South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
After rout, Flores meets former team
When the Dolphins run
Kalen Ballage had five carries for minus-1 yard against the Ravens in his first game as the starting running back. Kenyan Drake had only four carries for 12 yards off the bench. The Dolphins rushing attack, which yielded only 21 yards against the Ravens, will face a Patriots defense that held Pittsburgh to just 32 yards. Edge: Patriots
When the Patriots run
South Florida natives Sony Michel and James White tore the Dolphins defense apart last season in New England, but were unable to get their footing against them in Miami. Michel had 25 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown against the Dolphins in Week 4 last year, but was limited to 20 carries for 57 yards in Week 12. White, who had 16 touches for 102 yards with two touchdowns in New England, but had just six touches for 28 yards in Miami. The task, however, will be on Miami’s defense to slow them down on Sunday after giving up 265 rushing yards to the Ravens in the opener. Edge: Patriots
When the Dolphins pass
Ryan Fitzpatrick completed just 14-of-29 passes for 185 yards, with a touchdown and an interception, but was unable to help the Dolphins move the ball consistently as Miami scored just 10 points. Miami started three new offensive linemen and one player playing in a new position last week, and it showed. Fitzpatrick will need to get the ball out quicker to his running backs and receivers if Miami has a chance to pull off the upset against a New England team that limited Pittsburgh to just three points last week. Edge: Patriots
When the Patriots pass
Tom Brady threw for 341 yards and three touchdowns and had no interceptions for a 124.9 passer rating last week against Pittsburgh. He’ll face a Dolphins defense that gave up 59 points last week, and an old friend in Brian Flores, who was New England’s defensive play-caller last season. The Dolphins allowed a franchise-worst 643 yards and tied a team record by allowing six touchdown passes against the Ravens. Edge: Patriots
Special teams
Dolphins punter Matt Haack is second in the NFL, averaging 53 yards per punt, and kicker Jason Sanders made a 54-yard field goal in the opener. Returner Jakeem Grant, however, muffed a punt that aided to Baltimore’s blowout win. Grant still remains Miami’s X-factor on special teams, with the ability to break free for a touchdown on any given return. Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski made four field goals last week, and New England returned two kicks for 35 yards and two punts for 35 yards. Edge: Patriots
Intangibles
Flores will have his second attempt at his first NFL win as a head coach in Sunday’s game against his former team and his former boss in Bill Belichick. … The Patriots have lost five of their past six games at Hard Rock Stadium. …. The Dolphins are looking for their first win since the Miami Miracle against the Patriots in Week 12 of last season. Miami has lost four games in a row since. … New England had no turnovers last week against Pittsburgh. Edge: Patriots