Dolphins vs. Patriots Week 1 Prediction
Mac Jones will make his Patriots debut on Sunday when New England hosts AFC East rivals the Dolphins at 4:25 p.m. ET. Despite the new faces, will the Patriots continue to have ATS success versus the Dolphins?
Game Snapshot
473 Miami Dolphins (+3) at 474 New England Patriots (-3); o/u 43.5
4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, September 12, 2021
NFL Week 1 Regular Season
Miami Dolphins DFS Spin
A Dolphins team source claims owner Stephen Ross is not “forcing team decisions” and has “faith” in starting QB Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins started hitting up reporters after Mike Florio’s Tuesday report that Ross “really wants” Deshaun Watson. The time was certainly right for a denial, but it is about as weak as possible. Of course the owner isn’t “forcing” team moves. He is also undoubtedly making his opinion known, and you ignore the owner at your own peril. Ross has always struggled to stay out of the Dolphins’ football decision-making process, and his desperation to win a Super Bowl has led to many unfortunate, desperate moves.
New England Patriots DFS Spin
No. 15 overall pick Mac Jones has won the Patriots’ starting quarterback job. Jones had already been gaining momentum when Cam Newton missed almost a week of practice following a COVID testing “mix up.” He then hit the accelerator and won the job outright while Newton was on the sideline. Newton was a surprising release on Tuesday morning, locking in Jones as starter and Brian Hoyer as the No. 2. The Patriots’ projected offense will look much different under Jones — we are not going to be seeing any QB keepers in the red zone — but this will remain a run-heavy attack. It will also now have a quarterback capable of involving the Patriots’ army of new arrivals, from Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne to Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith. Jakobi Meyers projects as Jones’ top early-season target. Even if Damien Harris and the running game form the early-year backbone of the offense, Jones is worth a pick in all superflex leagues, and will be streamable in re-draft.
Dolphins vs. Patriots Betting Prediction
The Dolphins are 1-8 against the spread in their last nine games in New England, while the home team is 16-5 against the number in the last 21 meetings between these two teams. The Dolphins are also 2-6 against the spread in their last eight games in September, while the Patriots have covered the number in four of their last five games played in Week 1.
NFL WEEK 1 BETTING PREDICTION: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS -3