Pitiful Picks: Can the Dolphins pull off a big upset against the Patriots?
Patriots -7 over Dolphins
I hate doing this guys, I really do. BUT, with the Dolphins having a new starting left tackle and a new right tackle, I’m afraid the Patriots will keep the sack party going in the Dolphins backfield. I HOPE I’M WRONG. But, the Dolphins aren’t getting much of a pass rush, which is what is needed to stop Tom Brady. The Dolphins are also not playing that well in the secondary. Oh yeah, and Gronk is back and we know how well the Dolphins can cover a tight end. Add to all of that the fact that this game is in Foxboro and I think the Dolphins fall for the fourth straight time. Prediction: Patriots 31 Dolphins 17
Dolphins +7 over Patriots (Miami Jules)
We now know that Bryant Mckinnie will start on the offensive line. The other injury hampered starters are a question mark. We have a better idea who will line up on defense, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to see our best play makers playing at 100% or if they will be able to stay in the game for all 4 quarters. Wake and Ellerbe were limited in practice at one point during the week and these nagging injuries, although they may feel better in practice, can flare up in a hurry during the game. We are just not sure at this point.
Tom Brady has been limited in practice too, as has been Amendola and Talib, arguably, the Pats best players on both sides of the ball. There are too many questions on either side to get a sense on how to best preview the game. One thing is becoming clear as game time nears, the team calling the best plays and whose players execute best will win. But then, that’s the same as saying, the team who scores the most points wins.
The Bengals’ defense gave Brady all he could handle and the Patriots’ first loss of the year, based on this premise, it would then be a given that a Coyle defense would yield similar results. This would be the obvious thinking, but the Dolphins’ inability to cover TE’s, reminds us to not take too much for granted
The loss against the Buffalo Bills last Sunday, might’ve jolted Miami’s management and coaching staff enough to bring about some change, and more change than to just the offensive line. I believe if Miami is to win this game, they will have to win it on offense, Miami’s offense not New England’s lack thereof. Hopefully the Dolphins’ offensive line will take on their blocking assignments as if their jobs depend on it, and they will create running lanes for Thomas and Miller to run through.
I also hope that Sherman will stick with the run and not abandon it after just a couple of unproductive plays, especially if nursing a small lead in the 4th quarter. I hope Coyle’s game plan calls for the defense to cover the TE aggressively and bring in the A gap blitz while making Brady have to rely on his wide receivers in order to win the game. Prediction: Miami 24 New England 21
