Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots Odds, Prediction & Pick
Dolphins vs. Patriots Odds
| Dolphins Odds | -2.5 |
| Patriots Odds | +2.5 |
| Over/Under | 46.5 |
| Date | Sun, Sep. 17 |
| Time | 8:20 p.m. |
| TV | NBC |
Sunday’s 13-game NFL slate will conclude with an AFC East divisional showdown between the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football. Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. EST on NBC.
Ahead of kickoff, oddsmakers have priced the Dolphins as 2.5-point favorites on the spread in this matchup. The total for this contest is set at over/under 46.5 points.
Let’s take a deeper look at the matchup to see where NFL bettors can find value at sportsbooks in this contest.
Miami Dolphins
Tagovailoa, MVP front-runner, leads Miami offense
Last weekend, Tua Tagovailoa had one of his best games as a professional, throwing for nearly 500 passing yards and leading his team to a come-from-behind victory on the road. He excelled from a clean pocket, completing 21-of-31 pass attempts for three touchdowns. He also did a good job avoiding risky throws when under pressure, committing only one turnover-worthy play despite throwing the ball 45 times. Tagovailoa, when healthy, is capable of being one of the league’s top producers in Mike McDaniel’s electric offense. He has a tough matchup tonight against one of the best defensive masterminds in NFL history, but he has a high floor from week to week.
New-look defense making plays when it counts
Nobody would call Vic Fangio’s debut in Miami a wild success considering he allowed 34 points. However, there was undeniably a different air to this side of the ball in Week 1, culminating with a well-timed blitz on the Chargers’ final drive to end the game. Cornerback Xavien Howard and safety Brandon Jones were both full participants in Friday’s practice and did not carry an injury designation into Sunday. Expect this unit to only get better as they have more time to gel together in a new system.
New England Patriots
Offensive line troubles in Foxborough
Ahead of kickoff on Sunday, the Patriots have listed center David Andrews, left tackle Trent Brown, and right guard Sidney Sow as questionable. Andrews, Brown, and Sow each played every single offensive snap at their respective position in Week 1, which presents an obvious concern if these players are unable to suit up against the Dolphins. Early in the season, offensive line continuity is particularly important – the status of these lineman is worth monitoring right up until kickoff.
Injury-plagued New England defense
New England is also banged up on the defensive side of the ball heading into this matchup, listing cornerback Jonathan Jones as questionable after not participating in practice on Friday. Jones appears more likely to sit than play on Sunday, which leaves the Patriots thin in the secondary unit with cornerback Jack Jones already on injured reserve.
Dolphins vs. Patriots – Picks & Predictions
In the NFL, when a team is missing one or two offensive lineman, it can lead to an extremely rough day for the offense. In the rare situations when a team is missing three offensive lineman…well, things usually do not go well. Just ask CJ Stroud how things went earlier today against the Indianapolis Colts. Hint: He was sacked six times. Trust Belichick to do enough to scheme together a good defensive game plan to keep Tagovailoa somewhat in check. Take the under in this prime time affair.
PICK: Under 46.5 (-110, Fanatics Sportsbook)