1/1/23 Dolphins @ Patriots pregame thread

[turkeyneck]

I’d love to see Thornton or Pierre Strong return kicks. Both those guys have break away speed Bryant isn’t that fast.

Was Bryant returning kicks before they gave Marcus the return job early in the season? I can’t remember for sure.

Strong for sure but not Thornton unless you consider him disposable.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Strong for sure but not Thornton unless you consider him disposable.

Im starting to warm up to the idea of myles bryant on kickoffs now. Can he be the head gunner too

 

[venecol]

I’d love to see Thornton or Pierre Strong return kicks. Both those guys have break away speed Bryant isn’t that fast.

Was Bryant returning kicks before they gave Marcus the return job early in the season? I can’t remember for sure.

I think Strong was the KR and Marcus the PR.

 

[All3Phases]

Could happen…. but let’s also not pretend that the Dolphins are a powerhouse team who isn’t on a 4 game losing streak. Their run game isn’t that great and neither is their pass defense.

The Patriots held their offense to just 13 points last time.

Their running game isn’t even that bad, they just refuse to use it, which is odd

 

[venecol]

Looks like it'll be Bryant and Strong doing the returns.

 

[venecol]

I wonder if Bill regrets getting rid of the FB position. It was odd because when word came out that he was trying to implement more of Shanahan style schemes, all of those guys (Shanahan, McVay, McDaniels) use FBs.

 

[venecol]

Could happen…. but let’s also not pretend that the Dolphins are a powerhouse team who isn’t on a 4 game losing streak. Their run game isn’t that great and neither is their pass defense.

The Patriots held their offense to just 13 points last time.

Both of these teams have lost 4 of their last 5 games. MIA went toe to toe against the Bills in BUF. Their run D is about the same as ours. This game has to be won on Mac's shoulders.

MIA held our offense to just 7 points last time.

 

[upstater1]

Even if the Pats win, they still won't have done it because the Dolphins will be 8-8. Looks like they will have to beat the Bills to accomplish this feat. Although if the Jets, Lions and/or the Steelers win their last two games then they would qualify as a winning team. Also, if Miami beats the Jets after we take care of them this Sunday they would qualify, and the Jets would be out. According to the info I see, it is possible for the Pats to finish the year with 4 wins against teams with winning records. They would be either 4-5 or 4-4 depending on the Miami factor. This would make them have one of the top win totals against winning teams. Which basically makes me reconsider the value of this stat.

Jets are going to lose Sunday, beat the Phins next week.

So, the Patriots need a win tomorrow, and they're in: 8-9 or 9-8. Doesn't matter.

 

[Ross12]

Strange that Jack Jones has missed so much time, and that Mills missed so much time too... Is it just me or do they seem like they're holding guys out extra-long this year? Even Barmore was "supposed" to return and then went on IR instead. Damien Harris traveled with the team on the west coast trip, but didn't play either game despite being a game time decision both times, then also missed the home Bengals game.

 

[venecol]

Strange that Jack Jones has missed so much time, and that Mills missed so much time too... Is it just me or do they seem like they're holding guys out extra-long this year? Even Barmore was "supposed" to return and then went on IR instead. Damien Harris traveled with the team on the west coast trip, but didn't play either game despite being a game time decision both times, then also missed the home Bengals game.

Holding guys out extra time? Are you implying the Pats force players to play while they're still injured. Gronk wants to know.

 

[ashley]

Thanks. Great job in posting both teams!! Miami also has it's share of injuries they are dealing with as well.

 

[Ross12]

Holding guys out extra time? Are you implying the Pats force players to play while they're still injured. Gronk wants to know.

I just mean it seems like they're being very cautious.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Jets are going to lose Sunday, beat the Phins next week.

So, the Patriots need a win tomorrow, and they're in: 8-9 or 9-8. Doesn't matter.

Not sure the steelers will lose one more. Lamar is out again so they play tyler huntley and the browns. As bad as the Steelers are Neither club is very trustworthy

 

[venecol]

Thanks. Great job in posting both teams!! Miami also has it's share of injuries they are dealing with as well.

Yea, if their LT can't go it'll be a long afternoon for Bridgewater.

 

[Patsgofor4]

Bridgewater is not chopped liver. If he has time to throw to those receivers, it's trouble.

Agree. He’s not great and is no longer a legitimate starting option for an extended stretch but if you let him he can still sting you for 300+ yards and 2 to 3 TDs. Pats front 7 is going to have to win their matchup against the Dolphins OL decisively. Their OL is dinged up, so there’s that ray of hope.

 

[venecol]

Not sure the steelers will lose one more. Lamar is out again so they play tyler huntley and the browns. As bad as the Steelers are Neither club is very trustworthy

Agree, I see the Steelers winning out. They're playing much better, including Pickett who's thrown just 1 INT in his last 5 games (4-1). I can see the Jets winning out also, now that they've purged Wilson from their roster. Their D is elite and all White needs to do is minimize mistakes.

 

[Calhoun44]

Which 4? I see Lions, Steelers, and Jets or MIA, not both.

The Bills. When we stomp them next week.

 

[All3Phases]

Jets are going to lose Sunday, beat the Phins next week.

So, the Patriots need a win tomorrow, and they're in: 8-9 or 9-8. Doesn't matter.

They’d need jax to lose out as well correct?

 

[venecol]

 

[Ross12]

Jets are going to lose Sunday, beat the Phins next week.

So, the Patriots need a win tomorrow, and they're in: 8-9 or 9-8. Doesn't matter.

They'd also need the Steelers to drop one game, the Raiders to drop one game, and the Jaguars to either lose to Houston OR beat the Titans in the final week.