6 rings: 3 matchups to watch in Patriots Week 8 contest vs. Dolphins
The Patriots are headed on the road this weekend following a win. That’s right, a real life ’W’ against a formidable AFC opponent in the Buffalo Bills.
Said road trip is to Miami, where they’ll take on the division-leading Dolphins from Hard Rock Stadium for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
In this week’s edition of WEEI.com’s and the 6 Rings and Football Things podcast’s crucial clashes, here are three key matchups to keep your eyes on:
- Mike McDaniel vs. Belichick/Mayo/Belichick
While Bill Belichick has been, deservedly so, talked about as being on the hot seat this season after a 0-3 stretch that may have derailed the Patriots’ season, the head coaching matchup this weekend in Miami extends well beyond job security.
“I think everyone is pretty familiar with the Dolphins,” Belichick said as he opened his Wednesday press conference, not indulging on the opponent like he normally does as they faced off against them just six week ago. “So I’ll save you the recap on them. A pretty explosive team.”
‘Pretty explosive’ may be an understatement. Under head coach, play caller, and de facto offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel this season, Miami is averaging 34.3 points per game and 462.3 yards per game. Both of which lead the NFL.
What makes this matchup so interesting is that while the Dolphins’ coach is widely considered one of the faces of the ‘new-age’ offense in the NFL, Belichick is obviously known for his stout, timeless defensive principles that has succeeded across several generations.
“The orchestration of the [Patriots] defense is so consistent, so fundamentally consistent and sound,” McDaniel told the Miami media prior to their matchup in September. “Very, very detailed, and the leader of the ship was at the same job when we were all like, ‘What’s an iPod?'”
He also called Belichick, “one of the founding fathers of football”.
Said founding father, while an accurate description, also has plenty of talented assistants around him on his staff, including but not limited to former linebacker Jerod Mayo and his son Steve, who together run New England’s excellent defense.
When these teams faced off in Week 2, the Patriots implemented a three-high safety look for much of the contest that was able to slow down Miami’s high-powered offense. They held them to 24 points and 389 yards of total offense, pretty good considering the numbers we outlined above.
This time, however, they’re without arguably their two top players in Matthew Judon and Christian Gonzalez, making the task even taller this Sunday.
- Jonathan Jones vs. Tyreek Hill
Although they’re without Gonzalez, the Patriots will have cornerback Jonathan Jones back for this one.
Jones lining up against Miami wide receiver Tyreek Hill was my No. 1 ‘crucial clash’ for their Week 2 contest, but ended up injuring his ankle during practice leading up to the game and didn’t play because of it.
The cornerback has, generally, been given the Hill assignment when New England faces off against him - and he’s boded well. Here are his stats against him over their last five matchups (h/t Mark Daniels):
2022, Week 17: 2 targets, 0 completions, 1 INT
2022, Week 1: 4 targets, 2 completions, 28 yards
2020: 3 targets, 1 completion, 22 yards
2019: 6 targets, 4 completions, 38 yards
2018: 1 target
The Patriots held Hill in check in Week 2 (5 catches, 40 yards, TD) with Gonzalez at corner, and have yet to let up a 100-yard receiver this season. Whether they end up better off with Jones on the speedster is what I’ll have my eyes on come Sunday.
- Patriots’ offensive line vs. Dolphins’ defensive front
The Patriots finally got themselves together along the offensive line last weekend against the Bills, and the recipe looked to be Mike Onwenu playing right tackle.
“I don’t think in his four years here he’s played one position,” center David Andrews said after the game following Onwenu’s position change. “His rookie year he’s playing jumbo tight end, then he’s playing right tackle. Then second year he’s playing left guard, then back out to right tackle. This year right guard, right tackle. He has a lot of versatility that can help our football team and I appreciate him being out there.”
Right tackle should certainly be Onwenu’s spot moving forward. Quarterback Mac Jones was sacked just once on Sunday and New England’s run game was successful as well with 91 yards rushing (four yards per carry). All against against the Bills’ dominant front.
Head coach Bill Belichick credited David Andrews for the line’s success:
He’s done a great job,” Belichick said of Andrews on Wednesday. He’s done a great job. He’s playing well, and he really helps the quarterback, the offensive line. He’s a very good personality, calm but enthusiastic, aggressive and energetic, but at the same time, there’s not a panic to it. Really good, he does a great job.”
On Sunday, the group led by Andrews and Onwenu will be challenged with blocking yet another high-quality front consisting of Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, Christian Wilkins, and Zach Sieler. On the season, the Dolphins’ defense has tallied 24 sacks and 38 tackles for loss.
Can the Patriots keep up their momentum and continue helping Jones and the rest of the offense score points? We’ll have our answer in roughly 82 hours.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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