Five things to watch
FOXBORO — With a six-game winning streak, the AFC co-leading Patriots have the conference where they want it as we enter the post-Thanksgiving stretch run.
Five of their final six games are against division foes, all of whom appear checked out. Surely, it’s easy for the focus to stray toward the Patriots-Steelers showdown in Week 15, but it’ll all be for naught if the Patriots don’t handle business in the division.
The quest for the ninth straight AFC East crown starts in earnest today vs. Miami. Here are five things to watch:
The Legend vs. The Kid
If Tom Brady isn't the leader in the MVP race, the voters are trying too hard to look elsewhere, though Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz deserves all the praise that he's gotten. Brady leads the NFL in passing yards (3,146), passer rating (110.9) and interceptions (two), and he is second to Wentz in touchdowns (25 to 22) and fourth in completion percentage (68.7), where Wentz ranks 30th. Those stats should improve for Brady, who finishes the season twice against the Dolphins (ranked 25th in points allowed and 17th in pass defense), and Bills (23rd in points, 24th in pass defense) and once against the Steelers (second in points and third in pass defense) and Jets (16th in points and pass defense).
It’s cover two
The Dolphins' top two receivers don't have the same cache as Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas of the Broncos or Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree of the Raiders, but Jarvis Landry and Kenny Stills are tough assignments. It's important for Stephon Gilmore and Malcolm Butler to keep their momentum going and ensure Landry (67 receptions, 567 yards, six touchdowns) and Stills (40-588-5) don't take over. Gilmore has been terrific in his last three games against Mike Evans, Thomas and Crabtree. Butler struggled two weeks ago against Sanders but was strong against Cooper. It's important for the Patriots corners to be at their best in the coming months.
Running start
Running backs Dion Lewis, James White and Rex Burkhead have been instrumental to the Patriots' offensive success over the past month, and their production has helped keep Brady largely intact as well. Burkhead has 98 rushing yards and 15 receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown over the last four games since returning from a rib injury. Over the same stretch, Lewis has 235 rushing yards, seven catches for 44 yards and two offensive touchdowns (plus one on a kick return), and White has 41 rushing yards and 13 catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Look for the Pats to keep feeding the backfield.
Looking for an edge
Dolphins quarterbacks Jay Cutler (out with a concussion today) and Matt Moore have been sacked just a combined 18 times this season, which means the Dolphins offensive line ranks ninth in the league in protecting the quarterback. However, the Patriots' edge rushers are coming off one of their most productive games of the season. Trey Flowers, Kyle Van Noy and Deatrich Wise combined for one sack, three quarterback hits, five pressures and a batted pass against Oakland, and it looks as if Van Noy will have more of a role up front than in the second level. If that is indeed the case, he'll provide a lot more consistency than Cassius Marsh, who was cut Tuesday, and it will help spell the rookie Wise.
Clock the opponent
This is a classic “alarm clock” game. If the Patriots wake up and show up to work on time, they'll dismantle the reeling Dolphins, who have lost four consecutive games by an average score of 35.5-16.3. Their six losses have been by an average of 18.5 points, and their four wins have been by an average of 3.5 points. So the Dolphins have been mildly competent in close games, but bad teams that don't care are susceptible to the blowouts, and Miami seems to fit that description. The Patriots have blown out three of their last four opponents, and they need to play well early to ensure another easy victory. Remember, with the Pats and Dolphins meeting twice in 16 days, the Dolphins know that sweeping this stretch would be the only way to salvage their season. An early deficit would likely cripple the visitors.