It’s rivalry week for the New England Patriots, as they’ll take on the Dolphins in Miami Sunday afternoon. This will be a tough game for the Patriots, as they’ve struggled in Miami in recent years.
They’ve lost five consecutive games at Hard Rock Stadium and have won only two games in the last 10 years there. This week will be their best chance to snap the losing streak, as the Dolphins don’t look like the same team after their blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
While both AFC East teams will try to avenge their Week 1 loss and get their first win, the Patriots should come out of Miami with a win.
Patriots Will Ride Defense to Win vs. Dolphins in Week 2
If you’re a fan of high-scoring games that feature big plays, this isn’t the game for you. I predict the Patriots will finally get a win in Miami and beat the Dolphins, in what should be a low-scoring affair. This will be a close, hard-fought game given the rivalry and how well both teams know one another; however, I give the Patriots the edge because I believe they’ll be able to ride their defense to a win.
This week, the Patriots should rely on the run to ease the pressure on quarterback Drake Maye and use that to build the pass. Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson was their only effective runner last week, recording only five carries for 27 yards, and I assume the Patriots will boost his carries this week.
While I believe the offense will have a better outing and will emphasize running the football against the Dolphins, who gave up the sixth-most rushing yards last week (156), the defense is the Patriots' identity, and they’ll rely on it against the Dolphins.
In their last 10 games against one another, both teams scored 20 or more points only twice, and only four of them have been decided by one score or more. Both teams were unable to score many points in their first game, and given the poor performance of the Dolphins’ offense, I don’t think that’ll change in Week 2.
The Dolphins' offensive line looked horrendous last week, allowing seven pressures and three sacks on only 37 passing plays per Pro Football Focus. With Harold Landry III off the injury report and the Dolphins without starting right tackle Austin Jackson, the Patriots should be able to create havoc against their line.
In their loss to the Raiders, the Patriots' defensive line feasted against their offensive line, recording four sacks and 14 pressures. Facing another sub-par offensive line, I’m convinced the defensive line will have another monstrous day and make Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa’s life miserable.
While Tagovailoa has a perfect 7-0 record against the Patriots and has played his best games against them since being drafted in 2020, this season is different. Tagovailoa looked like the worst version of himself last Sunday, completing 14 of 23 passes for 114 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
Even with the numerous weapons he has at his disposal, the Dolphins weren’t able to get into the double-digits. It's only been one game, and it’s not all Tagovailoa's fault, but it’s evident that Miami has problems, as they had a players-only meeting on Tuesday, per ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques.
This is a clear sign that things aren’t going well and that players are unhappy, whether it’s with coaches or themselves. With this looming over their head, I am convinced the Patriots will win this game despite Christian Gonzalez and Keion White not playing, beating the Dolphins in a game where neither offense will dazzle.