7 New England Patriots players looking to shine vs Dolphins in Miami

The New England Patriots enter the final game of the season with a shot to win the AFC East and possibly secure a No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs.  Bill Belichick, Mac Jones and the boys will need some help to make that happen, but it all will mean nothing if they don’t beat the Miami Dolphins.

With the Dolphins coming off a loss to the Tennessee Titans, the Patriots won’t be fighting for their playoff lives, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be a dog fight down in South Beach and Belichick knows his team will have to be ready for the unexpected when it comes to Miami.

"“Offensively: the running game, passing game, receivers, tight ends, backs, quarterback.  They’re pretty healthy.  The offensive line has been consistent,” Belichick said during his press conference on Wednesday.  “Defensively, big front, mix in multiple coverages, change the looks around there, make it hard on the offense, make it hard on the quarterback and the offensive line, in terms of identifying what they do.  Good punt-rush team.  You always have to be ready for some type of deceptive play.  They had a really impressive second half of the season.  It’s a good challenge for us this week.”"

While the Patriots always seem to have a tough time playing December games in Miami, this is a good challenge for the team heading in the playoff on both sides of the ball.  Playing well and getting some players right will be key in this intriguing regular season finale.

Here are 7 players looking to shine down in Miami as the Patriots prepare for the playoffs.

No. 7 New England Patriots wide receiver Nelson Agholor looking to get back in the mix

The New England Patriots veteran wide receiver has missed the last two games due to a concussion.

Cleared to play in this Week 18 game against the Dolphins, Agholor must show he can stretch the field and provide some sort of outlet on the outside.

While Jakobi Meyers and Kendrick Bourne has been the primary wide receiver outlets for Mac Jones, Agholor is really the player he looks for when attempting to push the ball down the field.  With just 36 catches for 450 yards, Agholor is well under the numbers he put up a year ago with the Las Vegas Raiders, but he could still make an impact on offense going into the playoffs.

Perhaps the warm weather of Miami will heat things up when it comes to the Mac Jones to Nelson Agholor connection.