NFL Match Preview: New England Patriots to host Miami Dolphins
The Patriots have done all that they set out to do in the regular season. They have clinched a playoff berth, they have the AFC East title, they have a first round bye week and the home field advantage. Nothing is at stake for the New England Patriots when
they face the Miami Dolphins this week at the Gillette Stadium.
What the Patriots would focus on this week would be making sure that none of their star players gets injured before the playoffs. Coach Bill Belichick has put a lot of pressure on his starters so far in the season and lost a few valuable names to injuries.
Belichick might actually let Tom Brady sit out Sunday’s game and leave Brian Hoyer to start in his place instead. Hoyer hasn’t started any games this season and attempted a total of just 2 passes in the whole season. On one of those attempts, he was intercepted.
But it wouldn’t matter now as no matter how bad the Patriots do against Miami, nothing changes for the playoffs. Brady’s backups could use the experience and Brady could use the rest.
The Patriots were in a similar situation last season when they took the AFC East title. New England’s starters including Brady and many other prominent Patriots played the season finale. Wide Receiver Wes Welker was injured in that game and was forced to
miss the next game against the Baltimore Ravens which the Patriots lost. Belichick still hasn’t decided about the starters.
“There’s a lot of things that would go into that conversation, a lot of things we’ll take into consideration,” said Belichick. He added that he would do what is best for the team and for the individual players. Tight Ends Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez,
Linebacker Jermaine Cunningham and Cornerback Devin McCourty did not play last week and the coach might just sit them out again this Sunday to have them ready in the playoffs.
Quarterback Tom Brady, however, doesn’t want to be left out. Playing the season finale would give the quarterback a chance to extend his 10 games streak without throwing an interception. In those last 10 games, Brady has thrown 24 touchdown passes and also
319 consecutive passes to break the previous NFL record. Brady has credited the protection provided to him by the offensive line for his record setting performance. “I’m never forced into rushing throws,” said Brady. He added that because the Patriots have
been able to take the lead over most of their opponents, the quarterback didn’t have to make desperate plays in tight spots, thus helping him create his interception-less streak.
There is one more reason why the Patriots would want Brady to start again on Sunday. So far in the regular season, New England have allowed only 9 turnovers. The current league turnovers record for 16 games is 13 and with Brady playing again, Patriots could
break that record. That could only happen if the Dolphins don’t throw a wrench in the Patriots’ gears.
At 7-8, Dolphins might not appear to be particularly threatening opponents for the Patriots. However, there is a catch. Miami are 1 win for 7 losses at home but on the road, they are a completely different team. They have won 6 games on the road and lost
only once. Their defence ranks 3rd in terms of yards allowed per game and are also the 7th best pass rushing side in the league.
Regardless of their success on the road, Dolphins are the underdogs heading into Sunday. If Dolphins are good on the road then Patriots are even better at home. If they beat Miami, it would mark their second season in which they would have been undefeated
at home.
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