An interesting week 14 of the NFL season ends with the usual Monday Night Football which is another divisional clash as the Miami Dolphins host the New England Patriots in what should be a feisty clash.
We saw two sides win their divisions on Sunday and another can be won here as if New England win they will secure the AFC East once again. Miami need snookers already if they are going to extend their season.
Miami Dolphins
It has been a strange season for the Miami Dolphins but I guess when you look back at it, it was never going to be anything else. It began with them getting Jay Cutler out of the broadcast booth and has never really got back on a sound footing from there. Halfway through the campaign they let Jay Ajayi go to Philadelphia which was another strange move.
The result of all of that is they are one of the lowest scoring sides in the league which is not ideal when they are about to take on one of the best teams in the NFL. They haven’t lived up to their usual mean reputation defensively this season either. When they have been good they’ve been pretty decent but when they’ve been bad they’ve been terrible.
New England Patriots
The Patriots are battling hard for the number one seeding in the AFC. They will win the division here if they are victorious and then they will have the chance to take control in the Conference when they go to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a massive showdown next week. They need to focus on this one before thinking of that though.
New England’s dominance this year has been as much down to their defence as it has been their offense. That hasn’t always been the case but it has this year. Their secondary is a lot more capable and they can cover most types of receivers. Their balanced offense is almost a given in New England these days.
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Betting
I would expect the Patriots to win this match but being on primetime and at home we should expect the Miami Dolphins to raise their game. That means I’m not convinced New England will cover an 11pt handicap but at the same time I wouldn’t really want to be riding Miami should they go behind early.
Given all that I’ll head to the player markets for a bet here where the receiving line of Brandin Cooks looks a touch on the low side at 69.5 yards. He has already picked up 83 yards against Miami this season and prior to last week covered this line every week since the bye. He’ll be Brady’s first look and if he can break a tackle once or twice he should comfortably cover this.
Tips
Back B.Cooks – Over 69.5 receiving yards for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Paddy Power
Back him here:
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