Why All The Miami Love?

Brandon Alberts last 6 games. Dolphins are 6-0 and outscored their opponent 188-70.

Miami will have a rematch with NE in January. That game looks more winnable. They also have a rematch with Buffalo the week after this game. I think they do well in this game, but do not cover. In other words, there will not be a complete letdown falling apart and lethargic effort. I think the yardstick for measuring the HC's performance will be in the rematch with division opponents. They can falter here and it is not a bad loss. But in January if NE is undefeated facing Miami the second and final time, they have a shot. I think they lose cover here, but can undo the 41-13 loss (whatever it was) to Buffalo. 

Let's all enjoy the game

Bingo. This is the reason tannehill and that Miami offense has gotten their act together, has nothing to do with the hc change. Albert is perhaps one of the best offensive linemen in the nfl, and unlike ivory they have speed in their backfield, and all over the field. The dolphins are a more talented roster than the jets, and if you don't believe that you'll learn it tomorrow

New coach, 2 wins
NE didn't cover last game

As of right now, Jets vs Miami on a neutral field would be a coin flip. (Slight edge to the Dolphins IMO) 

Let me see...Division Game, 8pts, New coach, & thur nite fb trend is not 100% with a pretty good def

Tannehill hasn't kept a deficit under 10 points in his career at Gillette (13-41, 17-27, 0-28 were the scores in his three years). He's a Texas kid who goes straight to Miami in the NFL has shown some struggles in cold weather...should be low to mid 40s in Foxboro.  Pats dink-and-dunk offensive style should cause Suh and Wake to be non-factors, and I think Miami's linebackers get exposed and worn down throughout the game.  I see this being a game where NE scores every possession, while Miami answers only some of the time.  Not to mention Belichick will probably do his score right before half and on the opening 2nd half drive stunt that he is best in the biz at.  NE 34-20.

If Tennessee and Houston are trash teams than you might as well throw the Pats D in with them because they're all trash defensively.

Thanks UpperEchelon, I did take a peek at Suuma's post on the other thread as you suggested and appreciate what he is saying.  I understand people trying to back Miami in this game and I know they have a solid pass rush and I have a very high opinion of Tannehill (he is a way better QB than most would give him credit for).  I certainly don't see this as easy money for those picking the Patriots (having to cover more than a TD isn't easy for anyone), but I was just saying to those backing Miami that caution is key here.  I personally wouldn't be looking too much into the last 2 weeks for Miami as I just see a team that is too unpredictable to take confidently.  New coach (yes I realize he is not new to the team, but new to the HC role), all fired up, off 2 blowout wins, then I look back and see losses to the Jags, Bills, and Jets.  I guess I'm saying if you pick Miami to win tonight or to cover you are hoping that their very recent trend of playing extremely well continues tonight and they don't revert to how they have shown they are capable of playing early in the season. NE hasn't shown that sort of weakness YET, and has put up 28+ points in all 6 of their games this year.  That's consistency and I would rather back that, than a team having a hot streak of 2 games (granted, Miami has had a fantastic 2 week 'streak').  As for those stating NE hasn't faced a pass rush like the one Miami can generate, I really don't see that as being a factor in this game.  Brady needs a clean pocket to operate, BUT only needs it for a very short time.  Shallow crossing routes, pick/rub plays, screens, and slants over the middle which are the majority of NE's attack don't need time to develop, and that in my mind neutralizes a good pass-rush.  I think NE has looked at their division and realized teams are investing in pass-rushers so they can rush without having to blitz and bring extra personnel, and NE has simply found a way around it and proven they are again a step ahead of the league.  I think they have learned a lot from the past and realized that the times their offense has broken down has been when teams are able to generate pressure on Brady without committing extra personnel.  Rather than spending a ton of money on O-line, they just shortened the amount of time between the snap and release of the ball.  Simple solution and effective since teams seem okay with allowing 4 yard passes on first down.  I would argue there's this perception that you can't allow more than 3 yards per rush on first/second down when a team rushes against you since you are putting them in manageable 3rd down situations consistently.  Why is it then okay to allow 4 yards on a catch on 1st/2nd down?  Yards are yards no matter how you get them, and while throwing has more risk than running, NE seems comfortable taking those small gains almost in lieu of running the ball, and putting themselves in manageable 3rd down spots.  I'm not a NE fan (I have the misfortune of being a Chargers fan), but I have tremendous respect for their willingness to experiment and stay flexible while so many teams seem stuck in their current mindsets.  As I said before this is not a game where I would feel super comfortable picking the Patriots-7.5 or more, since anything more than a TD is difficult for any team, but I would feel comfortable teasing this game down to Pats-2 or picking them on ML. Best of luck to all!  Let's enjoy the game tonight regardless of what happens. 

Line is all over the place because the Books and early bettors don't know which Tom Brady or NE Pats team are going to show up.

Ditto the Fish after new HC two impressive wins against OK teams - can they keep it up in Foxboro?

Brady and crew even in a shoot out, AT HOME, can run up the score - they are capable, we all know that.

But will they? No one knows which is why this game is a crap shoot.

Not to take anything away from Miami who is more than a worthy divisional opponent here tonight.

Fish just look too easy if you're an Xs and Os guy.

Gun to my head? The question I always ask is "who will win their bets tonight the Joes or the Pros?"

I think the Joes - are they on Miami? I don't think so.

Gun to my head: Pats -8½

I took the Fish this morning +10½ on the buy (-115) and if I see 8 out there later I'll go for a middle.

CRAP SHOOT, me thinks - take whatever small, enjoy the game, drink a few scotches, smoke a cigar and chase women.

GLTA

Quote Originally Posted by Humchucker:

Thanks UpperEchelon, I did take a peek at Suuma's post on the other thread as you suggested and appreciate what he is saying.  I understand people trying to back Miami in this game and I know they have a solid pass rush and I have a very high opinion of Tannehill (he is a way better QB than most would give him credit for).  I certainly don't see this as easy money for those picking the Patriots (having to cover more than a TD isn't easy for anyone), but I was just saying to those backing Miami that caution is key here.  I personally wouldn't be looking too much into the last 2 weeks for Miami as I just see a team that is too unpredictable to take confidently.  New coach (yes I realize he is not new to the team, but new to the HC role), all fired up, off 2 blowout wins, then I look back and see losses to the Jags, Bills, and Jets.  I guess I'm saying if you pick Miami to win tonight or to cover you are hoping that their very recent trend of playing extremely well continues tonight and they don't revert to how they have shown they are capable of playing early in the season. NE hasn't shown that sort of weakness YET, and has put up 28+ points in all 6 of their games this year.  That's consistency and I would rather back that, than a team having a hot streak of 2 games (granted, Miami has had a fantastic 2 week 'streak').  As for those stating NE hasn't faced a pass rush like the one Miami can generate, I really don't see that as being a factor in this game.  Brady needs a clean pocket to operate, BUT only needs it for a very short time.  Shallow crossing routes, pick/rub plays, screens, and slants over the middle which are the majority of NE's attack don't need time to develop, and that in my mind neutralizes a good pass-rush.  I think NE has looked at their division and realized teams are investing in pass-rushers so they can rush without having to blitz and bring extra personnel, and NE has simply found a way around it and proven they are again a step ahead of the league.  I think they have learned a lot from the past and realized that the times their offense has broken down has been when teams are able to generate pressure on Brady without committing extra personnel.  Rather than spending a ton of money on O-line, they just shortened the amount of time between the snap and release of the ball.  Simple solution and effective since teams seem okay with allowing 4 yard passes on first down.  I would argue there's this perception that you can't allow more than 3 yards per rush on first/second down when a team rushes against you since you are putting them in manageable 3rd down situations consistently.  Why is it then okay to allow 4 yards on a catch on 1st/2nd down?  Yards are yards no matter how you get them, and while throwing has more risk than running, NE seems comfortable taking those small gains almost in lieu of running the ball, and putting themselves in manageable 3rd down spots.  I'm not a NE fan (I have the misfortune of being a Chargers fan), but I have tremendous respect for their willingness to experiment and stay flexible while so many teams seem stuck in their current mindsets.  As I said before this is not a game where I would feel super comfortable picking the Patriots-7.5 or more, since anything more than a TD is difficult for any team, but I would feel comfortable teasing this game down to Pats-2 or picking them on ML. Best of luck to all!  Let's enjoy the game tonight regardless of what happens. 

What a good read. Keep posting brother

Humchuker, I don't disagree with anything you said about the Pats offense. I see them scoring points. 

1) Pretty decent pass rush from MIA--few sacks, out of pocket passes

CONGRATS MIA BACKERS -LOST, BUT ANYWAY I ADMIRE THE S TO TAKE THEM HERE