The New England Patriots (-1500 to win the AFC East) are still the team to beat in the NFL. The Miami Dolphins(+50000)? Well, let’s just say they are light years away from being a Super Bowl contender. These two teams who are each on the opposite end of the spectrum will meet in Week 2, with the Patriots being a massive favorite. We’ve seen miracles happen in Miami, though.
We all know the biggest thing that happened for New England last week, and it’s not even their 33-3 demolition job of a win at home over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rather, it’s the arrival of wide receiver Antonio Brown to Foxboro. Brown did not play in Week 1 for technical reasons, but he’s finally going to make his debut in Patriots uniform in Week 2 in Miami. Injecting Browns to the Pats’ offense against the seemingly tanking Dolphins might seem overkill, but New England is never known to show mercy to its opponents. Against the Steelers, Tom Brady went 24 of 36 for 341 passing yards and three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Phillip Dorsett led the receiving corps with 95 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while Julian Edelman and Josh Gordon combined for 166 receiving yards and a touchdown. With Brown set to play on Sunday, Brady will have the luxury of a triumvirate of the former Steelers wideout, Gordon, and Edelman. Don’t overlook the Pats’ defense, though. New England’s stop unit should have an easier time containing Miami’s directionless offense.
The Patriots are 5-0 against the spread (ATS) in their last five games.
Betting on the Miami Dolphins (0-1)
The Dolphins’ morale are so low right now. In fact, after Miami’s 59-10 blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1 at home, several Dolphins players were reportedly asking their agents to force the team’s management to ask for trades. Indeed, it’s looking like a very long season ahead for Miami. Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 185 yards and a touchdown with an interception. He was replaced late in the game by Josh Rosen, who proceeded to make a mess of his own, throwing an interception on just three pass attempts. Miami reached the red zone just once and had three turnovers. Up against a well-oiled New England machine, the Dolphins will have to get it together and it begins by believing they can play some good football than questioning the direction of the team. The Dolphins should also increase the workload of their backfield, which only rushed the ball 12 times in the Ravens game.
The Dolphins are 5-1 ATS in their last six home games against New England.
