PATRIOTS (13-2) VS. DOLPHINS (10-5)
SUNDAY, 1 P.M. ET, HARD ROCK STADIUM, MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. uTV: CBS, DIRECTV 707
Announcers: Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Evan Washburn
Third-year CB had three takeaways and QB threw three touchdown passes as New England thrashed the New York Jets 41-3. This is the sixth time the Patriots have won 13 games in a season, three behind the San Francisco 49ers’ NFL record. Butler had two interceptions and a fumble recovery to become the first Patriot in seven seasons to record three takeaways in a game. CB
also picked off a pass as New England limited Jets quarterbacks to eight completions and a 13.9 passer rating. Brady has 23 victories vs. the Jets, three behind the NFL-record number of wins he has against the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots’ victory was aided by RB
who scored two touchdowns. He has a league-leading 17 this season, third most in team history. TE made his first NFL reception on an 18-yard touchdown toss from Brady.
About the Dolphins: K Andrew kicked his second game-winning field goal in three weeks as Miami beat the Buffalo Bills 34-31 in overtime for its ninth victory in 10 games. This also is the first time in team history the Dolphins have won two overtime games in the same season. Franks hit a careerlong 55-yarder near the end of regulation to tie the score, then added a 27-yarder in OT to give the Dolphins 10 victories for the first time since 2008. RB had his third 200yard rushing game and second this season against the Bills, gaining 206 yards on 32 carries. He is the fourth NFL player to rush for 200 yards three times in a season. Backup QB Matt Moore threw for 233 yards and two scores and engineered his second game-winning drive of 2016.
Wake had another sack vs. Buffalo, giving him 111⁄ for the season. He also has 811⁄ for his career, tying him with Pittsburgh Steelers veteran James Harrison for second place among undrafted players. Solder has been
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
healthy and dependable most of the season.
The second-year running back from Boise State had one more yard vs. Buffalo’s 28th-ranked run defense than he had in the previous four games combined. He’ll have a tougher time against a Patriots defense that ranks third vs. the run. Ajayi had five carries for 14 yards and four catches for 31 yards in Week 2 vs. New England when he was a backup.
Points the Patriots are yielding per game, best in the NFL.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Standing Pat on O-line: New England has started the same five linemen for 10 consecutive games and used nine different line combinations compared with 39 last season. Solder, LG C RG and RT have done a good job protecting Brady and opening holes for running backs.
2. Moore or less: The veteran backup has helped the Dolphins’ secure a playoff berth in the absence of injured guiding them to a fourth-quarter and an overtime victory in two of the last three weeks. Moore basically is a game manager but can make plays and keep the mistakes to a minimum, as evidenced by his six touchdown passes and two interceptions.
3. Can’t pick on him: Good luck if you’re looking for gifts from Brady. He has thrown two interceptions in 399 attempts this season and has a 25-2 touchdown-interception ratio.
Scott Pitoniak