Many games on the NFL slate this week have little to be determined. That's not exactly the case in the contest between the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins. The game is scheduled for a 4:25 p.m. start time and it will be televised live on CBS. Currently the odds for the game have New England favored by 10.5 points.
A win by the Patriots could ensure them a first round bye, if either Denver or Houston lost today. It's a long shot to think they're both going to get beat, but if the Patriots don't take care of business with a win, it won't matter anyway. The Dolphins aren't in the playoff picture, although they were at one point this season.
It's going to be chilly and nasty in Foxboro today and with the Dolphins having nothing to play for, it's hard to imagine them really getting up and ready for this game for an entire 60 minutes. Their defense has been pretty solid of late, but rest assured that Tom Brady and crew will be looking to hang some points on Miami today.
Brady will have to look out for the pass rush of the Dolphins, which has 41 sacks this season. Yet, the secondary has been pieced together and isn't very good. If the front four doesn't pressure Brady every snap, it's going to be a long game for Miami.
Note that New England, a heavy chalk in this game, is just 5-17 against the number in the last 22 games where they were a double-digit favorite. Rob Gronkowski hasn't played since breaking his arm late in a 59-24 win over the Colts on Nov. 18. Right now he's listed as "questionable" but there has been some talk this week that he will get some time on the field.
Miami's offense is the key to the spread in this game. The Dolphins haven't scored 24 points in any of the last eight games. New England has averaged 39 points per game in their last eight games. Plus the Patriots were flat last week, so you know that they want to be sharp in this one.
The defense for New England has been better this season compared to year's past. Miami rookie Ryan Tannehill has gone four straight games without an interception and has thrown four TD passes over the last two weeks and Reggie Bush needs only 40 more for his second straight 1,000-yard season.
It's a lot of points to be laying, even with New England, so tread with caution in this game. They're going to be playing for a possible No. 2 overall seed in the AFC so there is incentive for the Pats in this one. We think they get it done in impressive fashion.
Free Pick: New England 34, Miami 17
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