Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots Sun. Jan. 2^nd 2011 1pm EST

The New England Patriots have defied the odds once again this season as they came into the year as a team with a weak defense and an aging offense, but ultimately were able to bring it all together like only head coach Bill Belichick can and become arguably the best team in the league once again.

With just two losses on the season coming into the final week of the NFL regular season, the New England Patriots have been as dominant as any team in the league this season and will look to continue that dominance against the division rival Miami Dolphins.

Even though this game has basically no meaning for the New England Patriots as they have clinched the AFC East division title and will be headed back into the playoffs, Bill Belichick will most likely start NFL MVP candidate quarterback Tom Brady under center for at least the first half in order to secure a good lead.

Whether or not the Patriots can maintain that lead with Brady on the bench in the second half will remain to be seen, but I am betting that chance are they will be able to do just that and cruise to victory against a Dolphins team that has struggled to play consistently well all year long.

As of right now, the spread for this game is just -5 in favor of the New England Patriots. That is about what it should be for a game in which the majority of the starters will be watching from the sidelines, but I believe the Patriots should cover this spread and get some more momentum going heading into the playoffs.

Taking the Patriots at -5 is by far the best bet for this matchup.

Odds and lines for this matchup by leading online sportsbooks:

Bookmaker Sportsbook:
Spread: Miami Dolphins +5 & New England Patriots -5
Moneyline: Miami Dolphins +210 & New England Patriots -250
Over/Under: Miami Dolphins 110 over & New England Patriots 110 under (43.5)

BetDSI Sportsbook:
Spread: Miami Dolphins +5 & New England Patriots -5
Moneyline: Miami Dolphins +210 & New England Patriots -250
Over/Under: Miami Dolphins 110 over & New England Patriots 110 under (43.5)

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