The Miami Dolphins beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 17 to improve to 7-9 on the year while their AFC East rivals, the New England Patriots, dispatched the New York Jets to run their record to 13-3 and win the division title for this season. Now guaranteed at least one home game in the playoffs, the Patriots head into Week 18 with the possibility of claiming the top seed in the AFC playoff picture, earning a bye week and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.
To claim that position, they have to start with a win over the Dolphins, a win the oddsmakers seem to think will be an easy one. The Dolphins, started the year 1-6 but are looking to finish the year with a 7-3 run, a marked improvement during the season. Miami has made several changes throughout the year, including benching starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for rookie Quinn Ewers.
New England beat the Dolphins 33-27 in Week 2 in Miami and will now look to complete the season sweep. A win over the Dolphins would improve the Patriots to 5-1 in division games this year, having split with the Buffalo Bills and swept the Jets. Miami also split the two-game series with the Bills in 2025 and swept the Jets.
The oddsmakers at FanDuel Sportsbook do not give the Dolphins much of a chance of preventing the Patriots’ sweep. The line has opened with New England favored by 10.5 points. Miami is +500 to pull off the upset and win the game outright while the Patriots are -700 to win. The point total is 45.5.
Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. Eastern on Sunday.
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