The Beginning of the End: Regular Season Finale Scouting Report: Miami Dolphins

The time has come to retire to our favorite spot on the couch for the last time until the post season is upon us. Now everyone should start dusting off their lucky jerseys, hats, and other superstitious aids for the team. Remember, they need us. But for now, we need to finish out the season. Brady and Co. have been talking about how unhappy they were no finishing out the season strong. This is their chance to make another statement win against the clearly inferior AFC before their guaranteed bye to rest and scout the rest of the league from the couch. The Patriots also could end up playing the Dolphins again in the post season so this will be a good chance to see what they can and can’t get away with against the Matt Moore led team.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Miami Dolphins, aka, “The Only Other Playoff Team in the AFC East since 2002.”

Week 17 at Miami Dolphins 

Sunday January 1st

1pm EST, CBS

Sunny, High 70’s

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Opponent/Patriots Stats:

Dolphins: 10-5

Common Opponents:

• Buffalo Bills (Dolphins won both, Pats split the series)
• New York Jets (Both teams won all matchup)
• Arizona Cardinals (Both teams won)
• Cleveland Browns (Both teams won)
• Seattle Seahawks (Both teams lost)
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Both teams won)
• Cincinnati Bengals (Pats won, Dolphins lost)
• Los Angeles Rams (Both teams won)
• San Fransisco 49ers (Both teams won)
• Baltimore Ravens (Pats won, Dolphins lost)

History: The Patriots are 10-3 versus the Dolphins since 2010, an obvious stat to find considering New England’s dominance over the division. The Dolphins, however are probably the least likely to curl up and die. They have always been competitive in the division against TB12/BB even when they straight up suck. Adam Gase has the Miami team humming a different tune, one they haven’t heard since Matt Cassel was starting for the Pats and Chad Pennington was getting ready to play the Baltimore Ravens in the wild card round. 2012 was the Pats last win at Sun Life Stadium, another December game which is the best time to play the Miami team.

Notable Players 

Matt Moore QB: (3 games) 31/53, 58.5% completion, 516 yds, 6 TDs, 2 INTs

Jay Ajayi RB: 244 carries, 1213 yds (5 yd avg), 24 catches, 131 yds, 8 TDs, 4 fumbles

Jarvis Landry WR: 85 catches, 1060 yds, 71 long, 7.1 YAC avg, 3 TDs, 1 fumble

Injury Alerts

Patriots:

Danny Amendola has been on this list since the Rams game where he came up lame after a punt. This is a great chance to involve Michael Floyd more with Amendola still recovering. The plan for the team is to have him ready for the playoffs so it would appear the team will continue to give snaps to Floyd and the rookie Malcolm Mitchell while Amendola is on the mend.

Matt Slater has been managed by the team for some time now. He played against the Broncos two weeks ago but was inactive against the Jets. The special teams players have stepped up in weeks past so his presence isn’t necessarily a huge loss against the Dolphins. Save him for the playoffs.

Dont’a Hightower has had to been managed on injury situations for most of his career. The difference now, is that the team is really well equipped to let Hightower take the time to recover that he needs. Kyle Van Noy and Elandon Roberts filled in admirably for the injured LB from Alabama. Hightower would be an important piece in the game plan to stop Jay Ajayi, the biggest threat on the Miami offense. His status will probably be uncertain until close to gameday. The injury report probably won’t tell us much on him.

Dolphins:

Ryan Tannehill, the Dolphins starting QB for much of the season, suffered a knee injury that was thought to be season ending in the game against the Cardinals. However, the team is holding out hope he will return for the playoffs. There is no reason to press Tannehill back for a game that means nothing to the team other than pride.

Byron Maxwell is dealing with an ankle injury and was inactive last week in the epic OT game against the Bills. Maxwell is a CB with great size who has pretty good game. He would be a huge asset to the Dolphins in keeping track of a sizable amount of New England receiving threats. Look for him on the injury reports this week.

Kiko Alonso, the other trade item Miami got from their trade with Philadelphia, was dealing with a hamstring injury the last week but was active against the Bills. In a game that doesn’t matter, they might sit him, to monitor his injury. His status will be more clear in the coming days

Key Matchups:

Patriots:

-vs. WR1: 21st—-Matchup: Malcolm Butler vs. Jarvis Landry

-vs. WR2: 19th—-Matchup: Logan Ryan vs. DeVante Parker

-vs. WR3: 18th—-Matchup: Justin Coleman vs. Kenny Stills

vs. RB: 22nd—-Matchup: Kyle Van Noy vs. Jay Ajayi

Dolphins:

-vs. WR1: 3rd —–Matchup: Julian Edelman vs. Byron Maxwell

-vs. WR2: 4th—–Matchup: Chris Hogan vs. Tony Lippett

-vs. other WR: 31st—–Matchup: Malcolm Mitchell vs. Xavien Howard

-vs. RB: 19th—–Matchup: James White vs. Kiko Alonso

What’s at stake?

This one is simple. The Patriots will earn Home Field Advantage with a win/tie against the Dolphins. They could also earn that if the Raiders lose/tie. They already have a first round bye so a win here assures they don’t have to travel to the Coliseum in Oakland. That would be a tough place to play considering this is the Raiders’ first ticket to the dance since 2002. I think they’d be glad to play that game home

Early thoughts:

-Easy to forget, but this is Brady’s first game versus Miami this year, as Jimmy G played the Dolphins in the first matchup in Week 2.

-Last matchup, Butler followed Jarvis Landry around, who started in the slot. Expect to see Butler competitively blanket Landry this week. He’s been playing like his life depends on it lately

-Matt Slater pointed out that it has been 4 years since NE has won in Miami

-Adam Gase has the Dolphins and Jay Ajayi in particular playing well. Moore is doing a serviceable job as the backup to the injured Ryan Tannehill who may or may not be back in time for the playoffs. The team has talent and a young, creative coaching staff. That could spell trouble for the New England defense if they don’t bring their A game.

-An easy place to key in on this week could be Ajayi’s ball security with 4 fumbles on the year. The Pats have been dominating the turnover battle lately, this could help that number rise even higher.

-Josh McDaniels pointed out on Tuesday morning that the Dolphins defense is often putting opposing offenses in 3rd and 10s. That is always a tricky spot to be in considering their great pass rushers can pin their ears back and just look to hit Tom.

 

*On a personal note, this has been my 16th Scouting Report for PatsPropaganda and I couldn’t have enjoyed this trip more. Having wonderful readers and followers like you guys make it worth it. Please tweet me any questions you have I love connecting with you guys and having conversations about this team. I also have to mention the amazing team here at PatsProp led by our fearless leader Mike is second to none. Can’t wait to ride this season out and enjoy every second of it.

Playoffs here we come. GO PATS!