Here’s a look at how the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots match up in six key areas ahead of Sunday’s Week 2 game at Hard Rock Stadium (1 p.m., CBS):
When the Dolphins run: Miami needs to sustain drives and refrain from turnovers offensively in order to keep the run game going throughout this matchup. It would be preferable if the Dolphins can avoid falling behind and, in fact, play with a lead to keep the ground game churning. Running back De’Von Achane had 55 rushing yards on just seven carries, but 26 of those yards came on one attempt once the Dolphins were already down 30 points in the season-opening loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Rookie Ollie Gordon II only rushed twice, both in the second half.
Then there’s the issue of the health of the offensive line. It only took three offensive plays in the 2025 season for the Dolphins’ starting unit up front to take a hit. Right guard James Daniels, acquired in free agency, went down with a pectoral injury in the opener. It’s Kion Smith in for him, with Cole Strange now possibly in the mix as a signing from the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad. If Austin Jackson has to miss time with an aggravation to his toe injury, it’s Larry Borom in his place there.
Miami goes against a Patriots run defense that held the Las Vegas Raiders rushing attack with standout rookie Ashton Jeanty to 2.3 yards per carry in their opener in Foxborough, a 20-13 loss. Milton Williams and Christian Barmore form a strong defensive tackle duo, with Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss, who led the team with eight tackles last week, at linebacker. Edge: Patriots
When the Patriots run: Much could be made of rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson out of Ohio State, but New England only ran him five times in the opener. He did manage 27 rushing yards off those attempts, though. Veteran bulldozer Rhamondre Stevenson started and got seven carries for just 15 yards against the Raiders. The Patriots should look to incorporate both to complement one another.
The right side of New England’s offensive line is worth keeping an eye on between guard Mike Onwenu and tackle Morgan Moses. The Dolphins’ defensive front allowed 156 rushing yards in Indianapolis, but that number was developed over 40 rushing attempts as the Colts dominated time of possession. A moderately good job was done against elite running back Jonathan Taylor, so expect defensive linemen Zach Sieler and Kenneth Grant and linebackers Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson to bring it in the box. Edge: Dolphins
When the Dolphins pass: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa must rebound from his three-turnover outing in Week 1. He missed high on a throw to wide receiver Tyreek Hill that resulted in one interception. He didn’t get the ball over an underneath defender on another pass to slot receiver Malik Washington, as Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu picked him off. On top of that, he lost a fumble and could’ve easily had another interception or lost fumble.
He’ll try to limit turnovers while behind a depleted right side of his offensive line, which protects the left-handed thrower’s blind side. It’ll be Smith may have to block Williams, and Borom may have the challenge of pass-blocking talented new Patriots edge rusher Harold Landry, who used to crush the Dolphins when he was with the Tennessee Titans. Landry, by the way, had 2 1/2 sacks in his Patriots debut against the Raiders.
The overall pass defense for New England, however, struggled in Week 1, allowing quarterback Geno Smith to throw for 362 yards while wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and tight end Brock Bowers combined for 200 receiving yards. The Patriots are missing standout cornerback Christian Gonzalez. They ran out Alex Austin in his place opposite Carlton Davis, a Miami Norland High grad, in the opener. Let’s see if these are matchups Hill and Waddle can win with Tagovailoa finding them before pressure arrives. Edge: Dolphins
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When the Patriots pass: With the Dolphins’ unproven secondary, it was a struggle for the group in coverage against the Colts. There was a breakdown that allowed Indianapolis wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to get wide open for a 27-yard touchdown. Meanwhile, this defense still can’t cover tight ends, as rookie Tyler Warren had an excellent debut. The cornerbacks group took another hit, with Storm Duck going down last Sunday. Rasul Douglas nearly had an interception in his place, as he should start opposite Jack Jones.
They will look to attack the ball against second-year Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. Maye went 30 of 46 for 287 yards, a touchdown and an interception against the Raiders. He found Kayshon Boutte six times for 103 yards and fellow wide receiver Stefon Diggs six times for 57 yards. His short touchdown went to DeMario Douglas, but he only completed two of his seven targets to him.
Maye also took four sacks against Las Vegas. With Moses possibly hampered by his foot injury on the right side and rookie left tackle Will Campbell still inexperienced, the talented Dolphins edge-rushing group of Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, Chop Robinson and Matthew Judon could look to get going after just Chubb had Miami’s lone sack against the Colts. Daniel Jones had all day to throw in that game, so the Dolphins need the interior pass rush of Sieler and Grant to work in unison with the edges. Edge: Patriots
Special teams: The Patriots always pride themselves on standout special teams, and that doesn’t change from previous coaches Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo to Mike Vrabel now. Brenden Schooler is an elite player in this phase who must be accounted for, as someone who blocked a Dolphins field goal two years and a punt against Miami last season. New England’s new kicker is former Miami Hurricanes standout Andres Borregales, who was 2 for 3 on field goals in his NFL debut and is back at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Dolphins have former Patriots punting and long snapping in Jake Bailey and Joe Cardona, respectively. Currently without starting kicker Jason Sanders, Riley Patterson will get called up from the practice squad for place kicking — and maybe try his first field goal or extra point with the team. The Dolphins can’t have a penalty on special teams like last Sunday’s running-into-the-punter from Matthew Judon. Edge: Patriots
Intangibles: McDaniel and Tagovailoa have had prior success against the Patriots, but neither has been able to beat Vrabel. The Dolphins should come out with significant urgency as they can’t afford to lose their home opener in the division before the quick turnaround for Thursday night against the Bills in Buffalo. Miami also has the 1 p.m. early-season home advantage in South Florida’s heat and humidity. Edge: Dolphins
PREDICTION: Dolphins 23, Patriots 20
Dolphins Deep Dive: Must-win situation for McDaniel; will Tua bounce back? | VIDEO
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/09/11/who-has-the-edge-dolphins-vs-patriots-in-early-must-win/
