As the Miami Dolphins prepare to face off against their AFC East rivals, the New England Patriots, in Foxborough, both teams are desperate for a win. With both squads nursing three-game losing streaks and struggling offensively, this is a golden opportunity for one of these struggling teams to regain momentum and get into the win column.
The Dolphins, who entered the season with high expectations and Super Bowl hopes, have been blindsided by injuries—none more significant than the concussion suffered by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in Week 2. Since then, Miami’s offense has sputtered. Backup quarterbacks have failed to fill the void, and third-stringer Tyler Huntley will be under center for the second consecutive game. The result has been a steep drop from last year’s explosive output of 29.2 points per game to a league-worst 11.3 points this season.
New England, also has endured offensive woes, ranking 31st in the NFL with just 13 points per game. Jacoby Brissett has struggled as the starting quarterback, and the team has yet to find its groove. Complicating matters, the Patriots’ already thin offensive line has been decimated by injuries, making life even more difficult for Brissett and the team’s stagnant offense.
Despite their offensive struggles, the Dolphins boast one of the most dangerous wide receiver duos in the league in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. While Hill has been relatively quiet in recent weeks—posting just 87 yards in the last three games—he is always a big-play threat, and New England will need to account for him at all times. However, it’s Waddle who could be the key for Miami in this matchup. He has fared well against the Patriots in the past, tallying 416 yards and four touchdowns in six career games against them.
Running back De’Von Achane has also shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in the red zone. Given the state of the Dolphins’ passing game, Achane’s ability to grind out yards and punch the ball in could be critical to keeping the offense afloat.
For New England, the spotlight will be on running back Rhamondre Stevenson, who has accounted for two of the team’s four touchdowns this season. Stevenson has the power to break through Miami’s front seven, and in a game where points will be hard to come by, his ability to find the end zone will be key.
Additionally, with the offensive line in shambles, the Patriots will need Antonio Gibson to step up. While Gibson isn’t the most powerful runner, his versatility as a pass-catcher could provide a much-needed spark to a unit that has struggled to move the chains.
On the other side of the ball, Miami’s defense has been a bright spot. Ranking fifth in passing defense and sixth in total yards allowed, they’ve kept the Dolphins in games despite the offense’s ineptitude. With New England’s offensive line banged up and Brissett under constant pressure, the Dolphins’ pass rush will be crucial. Look for Miami to dial up the blitz in an effort to rattle Brissett and force mistakes.
On the downside the Dolphins have been prone to penalties—particularly on offense, where pre-snap infractions like illegal shifts have killed drives. Miami will need to clean up these mental errors if they hope to pull off a victory on the road.
Prediction
While both teams are struggling, Miami’s injury situation at quarterback makes it tough to envision them coming out on top in a hostile environment like Foxborough. Tyler Huntley is still getting comfortable in the offense, and though the Dolphins have superior skill players, they simply haven’t been able to get them involved consistently. New England, with its own struggles on offense, will capitalize on turnovers and field position to grind out a victory.
The Patriots’ running game, led by Stevenson, will find enough success against a Dolphins defense that has been solid but not impenetrable. Miami’s inability to stay in rhythm offensively will continue to haunt them, and even though their defense will keep them in the game, it won’t be enough to secure a win.
Expect a low-scoring, grind-it-out affair in which New England does just enough to come away with a 24-13 victory, handing Miami a tough road loss.
Patriots 24, Dolphins 13
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