Patriots-Dolphins Week 17 Predictions
BOSTON (CBS) -- Can the Patriots clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday?
See what the WBZ-TV, WBZ NewsRadio and 98.5 The Sports Hub teams think:
Dan Roche, WBZ-TV
Second meetings in AFC East play always seem to be tough. The key will be for the Pats to jump out to a lead and break the Dolphins' will. Once again the Pats defense will have to lead the way -- perhaps forcing a turnover or two. Meanwhile, the offense needs to grind out plays like they did against the Jets. You hope the Pats can rest some of their banged up regulars, but bottom line is they need a win. Pats 27, Dolphins 14.
Levan Reid, WBZ-TV
I believe the Pats will win this game, but more importantly, I want to see who's out there on the field. It would be nice if the three amigos were back; Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola have not played together in a while. They need the three of them in the offense to make a strong playoff run, but Edelman won't be on the field this week.
Plus, Devin McCourty spoke this week. I'm not sure if he's going to play but when talking to him, he was in good spirits and he's looked better and better each day in practice.
I know the Dolphins would love to end the season on a high note. They have had a horrible year and a win against the Pats would ease some things. But the Pats are going to the postseason and they need to head in on a solid note. That's going to happen. Pats 31, Dolphins 7
Mike "Sarge" Riley, 98.5 The Sports Hub/WBZ NewsRadio 1030
There's no way the Patriots lose two in a row for the second time this season against a Dolphins team that has nearly imploded. Pats take care of business and wrap up home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Patriots 24, Dolphins 14
Rob "Hardy" Poole, 98.5 The Sports Hub
Everything I know about Miami comes from what I learned from two movies: "Scarface" and "The Birdcage." I think for the purposes of football though, you have to focus on The Birdcage, because there's actual football talk when Robin Williams is trying to teach Nathan Lane how to talk like a quote-unquote "man." And, to paraphrase Nathan Lane, my reaction to this game? Betrayed, bewildered. The Patriots will play their starters too much, sustain another injury but still come away with a victory. Patriots 2, Dolphins 0.
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