Here are five players to watch for the New England Patriots in their Week 17 matchup with the Miami Dolphins Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium.
It’s been quite a few seasons since the New England Patriots actually had something to play for in the last two games of the season, especially against AFC East opponents.
After clinching the AFC East with a win over the Buffalo Bills, the Patriots have a chance to secure the No. 2 seed in the AFC with a victory over the Miami Dolphins or a Kansas City Chiefs lost to the Los Angeles Chargers.
With playoff positioning on the line, there are a few things to watch for in this game.
First, how will Tom Brady look in possibly his final regular season game at Gillette Stadium in a Patriots’ uniform. How will the offense look going into the postseason? Will the running game continue the momentum gained against the Bills in Week 16?
On the defensive side, will the Patriots continue to show their dominance?
The Dolphins have been playing better offensively, so the defense will have to come to play and not let Miami’s offense behind Ryan Fitzpatrick dictate ball movement.
In all, Stephon Gilmore and crew have to set the tone early and allow Tom Brady and the offense to do their thing in squishing the fish early in the game.
How to watch Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Kickoff: Sunday, December 29, 2019 1:00 p.m. ET
TV: CBS (Check local listings)
Streaming: fuboTV
The AFC East champions see this as a playoff game, and they need to. Let the Miami Dolphins stick around long enough, and it could come down to Tom Brady sealing the game late in the fourth. Here are 5 key players to watch for the New England Patriots in this Week 17 season finale.
Elandon Roberts, LB-FB
The New England Patriots have missed fullback James Develin more than ever in the run game this season.
However, linebacker Elandon Roberts has turned into a typical two-way player under Bill Belichick, providing some punch at the fullback position.
That transition was fully evident in the team’s AFC East clinching victory over the Buffalo Bills in Week 16. Not only did Roberts add some attitude to the running game, he opened some hole for both Sony Michel and Rex Burkhead to explode through.
More from Chowder and Champions
- 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
- 10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster Deadline
- MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
- 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
- Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win
In all, Elandon Roberts is certainly not on the level as James Develin, but he is fulfilling a role the team needs heading into the playoffs by providing some consistency at the fullback position. What better defensive player to convert to the position other than a middle linebacker.
"“We needed a fullback. We needed to be able to keep the steam going,” Patriots running backs coach Ivan Fears said regarding Roberts, via Masslive.com. “He was very willing to do it. As you guys all know, Elandon is great at going downhill and knocking the pass out of somebody. So, we’re kind of excited to have him do it.”"
The reason to watch Elandon Roberts in this matchup against the Miami Dolphins is to see if the team can continue the momentum in the running game they established against the Bills.
With Sony Michel questionable for the game, the New England Patriots may be looking for more production out of Burkhead, Brandon Bolden and perhaps third-round pick Damian Harris. Those running backs are able to break tackles a bit better than Michel so Roberts’ ability to create some holes and get out in front may be one of the keys for the offense to get going early and gain control in this game.
Prediction: Elandon Roberts will provide a couple key blocks in the running game and will be active on defensive with at least five tackles.
Mohamed Sanu, WR
It seems like every week Mohamed Sanu is a player to watch for the New England Patriots. It also seems like following every game there are a few head scratching plays involving the veteran wide receiver.
Since his 10-catch performance back in Week 9 against the Baltimore Ravens, Sanu hasn’t done much at all in the offense. He certainly hasn’t been that chain moving stud the team thought they were acquiring prior to the NFL Trade Deadline back in October.
Some of that is due to injury, but a lot of it has to do with his timing with Tom Brady and just not being ready in certain situations.
Has there been enough on the field when it comes to Mohamed Sanu to call him a bust?
Well, if there is any redemption, it will start this week against the Miami Dolphins and extend into the playoffs.
As far as Sanu is concerned, the best is yet to come.
"“I haven’t really scratched the surface yet of what I know I can do,” Sanu said, via ESPN. “Getting adjusted to things people have known for years, or months, you have to catch up. It’s a lot of little details of things. I’ve been getting right up to speed. It’s just little things you can’t teach; they just have to be done. It’s the difference between knowing and doing.”"
In all, 23 catches for 172 yards and just one touchdown isn’t cutting it. But, if he produces just half that against the Miami Dolphins in the regular-season finale, there will be hope and something to be excited about going into the playoffs.
Prediction: Mohamed Sanu has his best game of the season, catching close to 10 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown.
Chase Winovich, Edge
It’s been a pretty successful rookie season for New England Patriots defensive end Chase Winovich.
With 5.5 sacks coming into this Week 17 matchup against the Miami Dolphins, Winovich has met or even exceeded expectations as a third-round pick. Although the Patriots are treating this game like a playoff game, expect to see Winovich get more snaps, especially with Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback.
Of course, with increased playing time, Chase Winovich will get more of a chance to show off the high motor that made him such a popular player with the Michigan Wolverines.
In all, the entire defensive line will be successful against a Dolphins team with really nothing to play for. They still have some playmakers in DeVante Parker, Albert Wilson and tight end Mike Gesicki, but without a sustained running game, Bill Belichick wil be aggressive against Fitzpatrick.
That’s exactly where Winovich will shine, especially if and when Fitzpatrick decided to pull the ball down and attempt to scramble.
Prediction: Chase Winovich records two sacks in the season finale.
Brandon Bolden, RB
Brandon Bolden is one of those players who doesn’t do one thing great but do a bunch of the little things good that always seems to be an impact for the team.
Just like last season against the New England Patriots, watch for Bolden to stick it to his former team in a few ways.
With Sony Michel questionable, Bolden will get an opportunity to run the rock a few times. He will also be used to catch the ball out of the backfield. In either way, watch for Bolden to gain some yardage against a Miami Dolphins defense that may be already looking forward to the offseason.
Along with some plays on offense, Brandon Bolden will also have a long kickoff return and may come close to blocking a punt in this game.
Again, he will not be a focal point for the Dolphins but will do enough to impact the outcome of the game. A game that may be decided before the first half is over.
Prediction: Brandon Bolden will score a touchdown on offense and deliver a key play on special teams against his former team.
Tom Brady, QB
Well, there is no New England Patriots fan who wants to acknowledge that this could be Tom Brady’s final regular season game at Gillette Stadium.
At the very least, it could be his last regular season home game in a Patriots’ uniform.
Whichever way the offseason plays out, this Week 17 game against the Miami Dolphins could play out to be a very sentimental moment in Patriots history. That’s why as a fan, really take in every moment of Tom Brady.
Take in every pass he throws, his movement in the pocket, every quarterback sneak, every touchdown thrown. The reality is, time is not on Brady’s side, nor is it on any players side. What Tom Brady has done in his long career is put up a battle against the inevitable.
Deep down everyone knows it, including the top quarterback in NFL history. His time is coming to an end and he has a few chances left to be elite. Against the Miami Dolphins, he’ll be elite.
Prediction: Tom Brady throws for over 300 yards and three touchdowns to help the New England Patriots secure the No. 2 seed in the AFC.