ESPN Patriots-Dolphins prediction roundup

[jmt57]

Andy Hart of Patriots Football Weekly lists his keys to the game as being Brandon Marshall, Miami's running game, offensive balance for the Pats, NE playing well and winning on the road, Brady in the 2nd half, and better performance by the Pats' special teams.

Official Patriots Football Weekly Blog Blog Archive From the Hart: Prime time Dolphins Friday Six-Pack

This week’s game has me torn. I felt pretty confident with my picks in the first three weeks, even though I wasn’t exactly prescient. My mind tells me this week’s matchup is a tough one. I think the Dolphins are a team that does a lot of stuff well, but nothing at an elite level. They can control a game and beat you in a lot of ways. Conversely the Patriots have a supposed elite offense and very much suspect defense. That’s two very different styles of team makeup. My mind says that Miami will control the game at home and take advantage of the Patriots defensive struggles. Sure, Brady and Co. will score, but not enough. My mind, which is what I have to go with, thinks this game will be something like 27-20 Dolphins.

But my gut is telling me something very different. My gut says the Patriots young, athletic defense will bounce back with a couple turnovers this week that would make a huge difference on the road. We might see the swarming, speed-based action we saw early on against the Bengals. I can’t explain my feeling. My gut tells me that Chad Henne will make a couple mistakes. My gut tells me that Randy Moss and Wes Welker will put up one of those early-season, warm-weather passing shows that they’re so capable of. My gut says the Patriots could shock people with a 31-13 win.

 

[jmt57]

Jeff Howe from NESN does not sound very optimistic about the Pats' chances Monday night.

Patriots, Dolphins to Meet on Monday Night With Divisional Implications on Line - Kicking Off - NESN.com

Until the Patriots prove they can beat a legitimate team on the road, it’s tough to feel optimistic about their chances. They’ve lost seven of their eight true road games since the start of 2009 (not including the victory against the Bucs in London), and they’ve experienced the same types of second-half issues.

Miami is a solid team with a great coaching staff and a balanced offense that will be tough for the Patriots to contain, but the Dolphins remain a work in progress on defense. There is a good chance this will be a fairly high-scoring game, which bodes well for the Patriots. However, they’re going to have to prove they can finish a road opponent.

 

[Patjew]

Andy Hart of Patriots Football Weekly lists his keys to the game as being Brandon Marshall, Miami's running game, offensive balance for the Pats, NE playing well and winning on the road, Brady in the 2nd half, and better performance by the Pats' special teams.

Not to be a jerk, but what else is there?

 

[Joker]

Hey...Jimmuh Johnson got thrown off survivor...good omen???

 

[jmt57]

Peter King doesn't think much of the Pats chances for this game - or for this season, for that matter.

Peter King's NFL Week 4 game-by-game predictions - Peter King - SI.com

Until the Patriots improve their pass defense (foes are completing 69 percent of their throws), they're the third-best team in the division.
Dolphins 30, Patriots 23

 

[102 Pat]

I wish it was monday night already, it's feels like it's going to take forever for the kickoff to get here...

 

[thechris]

I have a feeling that Miami wins big.

 

[JoeShmoe]

Brandon Marshall vs Darius Butler

we are going to have to score 35 points+ to win the game

 

[PatriotsInGA]

Brandon Marshall vs Darius Butler

we are going to have to score 35 points+ to win the game

No faith in Arrington, eh?

 

[NYJetsfan]

Brandon Marshall will get shut down, Henne will be sacked twice and the Patriots will win by a TD.

 

[Joker]

Thanx..but actually...historically Brady just does not handle that venue well at all

 

[goheels22002]

I have one word for you: bet-the-over.

You can't just put hyphens between a bunch of words and call it one word. So I have three words for you Patjew: Take the over!

I like the uncertainty all over the media predictions about this game - much more interesting than last week. My feeling is that one of these weeks, maybe this one, the D will click into place. Defense at this level is so much a function of communications and recognition. Last week the Pats looked very tough in the Red Zone. Miami is a good team to mature against - a mediocre QB and O-line that can be beaten.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

You can't just put hyphens between a bunch of words and call it one word. So I have three words for you Patjew: Take the over!

I like the uncertainty all over the media predictions about this game - much more interesting than last week. My feeling is that one of these weeks, maybe this one, the D will click into place. Defense at this level is so much a function of communications and recognition. Last week the Pats looked very tough in the Red Zone. Miami is a good team to mature against - a mediocre QB and O-line that can be beaten.

I do not think the D will all of a sudden click into place. The D will get better and better, but that means less than 30 points a game to Buffalo, which means it will take a long gradual time frame. We have so many rookies and 2nd year guys - we could at any time have two guys on the DL, three linebackers and 3 DBs all in their first 2 years, that is 8 out of 11 guys. WOW. I do not think there will not be a huge "click into place" game as much as I hope I am wrong. It will be gradual - baby steps - by December Buffalo will only score 17 points - Buffalo at 17 points is still a lot more than the 6 or 9 the Jests will allow to Buffalo late in the season.

 

[SuperPatsFan]

Dolphins favored by 1 now.

 

[Patjew]

You can't just put hyphens between a bunch of words and call it one word. So I have three words for you Patjew: Take the over!

I like the uncertainty all over the media predictions about this game - much more interesting than last week. My feeling is that one of these weeks, maybe this one, the D will click into place. Defense at this level is so much a function of communications and recognition. Last week the Pats looked very tough in the Red Zone. Miami is a good team to mature against - a mediocre QB and O-line that can be beaten.

Taketheover.

What I'd like to see is for the defense to play and react fast. They've been on their heels the last couple weeks, and that never looks good.

 

[Dutchmaster617]

I can't start a new topic yet but what do you guys think, over/under Brady 300 yards?

He hasn't hit that mark yet but in all 3 games he was on pace through the first half, it is shocking to see him so low in yards. (250 per game)