To say the Dan Campbell era of Miami Dolphins football has started off well is an understatement. The Fins have clocked both the Texans and the Titans in consecutive weeks. However, there is a massive challenge lying in the weeds, as the behemoths of the AFC East and in the NFL are awaiting. The New England Patriots are probably the toughest team to try to prepare for on a short week, and Campbell has to figure it all out in a hurry.
WHEN THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS HAVE THE BALL
Tom Brady looked human against the Jets last week, and the key to slowing him down is clearly simple. You have to get in his face and knock him on the ground. The Dolphins have the men to do that, and they've finally showed a bit of a mean streak with Ndamukong Suh and Cameron Wake getting into the act. If these guys are creating pressure by themselves and Miami doesn't have to commit six or seven men into a pass rush, there's a great opportunity to slow New England down.
The Patriots have had a lot of drops these last couple weeks. Julian Edelman clearly isn't right after hurting his finger two weeks ago versus Indianapolis, and he and Danny Amendola had a heck of a time catching the ball against the Jets.
However, the reason the Pats cover so many games is because of their style of play. With Dion Lewis out, there's really no desire to run the ball, even in the most obvious of rushing situations as we saw last week. Brady not only led the team in passing, but he was the top rusher too, albeit with just 15 yards on four carries.
Live bettors have to love it, too. The Pats are right on the verge of being an undefeated ATS team this year, knowing that they almost covered games they probably had no business covering against Indy and New York in consecutive weeks.
WHEN THE MIAMI DOLPHINS HAVE THE BALL
Ryan Tannehill has been efficient. Lamar Miller has been a bull with the ball in his hands. Wide receivers are making things happen when they get their numbers called. And it's all good right now for the Miami offense.
The Patriots are still weak at corner, something that both Andrew Luck and even Ryan Fitzpatrick to a lesser extent exploited in recent weeks. We're not much for the Miami receivers, but Jarvis Landry has proven he can play with the big boys, if nothing else.
The time is going to come when the Dolphins have to get a little more creative, though. Since Campbell has taken this club over, it's been all about the safe, short passes. That might work for a little while against New England, but eventually when you run too many plays, you make mistakes. Mistakes are punished to the maximum extent by this New England offense, so live bettors have to have their heads on a swivel and be ready to pounce when the opportunity arises.
TREND TO TRACK
The Dolphins have let things get out of hand in their last few visits to Foxboro. They were beaten 41-13 in this building last year, marking three straight times they were beaten by double digits.
Even though New England is 3-0 SU and ATS in these last three home games against the Fins, Brady has at least been mortal. He hasn't thrown for more than two TDs in a game against Miami since his 517-yard game back in September 2011.
BookMaker opened the spread for this Thursday game at -8 in favor of the New England Patriots. The NFL odds total surfaced at 51.5. Minute-by-minute spreads, totals and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! The game between the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins is scheduled for Thursday, October 29, 2015, at 8:30 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium. The game will be broadcast on CBS and the NFL Network.
