4 reasons why the Miami Dolphins will beat the Patriots on Sunday

Reason why the Miami Dolphins will win on Sunday #2:

Home field advantage: the heat and the crowd

There is nothing like a little home cooking, and if there is one home that can get cooking more than the rest of them, it is Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

The sweltering heat of South Florida is well known, and the Dolphins have used it to their advantage many times in the past. But thanks to the renovations done to their stadium in 2016, the suffocating humidity is diverted directly to the opposing sidelines. The open-air canopy that covers the main seating areas also covers the players on the Dolphins sideline, but leaves the opposite side of the field completely open to the elements.

To boot, the sellout crowd will be in full throat. The Dolphins have completely sold out of their season tickets for the first time ever, showing that the arrivals of new players and a new regime have energized a fan base that is starved for success. There has been plenty said about Miami’s ability to keep the seats full, and we may see a version of Hard Rock Stadium noise in 2022 that we haven’t seen…perhaps ever.

The Patriots are 3 point underdogs for their Week 1 matchup with the Dolphins. But consider factoring in the crowd noise, the excitement and energy from both the fans and Miami’s players, and the fact that Mac Jones and company will be “resting” on a sideline that is 20+ degrees hotter. Perhaps the spread should be closer to a touchdown.