Dolphins vs Patriots Prediction, Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds and Picks
Playoff Spots on Line in AFC East Showdown
High Stakes
The directive is clear for the New England Patriots – win their final two games, including Sunday’s AFC East home game vs. the Miami Dolphins – and they are in the playoffs.
An argument can be made that these Patriots are not playoff-caliber, especially given their play the last two weeks, but the fact they are still alive says they are not alone in that regard.
Bill Belichick’s squad fell into a 22-0 hole last week vs. the Cincinnati Bengals but still had a chance to go ahead in the final minutes before another turnover doomed the comeback.
“When we are focused and locked in, it looks good. But when we are not, it doesn’t,” said linebacker Matthew Judon, who has 15½ sacks but only 2½ in the last four weeks as the team has gone 1-3. “That’s who we are. I mean at this point, you showed your hand.”
Since 2000, the home team has dominated this series with the Patriots going 17-5 at Gillette Stadium and the Dolphins posting a 14-9 mark at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Dolphins’ late-season swoon has been even worse than that of the Patriots. They have dropped four straight games, which came on the heels of winning five in a row.
Miami, which has won two of the three games at Gillette Stadium since Tom Brady departed New England, led 20-13 at the half last week against visiting Green Bay before three second-half interceptions by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa proved too much to overcome.
Tagovailoa, who is 4-0 against the Patriots, was placed into the concussion protocol following the game vs the Packers, but it is too early to tell if he will be available for this game
Let’s check the latest NFL odds, stats, injury reports, and NFL lines for Dolphins vs Patriots. We’ve plenty of Vegas NFL odds and NFL week 17 picks for you to consider.
Dolphins vs Patriots Betting Lines
Bourne makes most of rare opportunity
Kendrick Bourne’s role in the Patriots’ offense has been mystifying, to say the least, but one thing for certain is that when the speedy wide receiver plays, he usually performs rather well.
Such was the case last week when the former San Francisco 49er turned nine targets into six receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown, including a 32-yard reception and 29-yard run.
Those nine targets were four more than he has gotten in any game this season and too often (six times), he has received just one target despite being the team’s most explosive receiver last season, when he registered 55 catches for 700 yards and five touchdowns.
Bridgewater May Need to Step Up for Dolphins
The Dolphins’ chances of victory go way down if Tagovailoa can’t play, a fact that was proven by three straight losses in games in which Teddy Bridgewater and Skylar Thompson played.
Bridgewater is a solid backup, but he has struggled when called upon this season, throwing as many interceptions (three) as touchdowns and taking six sacks in 60 drop-backs.
Both are troubling traits going up against a defense like the Patriots, who rank second in the league in takeaways per game (1.7), including 16 interceptions, and in sacks (50).
Dolphins vs Patriots Game Injuries
Dolphins vs Patriots Head-to-Head
The four straight wins for the Dolphins over the Patriots have pushed their lead in the series to 60-54, but they are just 19-37 in games played in New England.
Dolphins vs Patriots Game Information
- Game: Dolphins vs Patriots
- Date/Time: Sunday, Jan. 1, 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Mass.
- How to watch Dolphins vs Patriots?: CBS
Dolphins vs Patriots Live stream: NFL Game Pass
Dolphins vs Patriots Weather Conditions
56°, 5-10 mph wind, 50% chance of rain, outdoor stadium, turf field
Dolphins vs Patriots Picks & Prediction
Predicted Score Patriots 17, Dolphins 16
- Worth Betting on the Moneyline?
If Tagovailoa starts, the Dolphins will likely come away with the victory. Otherwise, the Patriots are the pick here. The -140 odds are not worth the risk in this situation.
- Worth Betting ATS?
The Dolphins are receiving 2½ points from the Patriots, who are 7-7-1 against the spread this season. The Dolphins are 4-7 against the spread in their last 11 games in December or January, 6-4 ATS otherwise.
- Worth Betting on the Totals?
Four of the last five games in the series went under the total. The Dolphins averaged 16 points without Tagovailoa while the Patriots scored more than 16 points just once in the last four meetings. The under is 5-2 when New England covers the spread, 4-4 otherwise.
The odds and predictions in the article are based on the time of writing and publication. They may differ as to when the actual event takes place.
