The Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots meet in Sunday Night Football week 2 NFL action at Gillette Stadium. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
Miami Dolphins Betting Preview
The Miami Dolphins look for back-to-back road wins after upsetting the Chargers in week 1. The Dolphins look for their third 2-0 start to a season in the last 10 years. Tua Tagovailoa is completing 62.2 percent of his passes for 466 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle have combined for 293 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, while Durham Smythe has 3 receptions. The Miami Dolphins ground game is averaging 70 yards per contest, and Raheem Mostert leads the way with 37 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, Miami is allowing 34 points and 433 yards per game. Jevon Holland leads the Miami Dolphins with 14 tackles, Zach Sieler has 1 sack and Xavien Howard has 1 pass deflection.
Miami Dolphins Team Facts
- The road team has won each of the Dolphins’ last six Week 2 games.
- The Dolphins have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games against AFC East opponents.
- The Dolphins have scored the first touchdown in four of their last five games against the Patriots.
- The Dolphins have lost the first quarter in three of their last four road games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Dolphins have lost the first half in eight of their last nine Week 2 games against AFC opponents.
Miami Dolphins Player Prop Facts
- Jaylen Waddle ranked 1st amongst qualified players for Yards Per Reception (18.1) last season
New England Patriots Betting Preview
The New England Patriots look for a bounce back showing after losing a heartbreaker to the Eagles opening weekend. The Patriots haven’t started a season 0-2 since 2001, a year they actually won the Super Bowl. Mac Jones is completing 64.8 percent of his passes for 316 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. Rhamondre Stevenson and Kendrick Bourne have combined for 128 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, while Hunter Henry has 5 receptions. The New England Patriots ground game is averaging 76 yards per contest, and Ezekiel Elliott leads the way with 29 yards on 7 carries. Defensively, New England is allowing 25 points and 251 yards per game. Ja’Whaun Bentley leads the New England Patriots with 9 tackles, Matthew Judon has 1 sack and Jabrill Peppers has 1 pass deflection.
New England Patriots Team Facts
- The favorites have won each of the Patriots’ last 11 games.
- The Patriots have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games played as underdogs on the East Coast.
- The Patriots have lost the first quarter in each of their last five home games in September.
- The Patriots have lost the first half in each of their last four games as home underdogs.
- The Patriots have scored the first touchdown in each of their last four Week 2 games.
New England Patriots Player Prop Facts
- Ezekiel Elliott was the only player in the NFL to record a touchdown in eight consecutive games last season
Matchup/League Facts
- The Patriots were the only team in the NFL to rank top 5 for both interceptions and fumbles recovered last season
- The Patriots ranked 1st in the NFL in punt return yards per game (24.6) last season
- The Dolphins ranked 1st in the AFC East for passing yards per game last season (265.4)
- The Dolphins ranked 31st in the NFL in average kickoff return (18.9 yards) last season
Randy’s Pick
The Patriots as home dogs is appealing, as they’re still a tough club defensively, and they haven’t started a season 0-2 since 2001. The first Shrek was in theaters the last time the Pats started a season 0-2. With that said, I’m still not a believer in Mac Jones being a reliable quarterback, and the running game didn’t do much against the Eagles. The Dolphins are scary explosive offensively, and the defense should make strides the more comfortable they get under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. We also have the fact Tua is 4-0 in his career against the Patriots and this season may be the best version we’ve seen of the Miami QB as he’s an early betting favorite for MVP at some books. I’d need an extra point or two to consider the Pats. Under a field goal? Give me the Dolphins for a rare 2-0 start.
