{"id":45034,"date":"2022-12-30T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-30T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=45034"},"modified":"2022-12-29T22:02:14","modified_gmt":"2022-12-30T03:02:14","slug":"week-17-patriots-preview-miami-dolphins-playoffs-in-the-balance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2022\/12\/30\/week-17-patriots-preview-miami-dolphins-playoffs-in-the-balance\/","title":{"rendered":"Week 17 Patriots Preview: Miami Dolphins – Playoffs in the balance"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here we are in week 17 and both the Patriots and Dolphins are relevant when it comes to fighting for a playoff spot.\u00a0 I never expected this game would have playoff implications and that the Patriots would have played as well as they have.\u00a0 Don\u2019t get me wrong, the offense has been brutal, but the defense has been outstanding and is keeping the team in the game.<\/p>\n

Miami is limping into New England.\u00a0 They lost last week to Green Bay at home, where they have a tremendous advantage because of the heat (it was actually cold in Miami last weekend).\u00a0 Unfortunately, the Patriots are not going to receive their home-field advantage of cold weather.\u00a0 Temps are supposed to reach the 50s on Sunday.<\/p>\n

The biggest news was Miami putting Tua Tagovailoa in the Concussion Protocol.\u00a0 He is listed as Questionable but I have read that Miami declared him Out for Sunday already.\u00a0 \u00a0 That would be the smart thing to do.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

OFFENSE<\/strong><\/p>\n

3WR 1TE<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nSTARTER<\/strong><\/td>\n2ND<\/strong><\/td>\n3RD<\/strong><\/td>\n4TH<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
QB<\/td>\nTua Tagovailoa Q<\/td>\nTeddy Bridgewater<\/td>\nSkylar Thompson<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RB<\/td>\nRaheem Mostert<\/td>\nJeff Wilson<\/td>\nSalvon Ahmed<\/td>\nMyles Gaskin IR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WR<\/td>\nTyreek Hill<\/td>\nRiver Cracraft Q<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WR<\/td>\nJaylen Waddle<\/td>\nCedrick Wilson<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WR<\/td>\nTrent Sherfield<\/td>\nErik Ezukanma<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
TE<\/td>\nDurham Smythe<\/td>\nMike Gesicki<\/td>\nHunter Long<\/td>\nTanner Conner<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
FB<\/td>\nAlec Ingold Q<\/td>\nJohn Lovett IR<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LT<\/td>\nTerron\u00a0Armstead<\/td>\nGreg Little<\/td>\nEric Fisher\u00a0Q<\/td>\nBrandon Shell<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LG<\/td>\nLiam Eichenberg<\/td>\nRobert\u00a0Jones<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
C<\/td>\nConnor\u00a0Williams<\/td>\nMichael Deiter<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RG<\/td>\nRobert\u00a0Hunt<\/td>\nRobert\u00a0Jones<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RT<\/td>\nBrandon Shell<\/td>\nGreg Little<\/td>\nAustin Jenkins IR<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Quarterback<\/strong><\/p>\n

Teddy Bridgewater is the man now.\u00a0 He is a very capable backup and although he doesn\u2019t possess the skills that Tua has he will manage the game well and can utilize the many weapons the Phins have on offense.\u00a0 Here are Bridgewater\u2019s stats:<\/p>\n

GP\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Comp\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Att\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Comp %\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Yds\/ G\u00a0\u00a0 TDs\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 INT\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sacks<\/p>\n

4\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 37\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 60\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 61.7%\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 130.5 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t believe I am going to say this!\u00a0 The Patriots will try and smother the Dolphins’ running game and play zone in the secondary and hope that Bridgewater will make a mistake.<\/p>\n

If Bridgewater should go down, Skylar Thompson is the 3rd<\/sup> QB.\u00a0 He has seen action in 5 games this season.<\/p>\n

Although the Dolphins have not ruled Tagovailoa Out, he will\/should not play this week and maybe longer.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Runningback<\/strong><\/p>\n

This position is much different from the start of the season.\u00a0 Raheem Mostert is the starter and Jeff Wilson is the #2 back.\u00a0 They share the carries.\u00a0 They each carry the ball about 10 times a game.\u00a0 Here are their stats:<\/p>\n

G\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Att\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yds\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Avg\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 TD\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yds\/G\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fum<\/p>\n

Mostert\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a014\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 161\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0791\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 4.9\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 56.5\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1<\/p>\n

Wilson\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 6\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 53\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 275\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5.2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 45.8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1<\/p>\n

Salvon Ahmed is the 3rd<\/sup> back and he is very capable.\u00a0 Tua has not run much this season (24 for 70 yards), and only ran twice for no yards in the 1st<\/sup> meeting.<\/p>\n

In the passing game, the running backs are not a big threat.\u00a0 Mostert has 21 catches on 32 targets for 150 yards and a TD.\u00a0 Wilson has only 7 catches in 6 games on 15 targets.\u00a0 His yardage is only 81 yards and he also has 1 TD.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wide Receivers<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is the bread and butter of the Dolphins.\u00a0 In the article previewing the 1st<\/sup> week, I talked about their improved speed.\u00a0 Replacing Davante Parker with Tyreek Hill was a huge lift.\u00a0 Parker is the worst WR trying to get separation from a DB in the league and has been for the last three years.\u00a0 Replacing him was addition by subtraction.\u00a0 Getting Tyreek Hill is the icing on the cake.\u00a0 He is speed personified.\u00a0 Hill is the quickest and fastest WR in the league.\u00a0 He will take a little crossing pattern and outrun the defense for a TD.\u00a0 Jaylen Waddle is just as good if not better.\u00a0 Up-and-coming WR Trent Sherfield has impressed over the last month and he has pushed Cedric Wilson into the background.\u00a0 He is another smurf with turn-and-burn speed. Here are their stats:<\/p>\n

G\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rec\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tar\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yds\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Avg\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 TDs<\/p>\n

Hill\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a015\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 113\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 158\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1622\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 14.4\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 7<\/p>\n

Waddle\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 15\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 67\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 107\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1260\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 18.8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 8<\/p>\n

Sherfield\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 15\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 28\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 45\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 387\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 13.8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2<\/p>\n

Wilson\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a014\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a012\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 18\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 136\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 11.3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 0<\/p>\n

The Wide Receiver group has been healthy all year and their numbers show that with two receivers well over 100 receptions and 1200 yards each.\u00a0 Waddle\u2019s 18.8 yards per reception is a great number.<\/p>\n

Tight Ends <\/strong><\/p>\n

Mike Gesicki has given way to Durham Smythe as the #1 TE.\u00a0 The Phins tried in vain to trade Gesicki at the trade deadline.\u00a0 Gesicki does have 4 TDs among his 15 catches on the year.\u00a0 Smythe has 11.\u00a0 Smythe is a much better blocker and Gesicki never gets into a three-point stance.<\/p>\n

Offensive Line <\/strong><\/p>\n

This is an area Miami has had problems with.\u00a0 PFF.com ranks them 22nd in the league.\u00a0 They still have the Patriots’ O-line as #8. Left Tackle is manned by Terron Armstead who the Dolphins signed away from the Saints.\u00a0 The 10-year vet is a 4-time Pro Bowl LT.\u00a0 Armstead also was selected as a 2nd<\/sup> team All-Pro in 2018. Left Guard Liam Eichenberg is a 2nd<\/sup> Round selection out of Notre Dame in 2021 and has started 20 of 20 games in his career.\u00a0 Center has Free Agent Connor Williams who came over from the Cowboys.\u00a0 Drafted in 2018, Williams worked his way into the starting lineup in 2019 and played 11 games before needing knee surgery which ended his season.\u00a0 In March of 2022, Williams signed a 2-year $14M contract with the Dolphins.\u00a0 Right Guard Robert Hunt was drafted in the 2nd<\/sup> Round of the 2022 draft.\u00a0 Hunt has played in 36 of 41 games he has suited up for.\u00a0\u00a0 Right Tackle Brandon Shell came up from the Dolphins Practice Squad and has started 6 games.\u00a0 He is the grand-nephew of Hall\u2013of\u2013Fame Tackle Art Shell.\u00a0 The 7-year vet was drafted by the NY Jets and has started 60 of 71 games he has played in.\u00a0 Of all the linemen he is the weak link.\u00a0 The Dolphins pass a lot and their QBs have been sacked 32 times this year.\u00a0 It will be imperative that Uche and Judon put pressure on Bridgewater.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

DEFENSE <\/strong><\/p>\n

Base 3-4 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nSTARTER<\/strong><\/td>\n2ND<\/strong><\/td>\n3RD<\/strong><\/td>\n4TH<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LDE<\/td>\nChristian\u00a0Wilkins<\/td>\nJustin Zimmer<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NT<\/td>\nRaekwon\u00a0Davis<\/td>\nJohn Jenkins<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RDE<\/td>\nZach Sieler<\/td>\nEmmanuel Ogbah\u00a0IR<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WLB<\/td>\nJaelan\u00a0Phillips<\/td>\nMelvin\u00a0Ingram<\/td>\nAndrew Van Ginkel<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LILB<\/td>\nElandon\u00a0Roberts<\/td>\nSam Eguavoen<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RILB<\/td>\nJerome\u00a0Baker<\/td>\nDuke\u00a0Riley<\/td>\nChanning Tindall<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SLB<\/td>\nBradley Chubb<\/td>\nAndrew Van Ginkel<\/td>\nTrey Flowers IR<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LCB<\/td>\nXavien\u00a0Howard<\/td>\nKader Kohou<\/td>\nKeion Crossen<\/td>\nTrill\u00a0Williams IR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SS<\/td>\nEric Rowe<\/td>\nJustin Bethel<\/td>\nClayton Fejedelem<\/td>\nBrandon\u00a0Jones IR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
FS<\/td>\nJevon Holland<\/td>\nVerone\u00a0McKinley<\/td>\nElijah\u00a0Campbell<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RCB<\/td>\nNoah Igbinoghene<\/td>\nJustin Bethel<\/td>\nByron\u00a0Jones O<\/td>\nNik Needham\u00a0IR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Defensive Line <\/strong><\/p>\n

The front three for the Dolphins are formidable.\u00a0 It starts with LDE Christian Wilkins who has 86 tackles and 51 solos. He makes plays sideline to sideline and was named 1st<\/sup> alternate to the Pro Bowl. The 2019 1st<\/sup> round pick out of Clemson played High School ball at Framingham MA HS before moving on to the Suffield Academy in Connecticut.\u00a0 \u00a0Raekwon Davis is stout at the Nose Tackle position allowing the linebackers to run free and make tackles. \u00a0Zach Seiler has emerged as a solid RDE with 61 tackles. \u00a0He was a 7th<\/sup> Round pick of Baltimore and played 2 games for them in 2018.\u00a0 Miami picked him off waivers in 2019.\u00a0 He had 3.5 sacks last year and 2 so far this season.\u00a0 John Jenkins is a solid backup.<\/p>\n

Linebackers <\/strong><\/p>\n

Old friend Elandon Roberts is the leading tackler for Miami with 93 followed by fellow linebacker Jerome Baker with 92.\u00a0 The Roberts signing, taking him away from the Patriots has worked out well for the Phins.\u00a0 Baker signed a three-year extension with the Dolphins in 2021.\u00a0 Jaelen Phillips is another player that has developed well in the Dolphins system.\u00a0 Phillips was a 2018 1st-round pick by Miami out of the University of Miami.\u00a0 \u00a0It took him a while to break into the lineup as last season was his 1st<\/sup> as a full-time player,\u00a0 he had 42 tackles and 8.5 sacks.\u00a0 This season he has 7 sacks to lead the Dolphins.\u00a0 Bradley Chubb was acquired by Miami in the 2022 season.\u00a0 He has played 8 games for the Dolphins and has 28 tackles and 5 sacks.\u00a0 \u00a0Kader Kohou has 68 tackles bouncing between starter and backup.\u00a0 Andrew Van Ginkel has 43 tackles as a backup.\u00a0 Former Patriots special team ace Justin Bethel and Verone McKinley provide backup help.<\/p>\n

Defensive Backs<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jevon Holland is a superior Safety.\u00a0 He leads the secondary with 81 tackles, 4th<\/sup> on the team.\u00a0 He was the Dolphins’ 2nd<\/sup> rd pick in 2021 #36 overall and the 1st<\/sup> Safety taken. \u00a0Eric Rowe, another former Patriot, is a strong safety and has added 64 tackles, almost equaling his output from last season.\u00a0 Xavien Howard is a superb cornerback that the Dolphins place on the opponent\u2019s top receiver. Howard was a 2nd<\/sup> round pick in 2016.\u00a0 The veteran has 43 tackles this season in 14 games.\u00a0 With Byron Jones still out, Noah Igbinoghene is taking his spot. \u00a0He only has 10 tackles in 8 games.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SPECIAL TEAMS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nSTARTER<\/strong><\/td>\n2ND<\/strong><\/td>\n3RD<\/strong><\/td>\n4TH<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PK<\/td>\nJason Sanders<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
P<\/td>\nThomas Morstead<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
H<\/td>\nThomas\u00a0Morstead<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PR<\/td>\nTyreek Hill<\/td>\nJaylen Waddle<\/td>\nJevon Holland<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
KR<\/td>\nRaheem Mostert<\/td>\nJaylen Waddle<\/td>\nNoah Igbinoghene<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LS<\/td>\nBlake Ferguson<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Thomas Morstead is the punter and he ranks #21.\u00a0 Jason Sanders has been a bit inconsistent and ranks 13th<\/sup>.\u00a0 Punt Returns are handled by Tyreek Hill, a danger anytime he gets his hands on the ball.\u00a0 He is ranked dead last but only has 2 returns for -4 yards.\u00a0 Marcus Jones is the league leader and should have been voted to the Pro Bowl rather than Devin Duvernay who is ranked 16th<\/sup>.\u00a0\u00a0 Kick returns are the responsibility of Raheem Mostert.\u00a0 He is ranked 19th<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Injury Report <\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (7-8)<\/strong><\/p>\n

DID NOT PARTICIPATE<\/strong>
\nT Yodny Cajuste, Illness
\nCB Jack Jones, Knee
\nDB Marcus Jones, Concussion
\nCB Jalen Mills, Groin
\nWR DeVante Parker, Concussion
\nSpT Matthew Slater, Not Injury Related \/ Rest
\nTE Jonnu Smith, Concussion<\/p>\n

Thursday Practice \u2013 add Adrian Phillips (Illness) to those that Did Not Participate<\/p>\n

LIMITED PARTICIPATION<\/strong>
\nRB Damien Harris, Thigh
\nTE Hunter Henry, Knee
\nCB Jonathan Jones, Chest<\/p>\n

RB Rhamondre Stevenson, Ankle
\nWR Tyquan Thornton, Knee<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MIAMI DOLPHINS (8-7)<\/strong><\/p>\n

DID NOT PARTICIPATE<\/strong>
\nT Terron Armstead, Toe \/ Pec \/ Knee \/ Hip
\nLB Bradley Chubb, Ankle \/ Hand
\nWR River Cracraft, Calf
\nT Eric Fisher, Calf
\nFB Alec Ingold, Thumb
\nLB Melvin Ingram, Not Injury Related – Vet Rest
\nRB Raheem Mostert, Not Injury Related – Vet Rest
\nQB Tua Tagovailoa, Concussion<\/p>\n

LIMITED PARTICIPATION<\/strong>
\nS Clayton Fejedelem, Knee
\nLB Jaelan Phillips, Toe
\nS Eric Rowe, Quad \/ Knee<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Weather<\/strong><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, we are not going to get the benefit of cold weather.\u00a0 The Dolphins don\u2019t play well in the cold.\u00a0 Temps are going to reach the 50s with a chance of rain.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bottom line<\/strong><\/p>\n

Both teams need this game to continue in the playoff hunt.\u00a0 I think it will come down to who is the healthiest.\u00a0 I am concerned that we have too many injuries in the secondary.\u00a0 Jalen Mills (Groin), Jack Jones (knee), Marcus Jones (concussion), and Jon Jones currently being on the injury list.\u00a0 Jon Jones looks like he may be able to play.\u00a0 That puts Myles Bryant as the slot corner and Shaun Wade as the only healthy backup.\u00a0 The Patriots’ defense has to slow down the Dolphins’ offense.\u00a0 I think they stop the run and force Teddy Bridgewater to be one-dimensional.\u00a0 \u00a0I think they play the soft zone again to take away the big play.\u00a0 Keep everything in front of them and hope that pressure can get to Bridgewater and force some bad throws.<\/p>\n

On Offense, the plays need to be mixed up, not the predictable run on 1st<\/sup> down run on 3rd<\/sup> down and pass on third and long.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Let Mac Jones complete some easy throws early to gain confidence.\u00a0 Continue to throw the ball downfield.\u00a0 The Offensive line needs to come up big.\u00a0 The Dolphins like to blitz.\u00a0 Get the plays in early and allow Jones time to make adjustments at the Line.\u00a0 Vary the snap count and don\u2019t wait till the last seconds on the play clock to snap the ball.<\/p>\n

Special teams have to play better all around.\u00a0 Missed extra points and FGs cannot happen.<\/p>\n

I have the Patriots coming out ahead 24-20.\u00a0 The defense has to keep Miami at 20 or fewer points for any chance to win his game.<\/p>\n

The Patriots as a team must cut down on the pre-snap penalties and play smarter.\u00a0 DO YOUR JOB, don’t try to do too much!\u00a0 The Offensive line has 38 penalties, the most in the league.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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