Patriots-Dolphins Week 8 Predictions
BOSTON (CBS) -- It's a short week for the New England Patriots, as they are set to face off against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football.
These divisional games are never easy, and anything can happen on Thursday night. Here is how the WBZ-TV, WBZ NewsRadio and 98.5 The Sports Hub sports teams see tonight's Patriots-Dolphins showdown playing out:
Dan Roche, WBZ-TV Sports
The Dolphins come in riding high after two easy wins under interim head coach Dan Campbell. They seem to have simplified things on both sides of the ball - and they usually play the Pats tough. With the short rest expect another tough game, but you have to take Tom Brady at home.
Patriots 28, Dolphins 24
Levan Reid, WBZ-TV Sports
It's a short week but the Pats are the better all-around team with Tom Brady and the offense playing so well. I know the Dolphins are coming in on a winning streak, but they also have to travel on the short week and that's going to take a lot out of them. But I think the most important factor in this one is the coaching. Advantage: Patriots.
Dan Campbell has stepped in and done a great job for Miami through two games, but to ask him to turn around and game-plan against Bill Belichick on a short week is a bit much. Campbell is still getting his feet wet in the coaching circle. He brings a ton of confidence but he's going to need more than that on Thursday.
The Pats are a game-plan specific team. They are going to do their best to take away what you do best. Then it will be up to Campbell and his coaching staff to make adjustments in time to stay in the game. I feel this is a mismatch and the Pats have a huge advantage on this front.
Patriots 44, Dolphins 21
Adam Kaufman, 98.5 The Sports Hub/WBZ NewsRadio 1030
Players hate short-turnaround games (go ask Matthew Slater) but, if the Patriots have to play on a Thursday night, at least the hometown crowd is at a supreme advantage. Miami has to travel to Foxboro, a burden on Dolphins players the Pats don't have to endure. Plus, Bill Belichick has been through this before. Game-planning for a Thursday is nothing but a different binder on the shelf in his office. New 'Fins interim head coach Dan Campbell is new to this. All of it. And resounding defeats over the hapless Titans and Texans does little but boost morale heading into a showdown with an unbeaten Super Bowl contender.
Expect Tom Brady to have another busy day, even if Dion Lewis is available, and the Pats' O-line will be tested by Cameron Wake and the rest of the Dolphins' improved and imposing pass-rush. So long as Brady stays healthy and continues to get the ball out of his hands quickly, New England will move to 7-0 rather easily.
Patriots 34, Miami 17
Mike "Sarge" Riley, 98.5 The Sports Hub/WBZ NewsRadio 1030
It's a quick turnaround for both teams, and the 'Fins have been hot since Joe Philbin was fired. But, Tom Brady is so good it's scary. He was lights out in the fourth quarter against the Jets on Sunday and No. 12 will pick up where he left off Thursday night.
Brady and company have scored 30 or more points in five straight games. The streak will continue this week.
The Pats will win another hard-fought divisional game, improving to 7-0 for the first time since 2007.
Patriots 33, Dolphins 19
Tune in to Patriots-Dolphins on Thursday Night Football on WBZ-TV and 98.5 The Sports Hub — the flagship stations of the New England Patriots. WBZ-TV kicks off their Pats-Dolphins coverage Wednesday night with a live edition of Patriots All Access at 7pm, and a special Patriots GameDay Thursday night at 7pm. After the game, tune in to myTV38 for Patriots 5th Quarter. 98.5's coverage starts at 5:30pm on Thursday with Patriots Preview, followed by three hours of postgame coverage after the game!
