Dolphins (0-1) vs. Patriots (0-1)
Kickoff: 1 p.m., Sunday, Hard Rock Stadium
TV: (Ch. 4 in Miami-Dade, Broward counties; Ch. 12 in Palm Beach); Radio: WBGG (105.9-FM), WIOD (610-AM), WTZU (94.9-FM, Spanish); Palm Beach: ESPN (106.3 FM); WEFL (760-AM, Spanish)
Coaches: The Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel is 28-26 (.519), including playoffs, in his fourth season as a head coach; New England’s Mike Vrabel is 56-48 (.538), including playoffs, in his first season with New England and his seventh season overall.
Series: Dolphins lead, 63-55, including playoffs. The Dolphins have won the past four games against the Patriots and could have a five-game winning streak for the first time in series history.
Weather: Temperature is forecast for 84 degrees at kickoff with a “feels-like” temperature of 90 degrees.
Line: Dolphins are favored by 2 points; the over/under is 43.5 points.
Injuries: Dolphins — Out: TE Darren Waller (hip strain), CB Storm Duck (ankle), DT Benito Jones (oblique), RT Austin Jackson (toe). Doubtful: CB Ethan Bonner (hamstring), RB Jaylen Wright (knee). Questionable: S Ashtyn Davis (knee)
Patriots — CB Christian Gonzalez (hamstring), DE Keion White (illness). Questionable: LB Marte Mapu (neck), RT Morgan Moses (foot)
Noteworthy: The Dolphins have won their past four games against the Patriots, but Patriots coach Mike Vrabel has won his past two games against the Dolphins going back to his days coaching Tennessee. …
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa had one of his worst games last week with three turnovers (two interceptions, fumble) in a 33-8 loss at Indianapolis. Tagovailoa had a 51.7 passer rating. …
The Dolphins are minus-3 in turnover margin after one game, last in the league, and minus-13 in turnover margin in the three-plus season McDaniel era. …
New England QB Drake Maye was sacked four times in last week’s 20-13 loss to Las Vegas, raising hopes the Dolphins’ pass rush, led by outside linebackers Bradley Chubb (1.0 sack), Jaelan Phillips, Chop Robinson and Matthew Judon and defensive tackle Zach Sieler, can get to Maye. …
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On the other side of the ball the Patriots recorded 4.0 sacks last week led by linebacker Harold Landry (2.5 sacks). …
The Dolphins will watch the right side of their offensive line with RG Kion Smith starting for James Daniels (pectoral) and RT Larry Borom starting for Jackson. …
The Dolphins hope to get rookie RB Ollie Gordon II more involved in the run game early. A 20-0 halftime deficit put a dent in those plans last week. …
The Patriots being without Gonzalez, their best CB, figures to help WRs Tyreek Hill (four receptions, 40 yards) and Jaylen Waddle (three receptions, 40 yards) get free and return to their game-breaking days of 2023. …
The Dolphins might have K Riley Patterson, who is replacing an injured Jason Sanders (hip), play a key role in the game’s outcome. Patterson didn’t attempt a field goal or extra point last week at Indianapolis.
Dolphins Deep Dive: Prediction time — Can Miami win at home vs. Patriots? | VIDEO
