After Being Blown Out in Week 1, Dolphins Open as 16.5-Point Underdogs in Week 2 vs Patriots

By Eric Rosales in NFL Football
Updated: March 26, 2020 at 7:05 am EDTPublished:

- Dolphins take historic Week 1 beating at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens
- Miami hosts defending Super Bowl Champion-Patriots next week
- Should you be wagering on the Dolphins (and the boatload of points they are being given) against the spread?
Is it possible to be a beleaguered NFL head coach after just one career game?
If your one career game was at the helm of the Miami Dolphins in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens, the answer for Brian Flores is: yes.
He had better muster up his best “Nobody believes in us!” speech on the pronto, because the Fins host the Patriots in Week 2. And as you might imagine while examining the Patriots vs Dolphins full odds, there is a Grand Canyon-esque point spread the sportsbooks in Vegas are daring you to jump on.
New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins
Team | Spread |
---|---|
New England Patriots | -16.5 (-115) |
Miami Dolphins | +16.5 (-105) |
*Odds from 10/09/19
This could be the highest line you will see across sportsbooks all season. Not only do the Patriots have no chill, they are also trying to work mercurial wide receiver Antonio Brown into what is now arguably the most potent receiving corps in the NFL.
Considering the Patriots’ penchant for showing no mercy, is there any reason you should be taking Miami and the 16.5 points?
Dolphins Showed No Life in Week 1
It’s one thing to lose, but it’s another to lose and turn Lamar Jackson into a wealthy man’s Tom Brady-Joe Montana-Peyton Manning hybrid. Jackson threw six TD passes across his seven regular season starts last season. On Sunday, he tossed four by halftime. Miami’s 42-10 halftime deficit is the largest in a Week 1 game in NFL history.
.@Lj_era8 went OFF in Miami 👀 #BALvsMIA | @Ravens pic.twitter.com/aOTRXx4bXw
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) September 8, 2019
In all, they surrendered over 600 yards of total offense to the Ravens. Jackson finished the game a tidy 17-for-20 passing for 324 yards and five TD strikes.
🚨Lamar with an absolute DIME to Marquise Brown for an 83 yard TD🚨@Lj_era8 #CardsGonePro pic.twitter.com/5wCkOTR9e6
— CardsGonePro (@CardsGonePro) September 8, 2019
As bad as the secondary was, the rush defense wasn’t much better. The Dolphins let running back Mark Ingram get off to quite a start with his new club, rushing for 107 yards and two scores of his own.
Lets check in on Michael Deiter. Legitimately feel bad for Fitz. pic.twitter.com/CURceBxEFD
— Travis Wingfield (@WingfieldNFL) September 8, 2019
Led by Ryan Fitzpatrick, the offense was on par with the defense. The team rushed for a total of 21 yards, and Fitzpatrick – playing behind one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL – was under siege all afternoon. He was sacked three times and pressured on another dozen occasions. In the run game, the line generated zero push, surrendering six tackles for losses.
From the CBS broadcast on Miami’s overhaul. pic.twitter.com/vO6yPs4rtw
— Travis Wingfield (@WingfieldNFL) September 8, 2019
The tear-down came in pieces all offseason, including moving on from QB Ryan Tannehill and then dealing left tackle Laremy Tunsil, but there’s been plenty of action to make this situation pretty grim.
News: Multiple #Dolphins players have requested to be traded away from the team after the 59-10 loss to the #Ravens via @ProFootballTalk
The players don't want to be part of a tanking team. pic.twitter.com/ypl7TDiIX0
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 8, 2019
The loss did not sit well with many of the players, who reportedly are not interested in being part of the tank.
Is There Any Reason to Take the Points?
There are two things that trouble me in trusting this bet: I try to avoid most bets within a division, because anything can (and does) happen. At home, the Dolphins have beaten Tom Brady and company the last two times New England has come south, including a game that may have been the best finish in 2018.
OH MY DOLPHINS
The walk-off lateral pitch play! https://t.co/aH7sPynzx9
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 9, 2018
That being said, we just watched Brady, at age 42, go over the top consistently with the long ball to bury the Steelers. Pittsburgh is a good team, and they run a strong program … and they looked lost against this attack. The Dolphins entered the year expected to be the worst team in the NFL, and looked every bit the part in Week 1.
For the second time tonight, Tom Brady and Phillip Dorsett connect for a TD. This one a 58-yarder. Wide, wide open. pic.twitter.com/kPVcg50j0Q
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 9, 2019
Brady finished the night 24-for-36 for 341 yards, three TD, and no interceptions. No receiver went over 100 yards, but the quintet of Phillip Dorsett, Josh Gordon, Julian Edelman, James White and Rex Burkhead all had between three and six catches and 41 to 95 yards.
I can’t even imagine how badly Antonio Brown wants to show out in his first action since dominating the summer like he was an NBA player.
Brady to Gordon for the TD!!! ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/Pzr3D0OkN9
— Young Boston™ (@YoungBostonTM) September 9, 2019
I expect that the horrendous Dolphins’ outing will keep bettors leaning toward the Patriots, and that may force Vegas to keep giving the Fins more points later in the week, to give you more incentive.
I’d recommend a stay away – you never know with these divisional games. But if you’re inclined to take the points, you may get more later in the week.

Sports Writer & Editor
Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgeable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV's Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric's work has appeared in local and national publications alike.