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Players to Watch: Patriots vs. Dolphins
Patriots Football Weekly's Andy Hart gives you his players to watch during Sunday's matchup with the Miami Dolphins.
The left tackle missed a day of practice this week due to a concussion. If he can't play, it would leave a big hole on Tom Brady's blindside. If Solder can, he faces a major challenge in a solid Dolphins front that includes breakout pass rusher Olivier Vernon.
New England's passing back has been on roll since returning from injury, including last week's record-setting, 12-catch effort. Now, though, he'll be an even more critical part of the offense and must prove he can produce without Rob Gronkowski on the field.
The Patriots leading receiver has been pretty consistent all year. Now, though, he's going to be leaned on even further with the offense looking to find its identity heading down the stretch.
Jones should be a counted on playmaker on a New England defense that's banged up and undermanned in many other spots. Veteran Dolphins tackle Bryant McKinnie had his way with the defensive end in the first matchup, so its time for the AFC November Defensive Player of the Month to return the favor.
The No. 1 corner had some issues last week against Josh Gordon and continues to battle a hip injury. This week he'll have to deal with a Dolphins offense that has a couple big-play threats in Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline.
Aside from the Browns and the aging Willis McGahee teams have been running wild on the Patriots over the last couple months. Thomas had a 100-yard effort last week and will be looking to churn out some yards to keep Miami balanced.
The veteran Pro Bowler is part of the bookend pass rushers in Miami that have been giving opponents fits. Wake combines with Olivier Vernon to give the Patriots line plenty to worry about from both sides.
Miami's big-money receiver has given the Patriots problems in the past with Pittsburgh, and is building a rapport with Ryan Tannehill. New England's secondary is banged up and keeping Wallace bottled up may be easier said than done.
The Dolphins tight end/H-back is a versatile weapon who can challenge a defense in a variety of matchups. He led Miami with five catches in the first meeting and also leads the team with six touchdown catches for the season.
It's always about the quarterback. New England has allowed multiple touchdown passes in five of its last six games and Tannehill has been heating up with a passer rating of 84 or higher in six straight games.
