Here’s a take a look at how the Miami Dolphins (8-7) and New England Patriots (7-8) match up in six key areas forward of Sunday’s Week 17 sport at Gillette Stadium (1 p.m., CBS):
When the Dolphins run: Miami could look to lean on the run sport a bit greater than it has as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is unlikely to be obtainable on account of one other concussion suffered this season. The Dolphins run sport appears to be like completely different than it did the primary time they confronted the Patriots within the opener. Now, it’s Jeff Wilson complementing Raheem Mostert, as an alternative of Chase Edmonds. They ought to proceed splitting carries after Mostert went for 45 yards on eight makes an attempt and Wilson 37 yards and a landing on 9 carries in opposition to Green Bay.
Left deal with Terron Armstead is now combating by accidents to 4 physique components — a toe, pectoral, knee and his hip. The Dolphins have left guard Liam Eichenberg activated off injured reserve and will decide to start out him or persist with Robert Jones, who has been serviceable filling in on the place. Fullback Alec Ingold can be working by a thumb ailment.
The Patriots rank ninth in dashing protection at 107.8 yards allowed per sport on the bottom. They’ve held the Bengals and Raiders beneath 100 yards dashing in back-to-back video games. Inside linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley is a rock within the center behind New England’s base three-man entrance, main the group with 109 tackles. Strong security Kyle Dugger is powerful in run help, as nicely. Edge: Patriots
When the Patriots run: Running again Damien Harris hasn’t performed since Thanksgiving, and Rhamondre Stevenson has dealt with the workload since then. The second-year tailback and energy runner is a load to carry down at 227 kilos. He has been up and down, however he’s able to going off like he did two weeks in the past in opposition to the Raiders for 172 yards. He’s 56 yards away from a 1,000-yard season, averaging 4.8 yards per carry.
Left deal with Trent Brown, proper guard Mike Onwenu and middle David Andrews are bodily blockers which might be able to paving holes within the floor sport.
Dolphins defensive linemen Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler lead a run protection that ranks tenth within the NFL and could be significantly better if it didn’t quit huge positive aspects to scrambling quarterbacks. Mac Jones doesn’t current that dual-threat capacity for the Patriots. Wilkins has been unblockable with 86 tackles up entrance for Miami, and inside linebackers Elandon Roberts (93) and Jerome Baker (92) are additionally vying for the group lead down the ultimate stretch. Edge: Dolphins
When the Dolphins move: This may very well be the largest X-factor within the sport: How does backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater deal with the offense with Tagovailoa probably out? Bridgewater has proven some chemistry with extensive receiver Tyreek Hill when he entered in aid in video games in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals and Minnesota Vikings. Late in that loss to Minnesota, he additionally related with tight finish Mike Gesicki twice for fourth-quarter touchdowns, offering attainable cause to consider a spark may come from the proficient pass-catcher.
One factor Bridgewater, the veteran with 64 profession begins to his title, should do is defend the soccer. New England ranks third within the league with 25 takeaways. Safety Devin McCourty and cornerback Jonathan Jones are tied for the group lead with three interceptions.
Armstead and proper deal with Brandon Shell should be sharp defending the sides with Pro Bowler Matthew Judon (15 1/2 sacks) and former Miami Columbus High standout Josh Uche (11 1/2 sacks) a drive dashing the passer. The Patriots are No. 2 within the NFL with 50 sacks. Armstead will now be defending his quarterback’s blind aspect, with Bridgewater a extra conventional right-hander. Bridgewater simply wants handle the sport, defend the soccer and discover the occasional chunk play to Hill or Jaylen Waddle. Edge: Even
When the Patriots move: New England has simply 14 passing touchdowns by 15 video games. Jones had his early-season carousel with backup Bailey Zappe and has remained the starter since. He may have video games like his 23-of-27 efficiency in opposition to the Jets, his 382 yards and two touchdowns in opposition to the Vikings or final week’s outing in opposition to the Bengals the place he almost led a comeback had been it not for a Stevenson fumble. But he’s additionally able to going 13 of 31, like he did two weeks in the past in Las Vegas.
Former Dolphins receiver DeVante Parker stays in concussion protocol main as much as the sport. Jakobi Meyers leads New England with 723 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, and Stevenson is an lively check-down choice out of the backfield, main the group with 62 catches. Open-field tackles in opposition to the large tailback will likely be very important.
New England, rating twenty first in passing offense and with Matt Patricia the offensive play-caller, doesn’t do a lot to scare opponents by the air. This may very well be a chance for Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard to make a game-changing play when his group wants it most. Or security Jevon Holland. Or for the move rush to return to life between Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb and Melvin Ingram. Chubb has a hand damage stemming from the loss to the Packers. Edge: Dolphins
Special groups: The Dolphins have given up quite a lot of yards within the return sport and don’t get many on returns of their very own as coordinator Danny Crossman’s unit has struggled all season. A major instance was the first-quarter 93-yard kick return surrendered in opposition to the Packers final Sunday. Kicker Jason Sanders had a streak of 12 consecutive area objectives made, however missed one within the second half vs. Green Bay.
The Patriots persistently have one of many league’s prime particular groups models, particularly with 10-time Pro Bowl gunner Matthew Slater within the fold. Nick Folk is 30 of 35 on area objectives this season and uncharacteristically missed two additional factors final outing in opposition to the Bengals. Still have to provide New England the sting, but when Folk does one thing like that once more, it may flip this the opposite manner. Edge: Patriots
Intangibles: With the final assembly happening in Week 1, a lot may be thrown out from that matchup. It’s robust to enter Foxborough with rookie coach Mike McDaniel making an attempt to rally a group on a four-game shedding streak in opposition to the Patriots’ Bill Belichick, who owns eight Super Bowl rings between time as a head coach and an assistant.
Then there’s the adversity of Tagovailoa struggling one other concussion and the Dolphins once more having to show to a backup quarterback. It will likely be a problem, however a minimum of the New England climate seems to be favorable for this time of 12 months up north. Edge: Patriots
PREDICTION: Dolphins 20, Patriots 16
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com