What NFL specialists are saying about Sunday’s Patriots-Dolphins sport

Patriots

Will New England bounce again after falling quick in opposition to the Eagles?

COMMENTARY

It’s too early within the NFL season to essentially perceive if that foot goes to imply something.

What if Kayshon Boutte’s lack of ability to get each toes inbounds (the second time) winds up being the distinction between the New England Patriots being a playoff staff or spending (one other) January watching the remainder of the league have the enjoyable that your staff used to. Think about if this staff is sweet sufficient to go 18-1, simply how irritating that foot will likely be. 

Or, it’ll in all probability imply nothing. 

The truth is, the general judgement on the play itself has shifted a bit within the days since. Knee-jerk response was to marvel why a rookie is in that scenario — down by 5 and driving with the sport on the road — as an alternative of veterans like DeVante Parker (harm) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (not Jakobi Meyers). However within the days since, I’ve heard echoes of a unique take: Philadelphia cornerback Josh Jobe made a reasonably good play to get Boutte’s second foot out of bounds. 

Possibly the foot ought to act as a “…to be continued…” In spite of everything, we have been within the midst of Mac Jones’ defining second earlier than it was interrupted. By the foot. Possibly the very best is but to come back. The foot solely delayed the love affair you’re ready to have with this staff by one week. Possibly. 

Or what if the foot winds up being just like the misstep everybody will overlook as Boutte soars his solution to a Rookie of the 12 months marketing campaign? “Simply whenever you thought…” Maybe it will likely be a deciding issue within the NFC East that helps preserve the New York Giants out of the combination of groups vying for the Tremendous Bowl, simply so we don’t have to try this entire factor once more. 

Then once more, possibly it’s the distinction between Boutte sticking round or winding up on the apply roster. 

Possibly it’s nothing. 

It’s simply Week One. It’s only a foot. 

Dream on.

This week’s predictions:

Greg Cote, Miami Herald: Dolphins 24, Patriots 20. “Give the residing ghost of Invoice Belichick credit score. He could also be defrocked of his genius card ever since Tom Brady left and took the successful with him, however Invoice nonetheless know coach him some protection. He nonetheless majors in taking away what the opponent does finest, so we have now to determine the Patriots will scheme to derail Tyreek Hill as Tua Tagovailoa’s chief goal. However even when that works to a point, doesn’t that simply imply Jaylen Waddle’s fantasy house owners will likely be smiling? Miami had 9 performs of 20-plus yards vs. Chargers final week whereas Pats gave up just one such lengthy play of their 25-20 loss to Philly. New England’s protection assures these outdated AFC East rivals will fill the Sunday evening stage with a terrific sport. This can be a jinx scenario to beat for Miami, with the Fins having gained solely twice in previous 14 journeys to Foxborough. Then once more Miami is on a 12-3 run as a betting favourite, and Tagovailoa is 4-0 in his younger profession vs. the Pats, solely proving that tendencies can bend to your wants. Miami is hopeful LT Terron Armstead is again in motion and that an iffy Waddle will likely be prepared, too. RB Raheem Mostert appears the largest harm concern. Pats are a stylish upset choose, however I appropriately had Fins an upset winner in L.A. final week and I’ll proceed using the Dolphins practice till it throws me off.”

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports activities: Patriots 24, Dolphins 23. “Miami is coming off a high-flying offensive victory in opposition to the Chargers. Tua Tagovailoa was excellent in that sport. The Patriots misplaced to the Eagles, however the protection performed effectively. That protection will preserve them on this sport as they decelerate the high-flying Dolphins to win it late. Upset particular.”

CBS Sports activities workers: Six of eight like New England (+2.5). 

Jimmy Kempski, Philly Voice: Dolphins (-3). “The Patriots have by some means been praised for enjoying effectively Week 1. Uh, OK. They received a D+ effort from the Eagles and nonetheless couldn’t pull off the upset win regardless of ample alternatives. In the meantime, their offensive line stays very banged up and so they’ll be dealing with an offense that gained 536 yards of their opener. How is that this line solely 3?”

ESPN workers: Six of 10 take the Pats.

Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports activities: Dolphins (-3). “This can be a exhausting sport to select and touchdown on the Dolphins laying a discipline aim appears sq.. I assume everybody will likely be on Miami for the Sunday evening sport. However my strategy with the Dolphins stays the identical: Because the begin of final season, the Dolphins have been one of many NFL’s elite groups in video games that Tua Tagovailoa began and completed. They don’t get that type of respect on the betting window although.”

Sheil Kapadia, The Ringer: Miami (-3). “It’s attainable that the Patriots stymie this Dolphins assault, however Miami was too spectacular final week for me to fade them right here.”

USA Right now workers: Six of the eight choose the Dolphins.

SB Nation workers: Solely one of many 11 likes New England.

Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting Information: Dolphins 27, Patriots 24. “Miami’s offense is one thing that may drive New England’s protection batty with its pure emphasis on getting its quickest gamers in open discipline (see Tyreek Hill and extra Tyreek Hill) for Mike McDaniel. The Patriots’ offense can’t check the Dolphins’ Jalen Ramsey-less secondary effectively with out a lot within the receiving corps. Tagovailoa is taking part in on level and may outduel his outdated faculty teammate Mac Jones with much less stress and extra juice round him.”

Invoice Bender, The Sporting Information: Dolphins 24, Patriots 21. “The Dolphins have an opportunity to place the Patriots in a 0-2 gap, and the distinction would be the passing sport. Patriots coach Invoice Belichick will attempt to remove Tyreek Hill, and it’ll work to some extent. The distinction in these groups’ video games final yr was turnovers. Which groups protects the ball in a good sport? “

Mike Florio, Professional Soccer Discuss: Dolphins 28, Patriots 23.

Chris Simms, Professional Soccer Discuss: Dolphins 28, Patriots 24.

Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Occasions: Dolphins 27, Patriots 21. “Coordinator Invoice O’Brien is an enormous improve for the Patriots’ offense, and so they’re not rolling over at dwelling. However Miami has unreal velocity on offense that’s actually tough to include. Someone will get open.”

It says right here: Patriots 26, Dolphins 21. Neglect the sport; who’s gonna be the lighthouse keeper?