Miami Dolphins face their AFC East rivals New England Patriots in Week 13 – NFL Preview
New England Patriots will go on road with a chance of clinching the American Football League (AFC) East title as they take on their division opponents Miami Dolphins in Week 13 contest on Sunday, December 02, 2012, at Sun Life Stadium, Miami, Florida.
Patriots have an exceptional record playing against teams of their own division and have won last eight games in a row against them.
However, their best performance out of those eight games came last week when they ripped apart New York Jets during a 49-19 thrashing in Week 12.
The team scored a franchise record 35 points in the second quarter of that game which included three touchdowns scored within a time frame of 53 seconds.
Patriots (8-3) have won five games in a row and are dismantling any team that is coming in their way. Talking about the team’s current run of form, wide receiver Matthew Slater said:
"We're really thankful as a team to be where we are right now, to have a chance to be in position to play for something else. But we realize that eight wins doesn't get us anything. That'll get us a ticket home at the end of the season."
Patriots offence is currently ranked best in the league with the massive average of 37 points scored per game.
The team has averaged 43.8 points per game during the victorious run of five games in which quarterback Tom Brady has covered 1,454 passing yards and has scored 14 touchdowns.
The defence has also played a major role in the team’s recent run of form as it has scored six out of 28 touchdowns scored by Patriots in last five games.
Meanwhile, Dolphins (5-6) are confident that they can turn the season around after getting a 24-21 victory over Seattle Seahawks in Week 12.
The team is placed second in the division and eighth in the conference, just two positions behind the last playoff spot.
However, they will face Patriots twice in coming weeks of the season. Giving his views about facing Patriots, Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill said:
"They're just another team. They're a really good team. They've won a lot of games this year. But it's not something that affects us. They're an opportunistic defence. The focus this week -- as it is every week -- is to not have turnovers. In order for us
to win that battle, we can't turn it over."
Tannehill has been impressive in his rookie season, but the quarterback has thrown six interceptions in last three games.
However, the offence will get a support from the reviving running game. The team covered a total of 189 rushing yards in Week 12. Both running backs Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas scored touchdown each in that game and looked to back up each other very well.
The two teams will play against each other again in Week 17.
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