New England Patriots Gameday: Team on a mission down in Miami

The New England Patriots (9-3) travel down to South Beach to take on the Miami Dolphins (6-6) on Sunday in an AFC East showdown.

What better way for the New England Patriots to clinch another AFC East title than down in Miami.

Coming into the game as eight-point favorites, the Patriots will have to overcome their struggles down in South Beach as the Dolphins always seem to give them problems no matter where the two teams stand.

Currently, the Dolphins are fighting for their playoff lives and will smell blood against a Patriots team that has had their struggles on the road this season.  Needless to say, the emphasis all week for Tom Brady and the New England Patriots were preparing to play good football in a place where they have had nightmares in seasons past.

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While Brady admits the weather has played a role in the team’s play, it has also been mental.

"“It’s been a challenging environment,” Brady said, as transcribed by WEEI.  “I think the climate plays some role and they always seem to play well when they play us down there.  We are not going to get beat by the weather, we’re going to get beat by the Dolphins.  That is what we realize.“We have to get our mind right.  We have to have a great week of preparation and go down there and try and play a great game against a team that has really hung in there.”"

The Dolphins are coming into the game limping.  They will be without their best cornerback Xavien Howard and wide receiver Danny Amendola is questionable with a knee injury.  Still, Miami always finds a way to make life difficult for the Patriots down in South Beach.

How to watch New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins

Location: Hard Rock Stadium; Miami Gardens, FL

Kickoff: Sunday, December 9, 2018 1:00 p.m. ET

TV: CBS (Check local listings)

Streaming:  fuboTV

Week 14 Prediction:

The Miami Dolphins are weak against the run, that’s why the New England Patriots have to come out running the ball with both Sony Michel and Rex Burkhead.  If they establish the run, that will set up the passing game in which Tom Brady can get both Rob Gronkowski and Josh Gordon involved.

A balanced offensive effort is what will get the job done for the Patriots.  And defensively, they will need to replicate their Week 13 performance against the Minnesota Vikings on the road.  Even if Brady and the offense has a slow start, the defense has to prevent Ryan Tannenhill and the Dolphins’ offense from getting off to a fast start.

If the Patriots fall behind early, it could be another nightmare game for the AFC East leaders.  I don’t see that happening.  The New England Patriots clinch the division down in Miami by a score of 38-14.