
Let’s dive in. Sunday Night Football Game 2 brings us an AFC East rivalry game, so let’s check the Dolphins vs. Patriots odds.
With the Bills losing to the Jets in Week 1 – and New York losing Aaron Rodgers for the season – Patriots-Dolphins matchup now holds even greater significance for the AFC East and playoff race. Last season, New England and Miami split their series evenly, each side winning at home and splitting the series evenly overall.
The Patriots offense has long been a source of worry.
Trent Brown (concussion), Mike Onwenu (ankle), Cole Strange (knee) and Sidy Sow (concussion) are listed as questionable for Week 2, though none have practiced this week.
DeVante Parker (knee) remains banged up, while offseason addition Juju Smith-Schuster was benched during the fourth quarter last week. Mac Jones completed 59% of his attempts but averaged only 5.9 yards per attempt, while Justin Herbert was limited to 229 yards and 6.9 average yards per attempt by Miami defenses.
The Patriots struggled to run the ball effectively due to a battered offensive line and gained only 76 yards on 22 carries (3.5 yards per carry).
In Week 1, the Dolphins impressed as they put up 36 points and 14 explosive passing plays of 16 yards or longer against the Chargers to come away victorious with a 36-34 win.
Miami should remain one of the league’s best offenses as long as Tua Tagovailoa remains healthy, but I anticipate their numbers to return closer to reality in Week 2. Miami won’t face a Chargers defense that has allowed 60 points over their past six quarters (since their playoff loss against Jaguars).
Second, the Patriots defense was phenomenal in Week 1. They held the Eagles to just 251 yards on 61 plays (4.1 yards per play). Additionally, only one play of 16 yards or longer was permitted through.
Bill Belichick’s defense succeeded against the Dolphins during Tagovailoa’s one start under Mike McDaniel; on Week 1 last season, New England held them to 307 yards and 20 points.
Miami will sometimes struggle but will have too many weapons for the Patriots to shut out. Miami wins 24-13.
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