Dolphins currently two touchdown underdogs in Week 17 vs. Patriots

The Miami Dolphins are facing the prospect of four more quarters of football for 2019. Their opponent? None other than the dreaded New England Patriots, who will host Miami in Foxboro with a first round bye in the playoffs riding on a Patriots win. That’s not great news for Dolphins fans hoping to see an upset brew in Week 17, as the Patriots are going to be focused and playing with purpose against the Dolphins.

The betting lines indicate as such as well — the Dolphins aren’t nearly as big of underdogs as they were the first time these two teams played this season, yet Miami is still 15.5-point underdogs to the New England Patriots in Week 17, according to BetMGM.

After covering the spread of 1.5 points in Week 16 versus the Bengals, Miami currently sits 7-8 against the spread on the season, so it would be within reason to expect the Dolphins to keep this game close. Or at least somewhat interesting.

How is that accomplished? Miami is going to need another massive day from Ryan Fitzpatrick — but more importantly the Dolphins complimentary receivers need to find openings against the Patriots. With Miami’s DeVante Parker likely facing assignment from Stephon Gilmore in Week 17, it will need to be guys like Allen Hurns, Mike Gesicki and Albert Wilson who step up to the plate and win their one on one assignments. 

If not, the Patriots may blow past the spread, even without the potent offense they’ve shown in years past.

[Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.]