Article from Covers.com – Three reasons why New England is the right play tonight against the Dolphins in Week one.
WHY THE PATRIOTS COVER
Henne without run game
For the Dolphins to function, they have to run the football and control the clock against the Patriots. Rookie running back Daniel Thomas is nursing a hamstring injury and I don’t believe the Fish can show New England a balanced offensive attack with Reggie Bush and Larry “I can’t believe I’m not retired” Johnson running the ball.
Bill Belichick, is going to have fun playing games with the erratic and mistake-prone Chad Henne knowing the ground game is absent.
Devin McCourty
A budding star at cornerback, the second-year pro from Rutgers will be asked to shadow the Dolphins best playmaker; Brandon Marshall. McCourty will shut down Marshall and take away Miami’s best offensive weapon in the process.
Brady’s quick release
Cameron Wake is a force to be reckoned with but the Pats can limit the pass rusher because of Brady’s precise pocket presence. The 2010 NFL MVP will operate fully aware of Wake’s presence and ability to change a game.
Fortunately, the scintillating signal caller has a vast array of intermediate weapons to sling the rock to before Cam reaches him. New England’s offense is filled with players who can find space and get open quickly. Mismatches will abound and Brady and the Patriots will find ways to pick apart the Dolphins’ pass defense.
Easy bet: Everyone is taking the Patriots (-7) with the points. It’s a lock, a done deal, however, is there such a sure thing in the NFL? “Any Given Monday?”