Palm Beach Post predictions: Miami Dolphins will lose season finale to New England Patriots
Welcome to the final predictions of the Dolphins 2021 season.
Alas, there will be no postseason for Miami as the first 17-game regular season in NFL history wraps up this weekend. The Dolphins host the Patriots and it seems so long ago when Miami went to New England to open the season and came home with a win.
A pair of seven-game streaks - one losing, one winning - summed up this season about as well as anything. The Dolphins could not have been as bad as they appeared during the seven-game losing streak - and they certainly were not as good as they appeared during the seven-game winning streak.
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Without further fanfare, on to Game 17:
Joe Schad, Beat Writer
The Patriots have the best defense in the NFL. How will Tua Tagovailoa perform against a dominant pass defense with his future in question? Tough spot. Mac Jones is tough to sack and has the support of a strong run game. New England seeks revenge and gets it.
Patriots 24, Dolphins 14
Hal Habib, Beat Writer
Players are human. You can't tell me there isn't an emotional letdown given what this game could have meant as opposed to how little it does mean for the Dolphins. Still, I expect enough honest effort from the Dolphins before overall talent from the better team takes over in the second half.
Patriots 27, Dolphins 20
Tom D'Angelo, Beat Writer
The Dolphins have not swept the Patriots since 2000. Won't happen this year after Miami's season-opening win. Bill Belichick will make sure this regular season does not end with bookend losses to a rival. And he will remind Miami this is how you rebuild; this is how you draft a QB.
Patriots 20, Dolphins 10
Nick Pugliese, Sports Editor
I always hate it when we all pick the same team to win or lose, but there is no way the Dolphins end their season with a victory. Sure, a winning record is on the line - but a winning record with no playoff berth means squat. The Patriots are fighting for playoff seeding.
Patriots 24, Dolphins 13
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins vs. Patriots predictions: Palm Beach Post staff picks NFL Week 18
