The Miami Dolphins (5-9) visit the AFC-leading New England Patriots (11-3) in an AFC East showdown on Saturday, and do so as heavy underdogs. According to SB Nation partner OddsShark, most sportsbooks list the Fins as nine-point underdogs or worse. The over-under is 48.5 points at most sportsbooks.
In the first meeting between the teams in the 2011 season, which took place in Week 1, the Patriots pulled away in the second half to cruise to a 38-24 win. The Dolphins drew first blood in the third quarter with a Chad Henne touchdown pass to Brian Hartline, which tied the score at 14, and Dan Carpenter answered a Patriots touchdown with a field goal to bring Miami to within four points at 21-17. New England then scored 17 unanswered points, including a 99-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady to Wes Welker, to seal the victory.
Miami went on to lose its first seven games, but has won five of its last seven.
For more on the Dolphins, please visit The Phinsider, SB Nation's Dolphins blog. For the perspective from the other side, please visit SB Nation Boston and Pats Pulpit, SB Nation's Patriots blog.