New England Patriots vs Miami Dolphins: Game 14 Preview and Prediction
By Hal Bent
WHO NEEDS TO STEP UP?
- Cameron Fleming/LaAdrian Waddle
Whoever is at right tackle has to face Miami defensive end Cameron Wake and his team-leading eight sacks. With Wake lining up primarily opposite the right tackle, New England may have a struggle to keep him away from Tom Brady on Monday night.
Starting right tackle Marcus Cannon has missed the last four games with an ankle injury and is out for Monday night. In his place, LaAdrian Waddle (who injured his ankle against Miami two weeks ago) or third-string right tackle Cameron Fleming will have to step in. Fleming allowed a sack to Wake against Miami two weeks ago but held up well against Buffalo last week.
Cooks had a strong game against Miami in week 12 catching six passes for 83 yards and a touchdown. With Rob Gronkowski suspended, the Patriots will have to lean on Cooks to help pick-up the slack. Last week Cooks struggled to get separation against Buffalo and was held to just two receptions for 17 yards, both lows for his initial season in New England.
Cooks has 53 receptions through 12 games for 886 yards and a gaudy 16.7 yards per reception average. With all the receiving options in New England, Cooks has amazingly only been targeted more than nine times in a game just once (week ten in Denver) but with Gronkowski out he should have a bigger role and needs to have a big game against the Dolphins.
- David Harris
David Harris was signed by the Patriots prior to training camp after his release by the New York Jets over the summer. At 33 years old, there was no doubt that the Patriots were keeping him in reserve early in the season as he acclimated to the defensive scheme and kept the wear-and-tear off his old bones.
Once Dont’a Hightower was lost for the season, it was expected Harris would step in as the starter but it went to Kyle Van Noy next to Elandon Roberts. With Van Noy out, Harris has finally stepped into a bigger role and responded with a strong game against the Bills with four tackles and 1.5 sacks. The Patriots are still limiting his playing time, but a strong game in Miami against running back Kenyan Drake could be key for the New England defense.