What consultants are predicting for Sunday’s Patriots-Dolphins recreation

Lose in Miami, and the commerce deadline turns into a yard sale. 

In the event that they win although, what’s to cease Invoice Belichick from choosing up the telephone to see what it could take to pry Jerry Jeudy out of Denver or Davante Adams out of Las Vegas? Think about his head being on the chopping block to enter the month, and ending it by emphatically stating that the Patriots are nonetheless within the race. 

This weekend determines an entire lot about how this season’s second half will go. Are the Patriots able to emerge, or are they simply the newest instance of the “any given Sunday” cliché? 

Denver follows Kansas Metropolis, then Buffalo once more, and the Jets.  You’d be mocked for suggesting a 12-5 season continues to be on the desk. 

However not by all people. 

This week’s predictions 

Greg Cote, Miami Herald: Dolphins 31, Patriots 17. “Mistake-prone Pats have an upset shot if Mac Jones has a clear sheet, however I like Fins right here. Miami is on a 15-3 run at dwelling (3-0 this season), with the protection appreciably higher within the 3-0-5. And this offense is sweet sufficient to face up to the absence of Hill — though that on prime of shedding De’Von Achane is a blow.”

Globe workers: All six like New England +9.5

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports activities: Dolphins 26, Patriots 21. “The Patriots are coming off a formidable dwelling victory over the Payments the place Mac Jones confirmed some life. The Dolphins misplaced to the Eagles Sunday night time in a recreation the place the offense scored only one landing. New England slowed Miami within the first assembly. That very same technique will maintain them on this recreation. It’s nearer than you suppose.” 

CBS Sports activities workers: 5 of eight take Miami (-9). 

Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Instances: Dolphins 27, Patriots 21. “New England bought a uncommon confidence increase with a win over Buffalo, and Miami scored solely 17 factors in a loss to Philadelphia. The Patriots stayed inside a landing within the first recreation with the Dolphins this season.”

Michael Hurley, CBS Boston: New England (+9.5). “Don’t look now, however the Patriots are HOT! OK, not likely. However! With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle nursing accidents, it’ll be laborious for Miami to go full-speed-ahead towards a Patriots protection that truly did an honest job towards the full-powered Dolphins again in Week 2. And if final week was any indication, Invoice O’Brien and Mac Jones might need truly found out the right way to run a purposeful offense behind that shaky offensive line.” 

Jimmy Kempski, Philly Voice: Dolphins (-9.5). “When the Dolphins bought punched within the mouth earlier this season towards the Payments, they responded with a cushty win towards a foul group (the Giants) at dwelling the next week. I think about they’ll do the identical this week after their offense was shut down on Sunday Night time Soccer in Philly.”

ESPN workers: Seth Wickersham is sticking with the Pats for a second week in a row. Everyone else is just not. 

Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports activities: Dolphins (-9.5). “I don’t actually consider the Patriots figured all of it out earlier than a win over the Payments. It’s simply that the Payments haven’t been superb recently. The Dolphins may not be capable to beat elite opponents but, however they do usually deal with dangerous groups with ease.” 

Sheil Kapadia, The Ringer: Miami (-9.5). “I can’t fairly work out this line. It feels excessive. The Dolphins and Patriots performed in Week 2, and it was a aggressive recreation that Miami received 24-17. Now the Dolphins could possibly be with out the participant (Hill) who makes the entire offense go, and they’re a 9.5-point favourite. I’m tempted to take the Patriots, however I don’t wish to overreact to at least one spectacular displaying. They appeared like one of many worst groups within the NFL by means of the primary six weeks of the season. I may simply remorse this one, however give me the Dolphins.”

MMQB workers: Conor Orr goes with the Pats. The opposite six go along with the ‘Fins. 

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting Information: Dolphins 31, Patriots 24. “The Patriots’ offense discovered loads of life with Mac Jones throwing downfield within the upset of the Payments, due to the operating recreation offering an enormous spark. They hung in there, shedding by a landing (24-17) within the Week 2 assembly in New England. Miami is extra dynamic offensively on the highway, however with unsure harm standing defensively, Jones and his key talent gamers can keep scorching sufficient to make it a bit fascinating once more.”

Invoice Bender, Sporting Information: Dolphins 31, Patriots 19. “Invoice Belichick earned his three hundredth victory in Week 7, and now the Patriots head to Miami – the place the Dolphins are coming off a loss to Philadelphia. Miami is a special group at dwelling. Miami is 3-0 ATS at dwelling and so they have received these video games by a mean of 28.7 factors per recreation. Tua Tagovailoa has a 132.3 passer score at dwelling, too. That’s plenty of factors to put on the Pats, however Miami has received the final three dwelling conferences by 10.7 ppg. Belief it. “

Mike Florio, Professional Soccer Discuss: Dolphins 27, Patriots 20. “With out Tyreek Hill, the Patriots ought to be capable to maintain it shut.” 

Chris Simms, Professional Soccer Discuss: Dolphins 24, Patriots 20. 

It says right here: Dolphins 31, Patriots 24. Final week confirmed one thing actual for the group that leads the NFL in ethical victories. Add one other one to the listing (that may be three, by my depend).