It’s time to answer the big question. Can the undefeated Miami Dolphins knock off the struggling Patriots in New England?
The simple answer here is yes. This Miami Dolphins squad is well equipped to beat the Pats, even on the road. This does not mean it will be any easy task. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have been as close to invincible at home as any team in sports has ever been. However, the Dolphins don’t only look strong and the Patriots weak, but Miami is built to beat this team.
We already saw last season how the Miami defense was built to take on Brady and the Pats’ offense. Xavien Howard is a stud corner and a defensive pass rush led by Cameron Wake has always given them problems.
Combine that with the addition of playmakers like Robert Quinn and Minkah Fitzpatrick to go along with Reshad Jones and Kiko Alonso and this may be the perfect storm at the perfect time.
On offense, the Dolphins are one of the fastest teams in the league. The Patriots defense, not so much. The speed disparity should be evident when you watch this game and their defense does not match up well with Miami’s speed at all.
Guys like Kenyan Drake, Jakeem Grant, Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson should cause huge issues for a Pats’ D that isn’t quick and their linebackers are particularly vulnerable to speed. The athleticism of rookie tight end Mike Gesicki could be an issue too.
Speaking of Gesicki, the key to this win may actually be three rookies all having their coming out party. Gesicki, Fitzpatrick and Jerome Baker could all be catalysts and key cogs toward victory. Gesicki is a matchup nightmare, particularly for this group of linebackers. With A.J. Derby out for this game he will likely see a significantly increased role too, whether the team wanted to or not and that could turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
On defense, Fitz and Baker will likely be tasked heavily in covering Rob Gronkowski and James White. And if we’re being honest right now, those are really their only two consistent and competent weapons coming into this game.
Fitzpatrick was drafted for just this job as a hybrid safety/slot corner and Baker was selected specifically to help the Dolphins in underneath coverage. I expect both to cover Gronk a ton and Baker to be burdened with the running backs Belichick deploys so successfully in the passing attack.
I am not an overly positive Dolphins’ supporter and, as such, I know this may appear a bit overly positive. And I am under no delusion that Miami is lock to win this game or anticipate this being some sort of cake walk. I also have no doubt that, if the Dolphins play to their potential, they are more than capable of winning this game. I believe they can and I believe they will win.