Patriots vs. Dolphins: 6 reasons to be excited

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2. Weak Miami pass protection

Expect the Patriots’ pass rusher to have a field day against one of the weakest pass protection units in the league on Sunday.

Ryan Tannehill has been sacked 44 times this season, the sixth-most among all quarterbacks. Jamil Douglas was the poster boy for the unit’s struggles in Week 16, snapping a ball too early which led to the game-cementing sack in favor of the Indianapolis Colts.

Leftover thoughts from loss to Jets

The Patriots’ pass rushers are licking their chops ahead of this game. Look for Chandler Jones to push his career-high sack total into the teens on Sunday—he currently has 12.5 quarterback takedowns to his name. Keep in mind that the last time these foes met, a few days before Halloween, Jones posted a pair of sacks.

In addition, expect Jabaal Sheard to flirt with double-digits in the sack column. He has eight right now, a career high that should be extended with the threat of Jones working opposite from him.

Thanks to the production of Chandler and Sheard and others, the Patriots rank second only behind the Denver Broncos with 48 sacks on the stat sheet.

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