The New England Patriots appear to have their game in gear. After a slow start, they won three games in a row before playing a competitive game on the road against the Chicago Bears but coming out on the losing side. It was not a season-defining game, and Mike Vrabel's team should be able to pick up the chase on the road against the struggling Miami Dolphins.
Miami is coming off its first win of the season, a victory over the inconsistent and sloppy New York Jets. The Dolphins are not an overly talented team, but first-year head coach Jeff Hafley has a hard-working group that is improving. However, it will be hard for QB Malik Willis to keep up with the production that Drake Maye delivers for the Patriots.
The two teams will meet Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in South Florida at 4:25 p.m. ET.
Patriots vs. Dolphins Odds
Patriots: -7 (-105)
Dolphins: +7 (115)
Over: 43.5 (-108)
Under: 43.5 (-113)
Odds courtesy of DraftKings.
Watch NFL games LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)Patriots vs. Dolphins Key Injuries
New England Patriots
Mike Vrabel's Patriots are fairly healthy, but they would have a much better opportunity to play their best football if RB TreVeyon Henderson can join Rhamondre Stevenson in the backfield and give them a more versatile running attack.
A.J. Brown's inability to practice is a troubling issue for this game. While he is supposed to be the team's best and go-to wideout, his contribution to this point has been quite limited with 9 receptions for 101 yards. The key for the Patriots will be having a productive and healthy Brown for the season's most critical games.
Questionable
RB TreVeyon Henderson (illness)
WR A.J. Brown (knee, ankle)
LB Christian Elliss (chest)
CB Carlton Davis III (neck)
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins won't have rookie OT Kadyn Proctor in the starting lineup for the first time this season. The 6-7, 360-pound Proctor is expected to develop into an outstanding NFL blocker, but he will not play in this game because of a concussion.
Out
OT Kadyn Proctor (concussion)
Questionable
CB JuJu Brents (neck, concussion)
CB Reese Taylor (quad)
Patriots vs. Dolphins Betting Trends
The Patriots have struggled throughout their history when playing the Dolphins in South Florida. New England has an all-time record of 17-40 against the Dolphins in Miami.
While the Patriots won and covered both games against the Dolphins last season, the Dolphins had covered the spread in eight of the previous 10 games in the series, winning straight up in seven of those games. The only defeat was a 23-21 loss as a 3-point underdog on Jan. 1, 2023.
The Patriots come into this game with a record of 4-3, and they are 3-3-1 against the spread. The Dolphins are 1-5 overall and 3-3 ATS. The over has come through in four of the Patriots' seven games, while the Dolphins' have gone over in three of their six games.
Keys to the Patriots vs. Dolphins Matchup
The Patriots are in a position to chase down the Buffalo Bills for first place in the AFC East. After surprising opponents last year and representing the AFC in the Super Bowl, the Patriots are the hunted team this year.
After playing poorly in two of their first three games against the Seahawks and Jaguars, the Patriots have found their stride and Maye has given them the opportunity to put a productive offense on the field every week. He has the arm strength, accuracy and instincts to deliver pinpoint passes to TE Hunter Henry and WR DeMario Douglas should make a huge difference in this game. If Brown can overcome his injuries and compete in this game, it should give New England a big advantage in this game.
Rhamondre Stevenson is a huge factor in the backfield. He can get the job done as a runner between the tackles and as a receiver. If TreVeyon Henderson can also work his way into the lineup, it will give the Patriots another option because of his speed and big-play ability.
The Dolphins are trying to play competitive football with former Packer Malik Willis at quarterback. In addition to his quick release, Willis is capable of getting away from the pass rush. He has rushed for 223 yards, averaging 6.4 yards per carry and scoring 3 touchdowns.
Willis has been targeting wideout Malik Washington and tight end Greg Dulcich to this point in the season. Washington has caught 26 passes for 289 yards, while Dulcich has caught 18 passes for 213 yards.
Patriots vs. Dolphins Prediction and Pick
The Patriots are not going to take the Dolphins lightly. There is a significant disparity of talent between the two teams, but the Patriots have had a difficult time playing the Dolphins on the road for decades. This includes the glory years of the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick partnership.
Mike Vrabel will not let the Patriots ease off the gas pedal in this game. Look for Maye to get off to a sharp start and the Patriots should be able to dictate the pace from the start.
Prediction: Patriots 33, Dolphins 13