Dolphins at Patriots Under 42
I don’t see the visiting Dolphins scoring many points against a deep and talented Patriots secondary. The Dolphins are breaking in four new offensive line starters. Their offensive line is seen by many as being the worst in the NFL. Plodding Jordan Howard is the poster child for Unders. Miami is learning a new scheme with its first-year retread offensive coordinator, Chan Gailey, who had been out of coaching the previous three seasons.
Bill Belichick knows his AFC East Division foes. The Under has cashed in nine of the Patriots’ last 13 division games. Journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick has horrible numbers going against Belichick’s Patriots – 3-10 record, 21-to-22 touchdown-to-interception ratio and 6.4 adjusted yards per attempt in 13 starts. Fitzpatrick is a rhythm passer and he’s not going to get comfortable facing the deepest secondary in the league.
New England’s skill level players are way down. Cam Newton is rusty and didn’t even get to play a preseason game. He’s learning a new offense, too. The Patriots’ best weapons are aging Juilian Edelman, who could be far less effective without Tom Brady, and James White, who is more dangerous as a pass-catcher out of the backfield than as a runner.
Brian Flores is a defensive coach. He served 15 years in the Patriots’ organization under Belichick. He beat his mentor in Week 17 last season with a far inferior defense than he has now. The Dolphins added a number of former Patriots, including versatile linebacker Kyle Van Noy.
Both defenses are well-coached and should know their opponent well. The intensity level should be at a fever pitch, too, with Belichick seeking revenge and Flores going against his former team. Nobody wants to get embarrassed.
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