NFL Picks and Odds: Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots

The Miami Dolphins (3-4) travel north take on their AFC East division rivals the New England Patriots (5-2) from Gillette Stadium at 1:00pm EST in game that can be seen on CBS. In a thrilling game last week, the Dolphins managed to hold off the New York Jets and claim the victory on the road 30-25 as 3.5 point underdogs in NFL picks but no thanks to their offense. Wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. stole the show not from catching touchdowns but rather on special teams, scoring on 100 and 101-yard kickoff returns. Quarterback Chad Henne threw 12-21 for 112 yards with 1 touchdown while the wildcat tandem of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams combined for a dismal 54 rushing yards with no touchdowns. Online sportsbooks have the Patriots -11 in NFL odds at home against the Dolphins with a total of 47 for this week 9 match-up on CBS.

A few Dolphins will also be missing from today’s game at Foxboro with Miami releasing linebacker William Kershaw. Another linebacker, Channing Crowder and defensive tackle Jason Ferguson did not make the trip due to injuries. The Dolphins are 3-4 straight up, 3-4 against the spread as a favorite in NFL picks and are 7-3 in their division. Miami does lead the season series 49-38 over the Dolphins but even head coach Tony Sparano knows that means nothing when you’re playing Tom Brady on his turf. "Best of my knowledge, the last time we played they had 537 yards against us,'' he said. "We are the ones that have a lot of yards to make up.'' Bet Miami +11 in week 9 NFL odds against New England.

The Patriots have continued to dominate the league with 35-7 victory in week 7 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as 15.5-point favorites in NFL picks. Tom Brady was able to throw 23-32 for 308-yards with three touchdowns in to a stingy Tampa Bay defense that did force two interceptions. Although the passing game was on point, the Patriots couldn’t get the rushing game going with Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk combining for 62-yards and one touchdown. As with previous years in NFL betting picks, New England has been winning not only on the arm of Brady but also with their defense. Safety Brandon Meriweather intercepted the Buccaneers Josh Johnson on the first two drives. The Patriots will also be without some players coming into this match-up on Sunday. New England released guard Kendall Simmons on Friday, running backs Sammy Morris and Fred Taylor will be out with knee and ankle injuries along with defensive end Jarvis Green. Bet the Patriots -11 as the NFL pick for week 9.

Whitmore's NFL Picks: Miami always gives you something to cheer about midway through the season and then flounders about like a Dolphin out of water. Since this is week 9 and I think Sparano can get the boys pumped up enough to not win but cover the spread, my NFL pick for this match-up on CBS is to take the Dolphins on the road plus the points in NFL odds against the Patriots to the OVER at Bodog so I can get some free casino chips! Vegas odds at Caesars sportsbook have the New England Patriots -10.5 favorites in NFL odds against the Miami Dolphins with a total of 47.