New England Patriots vs Miami Dolphins: Game 14 Preview and Prediction
By Hal Bent
WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN (GAME PREDICTION)
The Dolphins have a defense that has played above expectations on some weeks (last week against Denver, in Atlanta in week six, and against the Chargers in week one) and an offense that has struggled all season but has clicked when able to get the running game going. The Patriots have improved on defense after a rough start to the season and have not allowed an opponent to score more than 17 points in any of their last eight games.
The Dolphins will be trying to establish their running game and short passing game with running back Kenyan Drake and getting quarterback Jay Cutler protected to make a few big plays downfield. The pressure will be on the New England linebackers and defensive line to keep Drake bottled up and keep Cutler under pressure and expose his inaccurate passing game when flustered.
Cutler is good for a few big plays through the air but the Patriots have figured out how to take away those big chunk yardage plays through the air in recent weeks. On the other side, Miami’s secondary has played better than anticipated at times this season, but stopping Tom Brady with their weak pass rush (outside of Cameron Wake who has all but 13 sacks for Miami) and starting cornerback Cordrea Tankersley is going to be tough.
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New England should have more than enough firepower (even with the suspension to Gronkowski) to hold off the Dolphins and their weak offense even on the road, but it may be a close first half on Sunday until the Patriots get their offense in gear and defense settles in to stop the Dolphins.
FINAL SCORE: New England Patriots 27 – Miami Dolphins 13