Dolphins coach Brian Flores made it official Monday, naming 37-year-old Ryan Fitzpatrick as his Week 1 starter at New England. Rookie Tua Tagovailoa, the No. 5 overall pick, will wait for his chance after not getting a preseason to change Flores' mind.
Fitzpatrick led the Dolphins to a 5-4 finish last season, culminating with a 27-24 upset in the regular-season finale at New England. Fitzpatrick was brilliant in that shocker: He threw for 320 yards and a touchdown without committing a turnover. That loss cost the Patriots a playoff bye.
All told, Fitzpatrick played in 15 games last season, completing 62 percent of his passes for 3,529 yards and 20 touchdowns against 13 interceptions.
New England will counter with Cam Newton, who is making his Patriots' debut after 10 years with Carolina. The Patriots are laying 6 points after opening as 6.5-point favorites.
William Hill sportsbooks list New England as 20-1 to win Super Bowl 55, while the Dolphins are getting 100-1 odds.
For the AFC East -- which New England has won 11 straight years -- the Pats are +125 co-favorites with Buffalo while Miami is +750, just ahead of the Jets at +800.
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