WEEK 5 · Sun 10/06 · 1:00 PM EDT
Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
AT
Patriots
New England Patriots
PATRIOTS: Game Release (PDF) | Roster | Depth Chart | Stats
DOLPHINS: Roster | Depth Chart | Stats | Roster Flip Card (PDF)
The New England Patriots will return to Gillette Stadium for two straight home games after being on the road for the last two weeks. This Sunday, the Patriots will face Miami in the first of two scheduled games between the two AFC East Division opponents. The Patriots will travel to Miami on Nov. 24 for the second meeting. After the Miami game, the Patriots will continue the home stand when they host Houston.
SERIES HISTORY
The New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins will square off for the first of two scheduled meetings in 2024 in the annual series of AFC East Rivals.
The teams will meet for a second time in Miami on Nov. 24, 2024. Last season, Miami earned its 15th series sweep with a 24-17 win at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 17, 2023 and a 31-17 win at Hard Rock Stadium on Oct. 29, 2023.
New England has the advantage against Miami in home games, leading the series, 38-20, including 17-5 at Gillette Stadium.
The Dolphins and Patriots met for the first time in 1966 and began playing twice a year during the 1967 regular season, except in 1982 during a players' strike.
The two teams have played three times in the postseason with New England holding a 2-1 advantage.
SERIES BREAKDOWN
MIAMI 62, NEW ENGLAND 55
(Including New England 2, Miami 1 in Playoffs)
Record in New England: 38-20 (Incl. 1-0 in playoffs)
- Record in Foxborough: 36-18 (1-0)
- Record in Boston: 2-2
Record in Miami: 17-42 (Incl. 1-1 in playoffs)
- Record at Dolphins / Hard Rock 13-24
- Record at Orange Bowl 3-18 (1-1)
- Record in Tampa* 1-0
Season Sweeps: Patriots: 10, Dolphins 15
Season Splits: 31 (Most recent 2022)
*A Miami home game was played in Tampa in 1969.
QUICK HITS
Since 2000, the Patriots are 104-45 (.698) against AFC East opponents. New England is 27-21 against the Dolphins over that span, 37-12 against the New York Jets and 37-11 against the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots were 3-1 against Indianapolis from 2000 through 2001 when they were in the AFC East.
SCOUTING THE MATCHUPS
By Paul Perillo
When the Patriots run - Edge: Dolphins
The Patriots need to get back to the basics that served them well to open the season and that's running the football. The offense grinded its way to 355 yards on the ground in the first two weeks but has been held in check on the ground ever since. Part of the problem has been the team has fallen behind and hasn't been able to stick with the running game, but Rhamondre Stevenson's fumbles have also contributed to the lack of recent production. Stevenson fumbled once in all four games and lost one in each of the last two. Jerod Mayo sat him briefly after his miscue against the Niners, but he returned shortly thereafter. Ball security has been the main issue but not the only one. Stevenson hasn't been nearly as productive the last two weeks, averaging 3.3 yards per carry in the loss to the Niners. Miami won't be the easiest defense to try to regain the early-season form against. The Dolphins have been stout against the run, allowing around 112 yards per game on the season. Veteran Calais Campbell and Zach Sieler man the defensive tackle spots in front of linebackers Jordyn Brooks and David Long, who missed the Titans game with a sore hamstring. That group has been competitive stopping the run in most games, although the Bills enjoyed success on the ground in Week 2. The Patriots need to try to establish the run early in order to return to the dominance they enjoyed against Cincinnati and Seattle.
When the Patriots pass - Edge: Dolphins
Miami's secondary had a strange start to the season. The group managed to contain most of its opponents, allowing well below 200 yards per game through the air. However, opponents were able to connect for a handful of big plays as the Dolphins allowed better than 7 yards per pass play, which ranks in the bottom five in the league. Starting corners Jalen Ramsey and Kendall Fuller have been inconsistent, and the normally reliable safety tandem of Jordan Poyer and Jevon Holland also suffered through its share of mistakes. Fuller missed the Titans game with a concussion and Storm Duck took his spot. But the key for the Patriots will be less about the coverage they face as it will be about the pass protection. The offensive line continues to struggle, and injuries continue to wreak havoc. Center David Andrews missed most the Niners loss with a shoulder injury and was replaced by Nick Leverett. Waiver wire pickup Trey Jacobs started and went the distance at left tackle and had his hands full. Sidy Sow made his 2024 debut and also struggled. Miami hasn't lit it up in terms of the pass rush, but Jaelan Phillips is a talented edge presence who is rounding back into form coming off a torn Achilles. If Jacoby Brissett doesn't get more time than he has in recent weeks the matchups in the passing game won't matter.
When the Dolphins run - Edge: Patriots
All of the problems the Patriots have had on offense have also existed in Miami. With Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve while dealing with a concussion, the Dolphins have been the least productive offense in football. The quarterback issues have certainly contributed to the ground game woes as defenses have been able to keep De'Von Achane in check without worrying about the passing game. Miami also has its share of injuries up front as left tackle Terron Armstead (concussion) missed most of the past two games and was replaced by Kendall Lamm. The health issues up front have prevented the Dolphins once-potent offense from getting untracked. That should be good news for a Patriots defense that hasn't been at its best in recent weeks. After a strong start stopping the run, both the Jets and Niners racked up well over 120 yards on the ground. But New England remains in the top 10 in that department, and Davon Godchaux & Co. should be able to keep Achane under wraps. Raheem Mostert has been banged up to start the season and he could return to add some depth to the backfield, but this is a ground game the Patriots should be able to prevent from doing much damage.
When the Dolphins pass - Edge: Patriots
With Tagovailoa out the Miami passing game looks entirely different. Skyler Thompson started the Week 3 loss in Seattle and was knocked out with a rib injury. Tim Boyle finished that game and was ineffective as well, causing Mike McDaniel to turn to recent practice squad signee Tyler Huntley. Huntley, the former Ravens backup, hasn't enjoyed much NFL success in his career filling in for Lamar Jackson, but he also hasn't had weapons like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle to help his cause. Those two are capable of making big plays, which has been a problem recently for the Patriots secondary. The Niners had completions of 53, 45, 38 and 32 yards last week, finding plenty of room down the middle of the field. Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones and Marcus Jones will need some help over the top from safeties Jabrill Peppers and Jaylinn Hawkins to prevent the Dolphins dynamic duo from turning in the big play. Kyle Dugger (ankle) was carted off during the first half in Santa Clara and did not return. Given the Dolphins problems at quarterback, sustaining long drives with short throws will be difficult so the Patriots should expect some shots downfield regardless of who is throwing the passes. Eliminating those home run balls will be key.
Special Teams - Edge: Patriots
Joey Slye had a monster game against San Francisco, connecting on field goals of 63 and 54 yards, the former representing a team record. Bryce Baringer also continued his solid work with four punts downed inside the Niners 20 in four attempts as the coverage unit was outstanding. The Patriots also picked up a turnover when Christian Elliss recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff of the second half. The return game hasn't made any big plays, but Marcus Jones averaged 13 yards on his three attempts against the Niners, creating solid field position to set up the 63-yarder at the end of the half. Miami has a pair of quality specialists in kicker Jason Sanders and punter Jake Bailey, the former Patriot. Another former Patriot, Braxton Berrios, handles kicks and punts and has given the team a boost in the latter department with a 44-yarder on his resume. Both teams have been sound in the coverage department, especially on punts.
TALE OF THE TAPE
| 2024 REGULAR SEASON | NEW ENGLAND | MIAMI |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 1-3 | 1-3 |
| Divisional Standings | 3rd (T) | 3rd (T) |
| Total Yards Gained | 955 | 1,140 |
| Total Offense (Rank) | 238.8 (32) | 285.0 (26) |
| Rush Offense | 126.5 (12) | 97.8 (24) |
| Pass Offense | 112.3 (32) | 187.3 (23) |
| Points Per Game | 13.0 (31) | 11.3 (32) |
| Total Yards Allowed | 1,413 | 1,128 |
| Total Defense (Rank) | 353.3 (24) | 282.0 (6) |
| Rush Defense | 99.3 (9) | 119.5 (16) |
| Pass Defense | 254.0 (28) | 162.5 (5) |
| Points Allowed / Game | 21.8 (17T) | 25.8 (26) |
| Possession Avg. | 28:53 | 30:47 |
| Sacks Allowed / Yards Lost | 17/109 | 13/96 |
| Sacks Made / Yards | 9/44 | 7/50 |
| Total Touchdowns Scored | 4 | 4 |
| Penalties Against / Yards | 16/172 | 37/336 |
| Punts / Avg. | 20/51.6 | 16/47.6 |
| Turnover Differential | 0 (15T) | 0 (15T) |
CONNECTIONS
FORMER PATRIOTS
- GM Chris Grier 1994 (Intern), 1995-99 (Regional Scout)
- WR Coach Wes Welker, 2007-12
- WR Braxton Berrios, 2018
- P Jake Bailey, 2019-22
- OL Isaiah Wynn, 2020-22
- TE Jonnu Smith, 2021-22
- OL Chasen Hines, 2022-23
- DE William Bradley-King, 2023
FORMER DOLPHINS
- LB Raekwon McMillan, 2017-19
- DL Davon Godchaux, 2017-20
- Asst. WR Coach Tiquan Underwood, 2019
- QB Jacoby Brissett, 2021
PATRIOTS TO WATCH
- K Joey Slye connected on a team-record 63-yard field goal at the end of the second quarter at San Francisco last week. It is his second career 60-yard field goal. He connected on a 61-yard field goal vs. Philadelphia on Oct. 29, 2023, when he played for Washington. If he connects on a 60-yard field goal this week against Miami, he will join Brandon Aubrey (3), Greg Zuerlein (3), Matt Prater (3) and Brett Maher (4) as the only players with at least three 60-yard field goals.
- Slye connected on field goals of 63 and 54 yards last week at San Francisco (9/29). It was the fifth time in Patriots history that a player has connected on two field goals of 50-plus yards in the same game. He can become the first Patriots player to accomplish the feat in back-to-back weeks if he connects on two 50-plus field goals this week against Miami.
- Slye connected on consecutive field goals of 50-plus yards at San Francisco with the 63-yard and 54-yard field goals. If Slye connects on a 50-plus field goal on his first attempt against Miami, it will give him three consecutive field goals from 50-plus yards. K Stephen Gostkowski did that three times (2012, 2013 and 2017) and K Nick Folk did it one time (2021) with the Patriots. The NFL record for the most consecutive field goal attempts and makes from 50-plus yards is held by K Ka'imi Fairbairn of Houston with six straight from the last two games of the 2023 season through the first two games of the 2024 season.
- TE Hunter Henry is eighth on the all-time reception list among New England tight ends with 147 receptions. He needs 3 receptions this week against Miami to become the eighth New England tight end to reach 150 receptions.
- DE Keion White has had at least 2 quarterback hits in each of the first four games of the season and will look to extend that mark with at least 2 quarterback hits this week against Miami. His 9 quarterback hits are tied for fourth in the NFL in 2024. The most quarterback hits in a season by a New England player are the 28 quarterback hits by LB Matthew Judon during the 2022 season.
- DL Deatrich Wise Jr. has recorded back-to-back games with a sack for the second time in his career and first since he opened his career with sacks in back-to-back games in 2017. If he records a sack against Miami this week, it will be the first time that he has recorded a sack in three straight games. The last time a Patriots player recorded a sack in three straight games was in 2023 when LB Mack Wilson Sr. had a sack at Pittsburgh (12/7), vs. Kansas City (12/17) and at Denver (12/24).
- RB Antonio Gibson averaged 8.7-yards per carry vs. Seattle (9/15) on 11 carries for 96 yards. If he averages at least 8.0 yards per carry this week against the Dolphins, he will be the first Patriots running back since RB Sammy Morris in 2008 to have two games on the year averaging at least 8.0-yards per carry (minimum of 10 carries). Morris averaged 8.6 yards per carry vs. Denver on Oct. 20 and 8.4 yards at Oakland on Dec. 14.
- P Bryce Baringer extended his streak to 21-straight games with at least one 50-yard punt with a 61-yard punt in the second quarter at San Francisco (9/29). His 21-game streak is the longest current streak in the NFL. Indianapolis P Rigoberto Sanchez is in second with a 20-game streak. The NFL record for the longest streak with at least one 50-yard punt since 1970 is 38 by Shane Lechler (2007-10).
- Baringer is first in the NFL with 13 punts inside the 20-yard line in 2024. He is on pace to finish the year with 55 punts inside the 20-yard line, which would be a new NFL record. P Johnny Hekker had 51 punts inside the 20-yard line in 2016 with the Los Angeles Rams. In 2023, Baringer led the NFL and set a team record with 38 punts inside the 20-yard line. He is on pace to become the second Patriots punter with back-to-back seasons with at least 30 punts inside the 20-yard line. Jake Bailey had 36 punts inside the 20-yard line in 2019 and 31 in 2020.
BROADCAST INFO
TELEVISION: This week's game will be broadcast by FOX and can be seen locally on WFXT-TV Channel 25. Chris Myers will handle play-by-play duties with Mark Sanchez as the color analyst. Kristina Pink will work from the sidelines. The game will be produced by Barry Landis and directed by Scott Katz.
NATIONAL RADIO: Sunday's game will be broadcast to a national audience on Sports USA. John Ahlers will call the game and Brandon Noble will be providing analysis.
LOCAL RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub is the flagship station for the Patriots Radio Network. A complete listing of the network's 33 stations can be found here. Play-by-play broadcaster Bob Socci will call the action along with former Patriots quarterback Scott Zolak, who will provide color analysis. The games are produced by Marc Cappello.
For information on how to stream the game please visit our Ways to Watch guide.
