2021 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 1

Miami Dolphins (0-0) at New England Patriots (0-0)

Sunday, September 12, 4:25PM ET

I’d like to say the Miami Dolphins look better this season, but they’re still a wild card at best. It depends largely on the play of Tua Tagovailoa and the performance of the Miami defense, so I wouldn’t put your life savings on them making too big a splash in 2021.

While the New England Patriots are also uncertainty with a rookie at quarterback, what we’ve seen from Mac Jones so far is promising. The youngster was setting off fireworks all preseason long, and convinced the Patriots to part ways with Cam Newton. Now can he deliver when the games actually mean something? We’ll see in Week 1.

Even if he struggles, though, I don’t see the Patriots letting this matchup with the Dolphins slip from their grasp. The New England defense is one of the most underrated groups in the NFL, and will certainly help this AFC East contender stay competitive throughout the season.

I’m not going to speculate on Jones’ or Tagovailoa’s performance, but I will instead say that the Patriots defense does more than enough to get the win. Meanwhile, the Dolphins trip up in Week 1 and get their season off to an ugly start.

Prediction: Patriots win 23-14