The Miami Dolphins are going to need to beat the New England Patriots at home in Week 18 to keep their hopes of making the playoffs alive. Will the Dolphins accomplish that mission? Or will the Patriots take Miami out of the playoff race? Check out our preview below of this game.
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Betting Preview for the New England Patriots vs Miami Dolphins Regular Season Week 18 Game on January 9, 2022
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
When: Sunday, January 9, 2022, 4:25 PM ET
Line: New England Patriots (-6.5) vs Miami Dolphins (+6.5) – view all 2022 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: CBS
Betting on the New England Patriots (-6.5)
Regular Season Record: 10-6
The Patriots showed no mercy to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16, as they eked out a 50-10 home win to recover from a two-game losing skid. Mac Jones shined a whole lot brighter than Trevor Lawrence, as the former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback passed for 227 yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions on 22/30 completions. Meanwhile, running back Rhamondre Stevenson paced the Pats with 107 rushing yards and a couple of touchdowns on 19 carries. Damien Harris also added two rushing scores. And as usual, New England’s defense was there to make big plays. The Patriots came away with three interceptions of Lawrence and also took the 2021 NFL Draft top pick to the ground twice. Jones is a much better quarterback now than when the Pats lost to Miami at home in Week 1, 17-16, during which Jones still managed to pass for 281 yards and a touchdown with zero interceptions on 29/39 completions. New England’s stop unit will also be a big threat to the Dolphins, who put up just three points in Week 16.
The Patriots are 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 games overall.
Betting on the Miami Dolphins (+6.5)
Regular Season Record: 8-8
Miami’s hot streak finally came to an end in Week 16, as the Fins lost to the Tennessee Titans on the road to the tune of a 34-3 score. Tua Tagovailoa has had his worst game of the season thus far in that contest, going 18/38 for 205 passing yards and zero touchdowns with an interception, while also getting sacked four times for a loss of 23 yards. Miami’s defense also struggled mightily, as the Dolphins allowed two passing touchdowns and a pair of rushing scores to the Titans. Nevertheless, the Dolphins remain a dangerous team to face, given their recent success. And beating the Patriots in Week 1 should give Miami some confidence heading into the rematch with Bill Belichick’s unit. The Dolphins managed to force two turnovers in the first meeting with New England, both coming off fumbles.
The Dolphins, who entered Week 17 10th in the NFL with 1.5 takeaways per game, are 4-1 against the spread in their last five contests at home.
Writer’s Prediction
The Patriots win, 20-17.
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