Patriots vs. Dolphins prediction roundup: Who needs Tom Brady anyway?
COMMENTARY
Well, that changes things.
One win in the books and Jimmy Garoppolo has gone from “1-3, Jimmy G” to “HOLY %$%# THE PATS GOT THE NEW BRADY, DUDE.”
OK, we’ll lay off the gas pedal just a little bit, but Garoppolo was impressive in his team’s win in Arizona last Sunday while future Hall of Famer Tom Brady was sitting out the first game of his NFL-mandated suspension for something about proper oxygen levels. The worst he can do in Brady’s absence is 1-3.
Delfategate, Desmashgate. Or something like that.
Look, we’re probably not going to know what type of quarterback Garoppolo might ultimately be based on his four-game stretch, but we should realize — obviously — that the New England Patriots are the premier team in the AFC. Probably the NFL.
After watching Sunday’s victory over the Cardinals, a team that many believe is primed for a visit to the Super Bowl, that view should have been cemented.
Brady is back in three weeks.
Let’s hope we have a quarterback controversy on our hands.
This week’s picks:
Greg Cote, Miami Herald: Patriots 23, Dolphins 20. “ It was amusing this week seeing Bill Belichick heap praise on the Dolphins and wring hands over how dangerous Miami is. That would be the same Dolphins his Patriots have mostly owned for most of this century. The Dolphins he has beaten seven games in a row and 13 of the past 15 in Foxborough. Did I mention that Ryan Tannehill is 0-4 at New England and been sacked 22 times in the process? OK, that’s the glass half empty, Dolfans. But Belichick has a point, too. Here’s the glass half full: Belichick’s career record vs. Miami is a modest 20-14. Tannehill has pitched for 996 yards in the past three meetings. Jimmy Garoppolo is not Tom Brady. And Rob Gronkowski (hamstring) is iffy to play. [Bonus fact: Jarvis Landry reached 200 catches in his 33rd NFL game, fastest ever]. Do I sense a major upset here? Nope. But neither would it shock me. I think Adam Gase is the smartest Dolphins coach that Belichick has faced in a long time. Fins beat the point spread in Seattle and should do it again Sunday versus the rival and nemesis that plays Lord Voldemort in the AFC East.”
Miami Sun-Sentinal staff: Five of seven pick Patriots.
ESPN: Only Ron Jaworski picks the Dolphins.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Patriots 21, Dolphins 20. “The Dolphins are playing consecutive road games and no must play the Patriots playing their home opener. That’s tough. The Dolphins played the Seahawks well last week, but blew it in the fourth quarter. This will be another tough challenge, even without Tom Brady. It’s tight, but the Patriots wil take it.”
CBS Sports staff: Six out of seven like the Dolphins (New England, -6 1/2).
Foxsports.com staff: All Pats.
Mike Florio, ProFootballTalk: Patriots 17, Dolphins 14. “It’ll be another close-but-no-cigar showing for a Dolphins team that soon will be winning these games.”
Michael David Smith, ProFootballTalk: Patriots 24, Dolphins 20. “Some teams find ways to win, some teams find ways to lose. The Patriots, without Tom Brady, found a way to win at Arizona in Week One. The Dolphins, despite having every opportunity to pull an upset in Seattle, found a way to lose in Week One.”
FiveThirtyEight: New England, 81 percent.
Michael Hurley, CBS Boston: Dolphins (+6.5) over Patriots. “Sports are funny. I understand everyone’s excited about New England. But if every single thing that happened on Sunday night happened, only instead of a low snap/bad hold on the would-be game-winning field goal went perfectly smooth, would they still be as excited?
Obviously, these flubs often decide games, but to go from 9.5-point underdogs to touchdown favorites in the span of a few days is just fishy.
Plus, it’s not like the Dolphins face-planted in Week 1. They nearly went on the road and won in Seattle. Considering the Seahawks lost three games there last year, perhaps being competitive in front of the TWEEELLLLVVEEESSS is becoming less of an accomplishment.
Nevertheless, the Dolphins can at least enter this game feeling good about their chances. It’s not going to be quite as loud in Foxboro as it was in Seattle, anyway.”
It says here: Patriots 24, Dolphins 3. The Pats’ defense shows its teeth. “Jimmy G” chants deafen Foxborough.
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