Is another drubbing in store for Dolphins against Patriots?
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The spread between the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins kept growing this week, just as it has been doing for years, and just as it is expected to do Sunday.
New England began the week as a 14point favorite Sunday, and the number steadily rose to 181⁄2, pushed higher partly by the prospect of Patriots newcomer Antonio Brown running free through a hapless Dolphins secondary. The signal sent by bettors: They expect a rout.
And no wonder. The defending Super Bowl champions drubbed Pittsburgh 333 in last week’s season opener, while the perennial alsoran Dolphins were humiliated by Baltimore 5910.
New EnglandMiami could be the NFL’s biggest
mismatch until Week 17, when they meet again in Foxborough. Here are things to know about the AP’s No. 1ranked team versus No. 32:
ANTONIO BROWN
The Dolphins couldn’t cover Ravens rookie Marquis Brown, so they might have trouble with his cousin.
Marquis Brown played only 14 snaps in his NFL debut but caught four passes for 147 yards and two scores against the Dolphins. Now they’re bracing for another member of the Brown family, this one a fourtime AllPro receiver who signed Monday with the Patriots.
“He’s as dynamic as they get,” Dolphins coach Brian Flores said.
Antonio Brown’s status was in doubt because of a civil lawsuit filed by his former trainer accusing him of sexually assaulting her on three occasions. Regardless of whether Brown plays, the Dolphins figure Tom Brady is especially eager to throw after watching them give up six touchdown passes against Baltimore.
“It’s going to be an air raid,” Miami safety Bobby McCain predicted.
HUMBLED DOLPHINS
The Dolphins and rookie coach Flores must shake off the shell shock from last week’s shellacking, the most lopsided regularseason loss in team history.
In the wake of the embarrassment came rumblings that players are unhappy with the coaching staff, and with the organization’s decision to make next year’s draft a bigger priority than this year’s roster. Disgruntled Miami Dolphins defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick requested and received permission to seek a trade, but he’s expected to have a significant role in the game.
“I try to build relationships,” Flores said. “When you go through tough times, those relationships either get stronger or they don’t. Last week was a part of that. Hopefully we come out of this stronger.”
Publicly, Flores’ players expressed confidence the Dolphins can regroup.
“We’re going to get this thing turned around,” receiver Jakeem Grant said. “We’re going to come out and play a much better game.”
Miami gave up a franchise record 643 yards last week. And they weren’t playing Brady.
“That’s why we love the game — because we love challenges,” Flores said with a grin. “We love to compete. To me, this is fun.”
LINE ADJUSTMENTS
The Patriots had to tinker with their offensive line before the opener after center David Andrews was placed on injured reserve. Ted Karras, who spent last season as a backup right guard but played 16 games at center in 2017, took Andrews’ place.