NFL Football Betting Preview
Miami Dolphins (3-4) at New England Patriots (5-2)
Sunday November 8th, 1:00PM Eastern

Betus.com betting line – Patriots -10 ½, 46 ½ O/U

The Miami Dolphins have put together a few weeks of solid football as they are 3-1 in their last 4 games after a awful 0-3 start to the season. The Dolphins only loss during the most recent stretch was a rather close game with the undefeated Saints. Miami will seek to keep the momentum alive this week when they head to Foxboro to take on their division rivals in the New England Patriots. The Patriots had the past week off which may be a good thing for Miami. The Patriots were red hot on offense in their most recent performances blowing out Tennessee 59-0 and then Tampa Bay 35-7. Perhaps the offense has had time to cool off, but then again that may just be wishful thinking when the two teams collide this Sunday.

Oddly enough the Dolphins recent resurgence comes in the aftermath of losing star quarterback Chad Pennington. Former Wolverines quarterback Chad Henne has stepped into the leading role as a result in just his 2nd year in the league. Henne is completing right at 60% with 4 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Henne has not posted up any huge numbers, but he definitely has not been the liability most expected after losing Pennington. The Dolphins main success on offense lies in the running game and revolves around Ronnie Brown. Brown will also be the guy to take snaps when Miami moves to the well known “wild cat” formation.

Although even when defenses have known what is coming, it has still been difficult to stop Brown from breaking through the offensive line. Brown has 518 yards on the season with team high 7 touchdowns. Running back Ricky Williams has also been very effective carrying the ball for 5.4 yards per carry. Williams also has 423 yards with 5 scores on the season. The Patriots run defense has been in question at times this year. If Miami can ride Brown and Williams throughout the game with effectiveness, this game could be closer than the experts may predict. Of course even if that happens, the Dolphins defense will have to find a way to slow down the Patriots offense.

Patriots QB Tom Brady ranks 2nd in the NFL with 15 passing touchdowns on the year. Brady got off to a rather sluggish start one year after battling back from a knee injury. However, Brady has completed 77% over the last two weeks and has just 2 picks in the last 5 games. The Patriots quarterback has gotten WR Wes Welker much more involved in recent weeks which have helped the entire offense tremendously. A few weeks ago we stated how Moss was the only receiver making any plays and the Patriots would need Welker to step up after a slow start. Welker has done just that catching 10 passes in each of the last two games for a combined total of 257 receiving yards. Having the offenses number 2 wide out get more catches has propelled the offense back into that all around lethal threat.

Of course WR Randy Moss is still the main target on the outside. Moss leads the team with 565 receiving yards and caught 3 touchdowns in the big blowout over the Titans. The Patriots superstar has a banged up shoulder heading into week 9, but all reports say he will start this Sunday. The Miami pass defense has allowed 236 yards per game, but the defense has faced all the top quarterbacks in the league from Manning, Rivers, Ryan, and Brees. If the secondary can hold Tom Brady to just 236 yards this Sunday that could be a win in itself.

Pick – Over 46 ½