On Sunday night, the 6-7 New England Patriots travel to Hard Rock Stadium to take on the 8-5 Miami Dolphins.
Date: Sunday, December 20, 2020
Game Time: 13:00 PM EST
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium
Network: CBS
All-time record: Dolphins lead series 56-54 (including playoffs)
How The Patriots Win
Since the Patriots beat the Dolphins in the season opener back in September, Flores has got Miami playing some good football, especially on defense. So let’s look at how they can beat them.
BALL SECURITY PLEASE!- I just want no pick-sixes or fumbles on Sunday. They go one, sometimes two (if they’re lucky) games without giving up turnovers, then fall back and cost themselves, it just kills any chance of victory in the game, especially when the offense can’t pull out comeback wins like the past.
I personally don’t think Miami’s offense has been great, however, I do think the game is more intriguing now Tua is the starting QB. He’s been really safe with the ball so far in his early career- having thrown only one interception. After making Justin Herbert uncomfortable in the scorching the Patriots gave the Chargers a couple of weeks ago, if the defense can do the same thing to Tua on Sunday, it’ll give an ailing Patriots offense a chance.
Run the ball, get it going, and don’t stop. I’ve given up hope that we’ll see a passing performance like the Seahawks/Texans game’s earlier this season, but, the most consistent offensive production has come on the ground. I don’t care if Harris does all the work and Newton pounds it in from the one, just get the points in the red zone.
Special Teams has bailed this team out so many times this season, I think they’ll play a part on Sunday again, further consistency needed.
TSM’s 5 Keys To Victory-
-0 Turnovers
-Pressure Tagovailoa
-Run, Run, Run
-Make red zone chances count
-Special Teams consistency
Player Spotlight – Nick Folk
Now in his thirteenth NFL season, Nick Folk is enjoying life with the Patriots. After starting his career with Dallas, the team who selected him 178th overall in the 2007 Draft, Folk then spent seven seasons with the Jets, a year with the Bucs, and now, into his second season with the Pats.
Originally being in a competition for the starting job, Folk won the role out of training camp, and after an initial shaky start, he’s been one of the most consistent players on the roster since September. More worryingly, the most consistent players on the team have been the Punter and Kicker.
I’ll repeat what I said before, he isn’t the future, but I’m happy for him to stay until the team finds a young guy who they think can become the franchise kicker for this team. Now, let’s take another look at his game-winner against Arizona!
Familiar Faces
Former Patriots
Coaching Staff
GM Chris Grier – (Coaching Staff 1994-1999)
HC Brian Flores – (Coaching Staff 2005-2018)
DC Josh Boyer – (Coaching Staff 2006-2018)
TE Coach George – Godsey (Coaching Staff 2011-2013)
DL Coach Marion Hobby – (DL 1990-1992)
Quality Control Mike Judge – (Coaching Staff 2005-2006)
Players
C Ted Karras – (2016-2019)
LB Elandon Roberts – (2016-2019)
S Eric Rowe – (2016-2018)
LB Kyle Van Noy – (2016-2019)
WR Isaiah Ford (2020) PS*
Former Dolphins
Players
DL Akeem Spence (2017)
Broken Records
Here’s some records that could fall tomorrow evening.
QB Cam Newton
-Cam Newton has scored 11 rushing touchdowns in 2020. With one more rushing touchdown, he will tie former Patriots QB Steve Grogan for the Patriots team record for most rushing TDs in a season by a QB.
RB James White
-Needs two touchdown receptions to tie Larry Garron (26) as the most all-time in Patriots history for touchdown receptions by a running back.
S Devin McCourty
-With his next interception, Devin McCourty (28) will tie Ron Hall, Roland James, and Fred Marion for third all-time in Patriots history with 29 career
interceptions.
Score Prediction: Patriots 20-24 Dolphins
As much as I want to put the Patriots to win, I think Miami is the better team and will edge out a close one on Sunday, ending the Patriots post season hopes.
[…] Read More […]