texans. Ouch.

And after dropping to 40⁄1 odds to win the Super Bowl after they moved to 3-0, the Dolphins are now back up to 66⁄1. Right where they were after the first two weeks of the season.

The optimist’s view? If you believe in this Dolphins team, you now have a chance at a bigger payout on these various futures bets. (Y’know, if sports gambling is legal where you are.) But that might take some strong selective amnesia. Or maybe you were out taking a nice long walk from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

If you’re more focused on short term — and, as Dave Hyde artfully pointed out, “On to Cincinnati” — Miami enters Week 5 as a 5.5-point underdog against the 3-1 Bengals.

really