Three key matchups for the Patriots to beat the Dolphins

Key matchups for Patriots in week seventeen

Matthew Judon vs. Dolphins tackles

Last year, it seemed Matthew Judon got worse as the season went on as he registered just three sacks over the last seven weeks, including none in the final four games. He has 2.5 sacks over his past three games to give him an outside shot of setting the Patriots single-season record. Last week against the Bengals, he had a sack of Joe Burrow but also forced a key fumble to give the Patriots a shot of winning at the end.

This week, he gets the Dolphins who are banged up at the tackle position. Terron Armstead has been in and out of the lineup the past few weeks and has not practiced much this week while head coach Mike McDaniel says that he’ll be a game-time decision. Tackle Eric Fisher has also not practiced this week so Judon will have to take advantage of a depleted position along the Miami offensive line. If he is able to provide constant pressure on Teddy Bridgewater, this will go a long way in helping the banged up secondary.