by Vincent Caraturo – Wannamakeabet Staff Writer
Tonight in a divisional Monday Night Football matchup between division rivals one thing is clear, the New England Patriots are the far better team. The Pats come in at 10-2 and will be the division winner yet again in 2017. Miami is struggling at 5-7 and if Ryan Tannehill didn’t go down in the preseason one has to wonder how much better they would be.
Miami has played well at home to the tune of a 3-2 record. They have averaged 63 more yards a game more than there opponent at home. They have also held the opposition to an average of 3.5 yards a rush. Miami will have to be able to run the ball to keep this game competitive and stats show they may be able to being New England this season on the road has given up an average of 4.8 yards a rush in road games. These teams met on November 26th in New England and the Pats trounced Miami 35-17. Future Hall Of Fame QB Tom Brady last week at Buffalo did not throw a Touchdown pass in the game for the first time all season.
Brady this season has 26 TD’s and only 4 Picks. New England averages 309 passing yards a game and a 71% completion percentage on the road. Miami defense at home has only given up 206 yards passing a game at home and a stingy 59.9 completion percentage. Miami at home is tough and if they are able to run the ball that will make them more balanced and get Kenny Stills more involved. Stills has had a great season so far with 48 catches for 733 yards and 6 TD’s. Very solid numbers for a guy that’s watched his team juggle QB’s from one week to the next. All signs may point to Miami covering the number tonight getting 10.5 points and the line has dropped from 12 to 10.5.
Brady not throwing a TD Pass last week was surprising and the Pats may want to get him going again this week in lieu of there matchup next week at Pittsburgh. I Predict this to be a close one a 30-20 Pats win in this showdown but Miami covering the number.