Dolphins Patriots Betting – Miami Tries to get Even In Foxboro
The sports wagering sites were unsure of what to expect from the Miami Dolphins this season. When the season started, things looked good for Miami. But as the season rolled on, the Dolphins fell further and further behind in the AFC East. Now the Dolphins just want to win their last game of the season and finish at .500. The problem is that last game of the season is in Foxboro, MA against the New England Patriots.
- What: NFL betting
- When: Sunday, January 2nd, 1:00 PM ET
- Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA
- Pick: New England Patriots -3
What’s On The Line
As far as the playoffs go, the Patriots (13-2) have nothing to play for in this game. They have clinched the best record in the AFC and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Dolphins (7-8) are the only team in this game with something to play for as they would at least like to finish the season with a .500 record.
Offensive Matchups: Dolphins Patriots Betting
The spread on this game is only three points because the online football betting crowd is expecting New England head coach Bill Belichick to pull all of his starters at some point to stay healthy for the playoff. But it is worth noting that Belichick does not have a history of taking his foot off the gas at the end of the season. When the Patriots entered week 17 of the 2007 season at 15-0, with nothing to play for, the starters played the entire game. That means you will see Tom Brady, Danny Woodhead and Wes Welker a lot in this game.
For some reason, at about the week four or five point of this season, the Dolphins lost all faith in quarterback Chad Henne. They tried to bench him but a season-ending injury to Chad Pennington brought Henne back. Now that the wildcat has been figured out by every defense in the league, and Henne’s confidence is shot, the Dolphins have little to offer on offense.
Betting Edge: Patriots
Defensive Matchups: Dolphins Patriots Betting
If anything prevents the Patriots from winning the Super Bowl this season it will be their defense. The defensive line is solid and has good run stopping and pass rush talent. But the linebackers and the secondary is young and still makes mistakes. It is nice to make mistakes on defense and still be 13-2, but at some point that will haunt the Patriots. Week 17, however, will not be that point.
It is a shame that the Miami offense has collapsed because the Dolphins have the third best defense in the NFL. The Dolphins defense is strong against the rush and the pass, and they will put up a fight against this Patriot offense. The Dolphins have very fast linebackers, and that will take away much of the middle of the field for Tom Brady and his offense.
Betting Edge: Dolphins
Notable Injuries: Dolphins Patriots Betting
As is customary at this point in the season, both the Patriots and the Dolphins are reporting no injuries. But the Dolphins are going to miss injured quarterback Chad Pennington (shoulder) in a game like this because managing the clock and moving the offense methodically down the field is how you give yourself a chance to beat the Patriots.
Betting Edge: Patriots
Outlook and Pick: Dolphins Patriots Betting
Bill Belichick game plans for week 17 the same way he does for week 1 – to win. All of the Patriots weapons will be on the field for this game, and that will be way too much for the Dolphins to handle. The Patriots will try and send a message to the other AFC playoff teams with this game, but if the New England defense does not show up for this game then there may be problems in Foxboro come playoff time.
Tony’s Pick: New England Patriots
