They have almost no margin for error, but their remaining schedule gives the Miami Dolphins at least some sort of path to getting back into playoff contention in the AFC Wild Card race. That path continues on Sunday at home against the New England Patriots, with the Dolphins a touchdown favorite.
Even when the Patriots were at their peak, games in Miami always seemed to be a struggle for them. That is not likely to change with what is one of the worst rosters the Patriots have had in decades. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye is doing everything he can with nine touchdown passes in his first seven games, but there is simply not enough talent around him -- on either side of the ball -- to take advantage of his talent.
Miami, meanwhile, is finally starting to put things together after the return of starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
The Dolphins have won back-to-back games for the first time this season and have scored at least 23 points in the four games since Tagovailoa has returned to the lineup. They never scored more than 16 points in the games that he was sidelined. The only game Miami won in Tagovailoa's absence was at New England, 15-10, which also happened to be the last game the Patriots started Jacoby Brissett.
The Dolphins are 4-6 against the spread overall for the season but only 1-4 against the spread as a home favorite. Most of those games, however, came without Tagovailoa in the lineup.
The Patriots are 3-2 covering the spread as road underdogs.
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