DOLPHINS GAMEDAY

KEYS TO THE GAME Make Patriots’ Mac Jones uncomfortable:

Jones, the Patriots’ 2021 first-round pick, doesn’t have much mobility, so the Dolphins defense should utilize the blitzes and pressures they have used all season to produce their 46 sacks against him. Miami needs to get Jones off his spots and mess up his timing on routes.

Protect Tua Tagovailoa and keep his pocket secure:

Like most quarterbacks, Tagovailoa is at his best when he has time to scan the field and execute the offense without a defender in his face. That hasn’t happened much this season, but he’s still one of the least sacked quarterbacks in the NFL (19s) heading into the season finale.

Rush for more than 100 yards:

The Dolphins’ rushing attack has been terrible most of this season, but it has shown signs of improvement with Duke Johnson (4.6 yards per attempt) as the lead back. Last Sunday Johnson gained 49 rushing yards on seven carries against the Titans before Miami had to abandon the ground game.

Win field position battle:

The Patriots typically win the special teams aspect of a game, and subsequently win the field position battle against most opponents. That’s why the Dolphins must be effective in kickoff and punt coverage on Sunday.

Pass catchers not named Jaylen Waddle must step up:

The Patriots traditionally take away the opposition’s favorite playmaker from a strategic approach, which means the Dolphins must rely on players outside of Waddle, who is three receptions away from setting an NFL rookie record, and 12 yards from becoming the 11th 1,000-yard receiver in franchise history. DeVante Parker, Mike Gesicki, Isaiah Ford, Mack Hollins and Durham Smythe are all going to have to find ways to get open, and bring down contested catches to deliver plays against New England, which features one of the NFL’s stingiest passing defenses in the league (192.4 passing yards per game).

Dave Hyde, sports columnist (season record: 11-5): Patriots 17, Dolphins 16

New England will play to win, because the Patriots can theoretically win the AFC East if Buffalo loses to the New York Jets. No, that probably won’t happen. But Bill Belichick can’t assume that — does he ever assume anything? The Dolphins, too, will play hard in a game without consequence because Brian Flores’ teams always play hard. This score, by the way, is what it would have been in Foxboro in the season opener if the Patriots had kicked a field goal from the 9-yard line at the end rather than fumbling to Xavien Howard.

Omar Kelly, Dolphins columnist (season record: 11-5): Patriots 24, Dolphins 20

There is nothing for the Dolphins to play for but pride, and that’s a dangerous place to be in during a season finale against a team trying to get playoff ready like the Patriots. New England can’t afford to get swept by the Dolphins, so you can expect a hungry team fighting for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

David Furones, Dolphins writer (season record: 115): Patriots 23, Dolphins 17

The Dolphins haven’t swept the Patriots since 2000, and it won’t happen this year. One would think the best chance for it to happen would be a season like this where Miami took road game in New England first and then just has to win at home. But after the bummer of getting eliminated last Sunday, rendering this finale meaningless from a playoff perspective, I find it hard for the Dolphins to win this one. On the flip side, the Patriots, who have already clinched a playoff berth, have much on the line as they can finish as low as No. 7 in the AFC and as high as No. 1. However, getting the top spot involves too many major upsets to seem realistic.

Kathy Laughlin, sports editor (season record: 106): Patriots 21, Dolphins 20

The Dolphins are seeking their third straight win over the Patriots, but New England has too much on the line to fall short like they did in a Week 1 loss. The Patriots could earn the No. 1 seed in the AFC. A loss to the Dolphins would force the Patriots to open the postseason on the road as the 5th-7th seed. I just don’t see that happening.

Keven Lerner, assistant sports editor (season record: 10-6): Patriots 24, Dolphins 20

While legendary Patriots coach Bill Belichick has a losing record on the road against the Dolphins (9-12), he undoubtedly will come up with a game plan to bolster his team’s playoff position. The Patriots have allowed the fewest points in the

NFL and should stymie Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins have missed the playoffs in 18 of the last 20 years. They haven’t won a postseason game in over 21 years, dating back to a 23-17 overtime win over the Colts on Dec. 30, 2000.

Steve Svekis, assistant sports editor (season record: 10-6): Dolphins 23, Patriots 14

The Dolphins’ defense is set to befuddle and pound Patriots rookie quarterback Mac Jones, who has a substandard 84.5 passer rating in road games. If

Tua Tagovailoa can clean up his spate of sloppiness from the past three weeks, the Dolphins should have consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 2003.