Dolphins vs. Patriots Week 1 Prediction
The Tom Brady-less Patriots will take on their AFC East counterparts the Dolphins in Week 1 on Sunday and are laying over a touchdown at the betting window. Will New England cover or will Miami build on what it did in Week 17 last season?
Game Snapshot
453 Miami Dolphins (+6.5) at 454 New England Patriots (-6.5); o/u 43
NFL Week 2, Sunday, September 13, 2020
CBS, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Miami Dolphins DFS Spin
Dolphins head coach Brian Flores said QB Ryan Fitzpatrick would start Week 1 against the Patriots. The team telegraphed this decision last month. Flores said last week that QB Tua Tagovailoa’s recovery from offseason hip surgery would play a factor in whether he’d play in the early season, even though the rookie displayed good mobility throughout training camp. Tagovailoa would likely get a shot to start once the Dolphins’ season is in the tank and coaches want the rookie to get some game reps. For now, the Beard will once again fling it to wideouts DeVante Parker and Preston Williams, both of whom thrived through portions of the 2019 season. Fitzpatrick and the Dolphins should be forced into plenty of pass-heavy game script, making the wily veteran a cheap source of points in superflex and 2-QB leagues.
New England Patriots DFS Spin
ESPN’s Mike Reiss writes that the Patriots “figure to ease” Sony Michel (foot) “into the mix”. Michel has only practiced for two weeks following his offseason foot surgery, an injury that typically carries re-injury risk if rushed back. The Patriots would be wise to keep Michel on a pitch count in the season opener against the Dolphins, but Damien Harris (hand) landing on injured reserve makes that slightly harder to pull off. Michel likely starts, plays on high-value rushing downs, and loses some rushing snaps to Rex Burkhead while James White handles all receiving work. The home matchup is mouthwatering for Michel. As always, the question mark is his health. When asked about it, Michel said, “Every day is a work in progress… I am feeling good. I like where I’m at and I am headed in the right direction.”
Dolphins vs. Patriots Betting Prediction
Cam Newton will start for the Patriots and as long as he stays healthy, he should be effective running whatever offense Josh McDaniels builds around him. But it’ll also take time and with the Pats losing multiple defenders to either free agency or players opting out because of concerns over the coronavirus, it’s unlikely New England’s defense is as strong as it was in the first half last year. The Dolphins were one of the most improved teams in the league during the second half of 2019 and the last time we saw Brian Flores’ squad, they were pulling off one of the biggest upsets of the season against the Patriots in Week 17. Miami largely has the same roster as it did on that late December day and with all the change New England endured this offseason, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Dolphins pull off another upset this Sunday.
NFL WEEK 1 BETTING PREDICTION: MIAMI DOLPHINS +6