Patriots Dolphins Betting – New England “D” Dominates Miami
Online betting players expect New England to be among the Super bowl favorites every year, and 2011 is no exception as they made some big moves in the shortened offseason. These players will be on display on Monday when the Patriots head to Miami to kick off their regular season, and their defense will be the story against their AFC East rivals.
What: NFL Betting
When: Monday, September 12th, 7:00 PM ET
Where: Sun Life Stadium, Miami, FL
Pick: New England Patriots -7
Why Bet On New England Patriots
The Patriots are the NFL betting favorites for a number of reasons: they brought in receiver Chad Ochocinco and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, two veteran castoffs from Cincinnati and Washington, and if they can come close to the level of play they used to reach, New England will be the winners of the offseason. They still have Tom Brady under center, and Wes Welker will be ruling underneath, along with the tight-end duo of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. The Patriots were 25th defensively in 2010, but they also led the AFC in forced turnovers and were improving week by week as the year went on. Lost in the pickup of Haynesworth were the acquisitions of ends Shaun Ellis and Andre Carter. If all goes well, the Patriots could have the best defensive line in the league. At the back, safety Patrick Chung was so good in 2010 that head coach Bill Belichick felt like he could let Brandon Meriweather walk.
But the Patriots are taking some huge risks, particularly with Haynesworth, who was a huge distraction in Washington. He has said all the right things about his new team, but now the former Pro Bowler has to prove it on the field and Haynesworth has to know that he is on a short leash. Also, the Patriots are still going with a running-back-by-committee strategy, which works for them, but you wonder how powerful they would be with a legitimate No.1 back.
Why Bet On Miami Dolphins
Reggie Bush looked outstanding for the Dolphins in the preseason, and it’s possible that all he needed was a change of scenery after stalling in New Orleans. Quarterback Chad Henne needs all the help he can get, but he should be eager to prove his critics wrong as Miami chose not to approve a trade for Denver’s Kyle Orton, and many thought that was a bad idea. He has good receivers with a healthy Brandon Marshall, along with Davone Bess and Brian Hartline and improving tight end Anthony Fasano, and now he has Bush. The Miami defense was sixth in the league last year, and linebacker Cameron Wake has to show that last year’s 14.5 sacks were no fluke. Veteran linebacker Jason Taylor is back, but don’t expect much from the 2006 Defensive Player of the Year.
Miami’s NFL betting odds are dependent on Henne’s ability to go to the next level and specifically, he has to avoid turnovers as he has 27 touchdowns in his career, but 33 picks. Last season, Henne tossed two touchdowns and four interceptions in two games against the Patriots, which puts Miami behind the eight-ball already. The defense has to get some pressure on Brady or else he is going to pick them apart, because the secondary can be exposed if they’re left in coverage too long.
How It Will Play Out
NFL betting odds have the Patriots as a 7-point favorite on the road in this AFC East affair, and they’re 3-2 SU and ATS in their last five trips to Miami, with three games going over the posted total. Last year’s visit to Miami yielded a 41-14 beatdown for the Patriots, which was the third time in five games that they had dropped 40 points or more on the Dolphins in the Sunshine State.
They may not reach the 40-point plateau, but the Patriots should win this game going away not because of their explosive offense, but because of their defense, which should be in the top 10 this season. Up front, the New England defensive line should be able to control the line of scrimmage and if they can pressure Henne, he’ll make mistakes. Get the Monday night doubleheader started on a high note and take the Patriots in your sports betting picks.
Patriots Dolphins Betting Pick New England Patriots -7
