Patriots – Dolphins Keys to the Game, Who Has the Razor’s Edge?
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Dolphins RBs vs NE Front Seven – Razor’s Edge New England
The Dolphins let Lamar Miller walk in free agency and the talented running back was never really properly utilized. They have Jay Ajayi who saw a bit of action in his rookie season, Damien Williams, Isiah Pead and rookie Kenyan Drake who are all backups. They signed Arian Foster who was a free agent from the Texans and he’s earned the starting role. Foster was a prolific back in Houston but age and injuries caught up with him. He may have lost a step in the running game but remains a very good receiver out of the backfield.
The Patriots made their plan to limit the talented David Johnson a week ago and other than one play where everything went south, they did just that. Johnson had 15 carries for just 44 yards before breaking that 45-yard run in the second half. New England has a good rotational group at defensive tackle with Malcom Brown, Alan Branch, Vincent Valentine and Anthony Johnson. The edge players, Chris Long and Jabaal Sheard were outstanding at setting the edge against Arizona. Jamie Collins is outstanding at filling the holes in run support. They’ll be without Dont’a Hightower who hasn’t practiced this week after injuring a knee on Sunday.
Chris Long looks to continue his strong play
Even without Hightower, the Patriots should have plenty of gap control to stop Foster from being a big factor in the running game. Rookie Elandon Roberts may see some action along with Shea McClellin, Jonathan Freeny, and Barkevious Mingo. The game plan here is to stop the run and force Tannehill into beating them.
Dolphins WRs vs NE Secondary- Razor’s Edge New England
Ryan Tannehill is on his third coach in a year, the carousel of coaches, coordinators and systems has to be mind boggling for the QB who enters an option year for the team in 2017. But the Dolphins seem to have found the right guy in Adam Gase who was called the “smartest guy I ever worked with” by Peyton Manning.
The Dolphins have plenty of weapons with Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills, DeVante Parker and rookie Leonte Caroo as well as Foster out of the backfield. They’ll need Parker who’s been nursing an injury to play this week. The tight end position with Jordan Cameron and Dion Sims has to step up.
The Patriots secondary is deeper this year, starters Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan, and Justin Coleman (slot) return at corner as do Devin McCourty and Pat Chung at safety but with the additions of Cyrus Jones, Jonathan Jones and Eric Rowe from Philly, the Pats have the ability to mix in their coverages much better. Collins and Mingo are athletic freaks at linebacker who can drop into coverage or blitz.
I’m looking for the edge players, Long, Sheard, and Trey Flowers to have an active game, pushing Tannehill out of his comfort zone and forcing some mistakes. Tannehill has thrown eight picks in eight career games against New England.
Special Teams- Razor’s Edge New England
The Patriots special teams get the edge in the kicking game, where Stephen Gostkowski is the best, most reliable kicker in the NFL. He was responsible in a very large way for the New England victory a week ago. And it didn’t all have to do with his scoring. Gostkowski was five for five hitting on all three FG attempts as well as both extra points but it was his kickoffs that made such a difference.
With the new rules in place placing the ball at the 25-yard line following a touchback, the Patriots made a concerted effort to force Arizona to return the kicks. Gostkowski was very effective at launching these short “mortar” kicks down close to the goal line. The hang time allowed the coverage units to stop the returns deep in Cardinals territory.
Gostkowski is clearly holding the edge over Andrew Franks for the Dolphins, who is still largely untested, attempting only 16 FGs a year ago.
Jakeem Grant had an impressive opener returning kicks for Miami, he’ll be a player to watch. Cyrus Jones is looking to step it up for the Pats, taking the heat off of Edelman and Amendola this season.
Next up, who wins and why…
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