What experts are predicting for Sunday’s Dolphins-Patriots game
For the first time this season, the Patriots enter a game as the favorite.
COMMENTARY
One of the writers below suggests that we will witness what might be the worst team in the NFL when the 1-3 Miami Dolphins arrive at Gillette Stadium to take on the 1-3 Patriots.
He isn’t talking about New England.
You thought you were whisked back to the stone ages of football watching the Patriots try and score this last month? Without Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins have been even worse. Miami has scored the fewest points thus far in the NFL (45 to the Patriots’ 52) and has averaged a measly 11.3 points per game, almost two fewer than New England (13).
Which raises two points; No. 1: Sunday’s game is going to be a laborious bore. No. 2: The Buffalo Bills might have the AFC East wrapped up by Veterans Day.
As the internal noise in the locker room starts to filter its way out, sharing frustrations about head coach Jerod Mayo, Jacoby Brissett’s inability to find anybody more than four yards downfield, at least one major defensive lapse per game, and the bubble boy rookie quarterback sitting on the sideline, it’s difficult not to consider the Patriots the worst team in a league that has a lot of bad, boring ones. Remember when the NFL tried to sell you on watching the likes of Carolina-Cleveland on a Thursday night? Hell, you can do that every Sunday now. (And can we talk about the ridiculous decision to have the local CBS affiliates saddled with that laborious Jets-Broncos game last weekend? Yuck.)
There has been a lot of good football this season thus far, much of it in prime time to the suits’ delights.
However, on Sunday afternoon, Patriot fans will be treated to watching two worst-scoring teams in the NFL. When do the season ticket renewal letters start going out?
This week’s predictions:
Globe staff: Four of six take New England (-1).
Greg Cote, Miami Herald: Dolphins 24, Patriots 16. “Upset! Sort of. A scintillating afternoon is likely in store as the NFL’s two lowest-scoring teams meet. First one to 10 wins? Based on points averages, this game’s over/under would be 24….I like Miami for the mini-upset here even on a short week after that home abomination Monday vs. Tennessee. Huntley only was signed Sept. 16, and another week learning a complicated Dolphins offense will pay dividends. Snoop also is a run threat, a refreshing, welcome wrinkle. Fins have beaten Pats two straight times and six of past seven and that trend will continue.”
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Patriots 21, Dolphins 16. “This game features two bad teams, but the Dolphins are the surprise there. Without Tua Tagovailoa, they are anemic on offense. The defense isn’t good right now either. The Pats have struggled the past few games, but back home they will play better. They win it.”
CBS Sports staff: Seven of the eight like the Pats (-1).
NFL.com staff: Three of five like New England.
Jimmy Kempski, PhillyVoice: Patriots (-1). “I can’t believe I’m picking the Patriots to win a game, but the Dolphins might be the worst team in the NFL.”
Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times: Patriots 16, Dolphins 13. “The Patriots got smoked by San Francisco, and the Dolphins got smoked by Tennessee. With a healthy quarterback, Miami has the talent to beat anyone — but quarterback is a liability at this point.”
Vic Tafur, The Athletic: Patriots (-1). “Tyreek Hill tried to be a good soldier, talking up new quarterback Tyler Huntley to the sideline reporter before the game Monday night. Huntley, as anyone could guess from his days with the Ravens, was awful. It’s amazing how badly Mike McDaniel handled the QB situation, knowing Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion history. From awful backups, to trading for awful backups, to awful game plans. Hill ranks 66th among 71 receivers with a -0.38 EPA per target rate and a 0.1 EPA per reception rate in the past two weeks, and it’s no surprise that the Dolphins are 0-4 against the spread. The Dolphins defense is not bad, and the Patriots block for Jacoby Brissett like they don’t like him, but backing the Dolphins at this point is like lighting a candle in church.”
ESPN staff: Eight of 11 go with the Pats.
MMQB staff: Split.
Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News: Dolphins 24, Patriots 13. “The Dolphins should be using Tyler Huntley again to lead a run-heavy attack from quarterback. He can also revive the success of throwing downfield to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle against a Patriots’ defense that can give up plenty of big pass plays. De’Von Achane also gets into the fun with a few long runs.”
Bill Bender, The Sporting News: Dolphins 20, Patriots 16. “The Patriots are sticking with Jacoby Brissett, who hasn’t been able to generate much offense for a team that averages a league-low 13 points per game. Miami turned to Tyler Huntley to kick-start an offense that has struggled without Tua Tagovailoa (head). This will be a defensive struggle, and we will take the team with a little more offensive firepower, even coming off a short week. The Dolphins have won two of the past three meetings at New England.”
Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk: Patriots 16, Dolphins 9.
Chris Simms, Pro Football Talk: Patriots 17, Dolphins 14.
It says here: Dolphins 23, Patriots 10. On the bright side, maybe the home crowd will get to see Drake Maye do mop-up by the third quarter.
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