FOXBOROUGH – The Patriots need to staunch the bleeding.
With the team’s Week 1 upset win feeling like forever ago, Jerod Mayo’s team is currently riding a three-game losing streak. Now, they have a golden opportunity to get back on the right track.
Although they were considered massive underdogs against the Miami Dolphins when the season started, that’s no longer the case as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is out due to another concussion. That injury led the Dolphins to start multiple quarterbacks and this weekend, the Patriots will take on Tyler ‘Snoop’ Huntley.
Signed off the Baltimore Ravens practice squad, Huntley started last week for Miami. Miami’s offense didn’t look good in their 31-12 loss to the Tennessee Titans. Huntley passed for 96 yards and added another 40 yards with a touchdown on the ground.
The Patriots hope those offensive struggles continue. Mayo’s team enters this week ranked 31st in scoring, averaging 13.0 points per game. Only the Dolphins are worse (11.3).
Here are five things to watch when the Patriots take on the Dolphins:
Quarterbacks
This isn’t a heavyweight matchup. Huntley has started 10 games over his NFL career and owns a 3-7 record in those starts. Brissett is 19-33 in his 52 career starts. This year, he has 536 yards to go with two touchdowns and an interception in four games.
Brissett is currently 31st in the NFL in passing yards. He’s about to face off against a quarterback who started this season on a practice squad.
This game might come down to what quarterback can hold onto the ball. Last week, Brissett threw an interception and fumbled three times. On Sunday, ball security is key. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see whoever wins the turnover battle, win the game.
Offensive line
It can’t get any worse, can it?
The Patriots offensive line is struggling. That’s not going to get any easier without their leader and captain. This week, the team learned that center David Andrews will miss the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury. Andrews had increased responsibilities in Alex Van Pelt’s system.
Now, the Patriots will move on without the veteran center. The next man up is Nick Leverett, who was limited this week in practice with an ankle injury. The team also used practice squad center Bryan Hudson in practice this week in case Leverett can’t play.
We’ll see how it plays out, but the Patriots need to play better up front.
Secondary
The Dolphins don’t have their quarterback, but they still have some dynamic receivers on the roster. The Patriots will have their hands full with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on Sunday.
Last week, the team struggled against Deebo Samuel. They also struggled to contain DK Metcalf in Week 2. If the Patriots are going to get back on the winning track, they’ll need to contain Hill and Waddle. Hill started the season strong, catching seven passes for 130 yards in Week 1. Since then, however, he’s been quiet. After Tagovailoa went down, Hill finished with 24 yards, 40 yards and 23 yards.
The Patriots need to continue that trend.
Pass rush
It would also help the Patriots if they got to the opposing quarterback more. The Dolphins have allowed the eighth most sacks in the NFL this season.
This season, the Patriots have nine total tackles. That’s tied for 20th in the NFL. Keion White leads the Patriots with four sacks and nine quarterback hits. Second on the team is Deatrich Wise with two sacks and three quarterback hits. After them, the Patriots have three sacks.
The defense needs to bring more pressure, but also make sure they contain Huntley. One of their issues this season has been ‘setting the edge.’ Issues arise when pass rushers run too far upfield, allowing the quarterback an open lane to scramble. That can’t happen on Sunday.
Special teams
It’s no secret that the Patriots offense is struggling to push the ball and score points. That’s why the team has been heavily reliant on their special teams unit.
In San Francisco, the unit was pivotal. The team’s only touchdown came after a special teams fumble. A 15-yard Marcus Jones punt return led to a 54-yard field goal. Then Joey Slye kicked the longest field goal in Patriots history with a 63-yard boot.
In their only win this season, in Cincinnati, the Patriots made the most out of a special teams turnover. On Sunday, the team could use a boost. It would be helpful if that came on a big punt return from Jones, who was an All-Pro punter returner as a rookie, more turnovers, or another big kick from Slye.
Prediction: Patriots 13, Dolphins 9
