Can Miami Beat the Patriots?

Patriots have only lost one home opener under Belichick.

Patriots have only lost one home opener under Belichick.

Patriots with or without Brady are a tough team, as the Cardinals found out.

The Simple answer is yes, the Miami Dolphins can beat the New England Patriots; However, the much more difficult part is actually going out and doing it!

While Miami has split with the Patriots the last two seasons, they have not been able to beat the Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough since 2008. But this time, the Dolphins will be “lucky” enough not to have to face Tom Brady.

The Dolphins are going to have to play another near perfect game, if they want to have a chance to beat the Patriots. Even though Brady is not playing, Bill Belichick is still the coach, and he showed last week he could go on the road against one of the best teams in the league, and win without future Hall of Famers Brady and Gronk. The best pay per head bookie software in the world has the Patriots as a -6.5 point favorite, and the public has been eating it up, by predominately betting on the Patriots.

The Dolphins are going to have to make it a priority to protect Ryan Tannehill this game, because the Patriots showed last week that they had no problem putting pressure and getting to Carson Palmer. The Dolphins need their offensive line to also open up some running lanes, because they are going to need to establish some kind of running game this week.

Beating the Patriots this week is crucial for the 2016 Miami Dolphins.

Jay Ajayi who was a healthy scratch last week will be activated this game. Considering, he should have even more motivation to play hard this week, I believe that Arian Foster and Ajayi should be a better running back combination this week. Also, the Patriots run defense is not as good as the Seahawks, so Miami may have a better chance to actually get something going on the ground.

On defense Miami needs to just play like they played last week. They did a very good job stopping the run, and they put pressure on the QB — this must continue in spades. The Dolphins must, at bare minimum, put some pressure on Garoppolo. Despite his solid play in Week 1, Garoppolo still only has a extremely limited amount of NFL game time experience, so a healthy and steady pass rush could go a long way in diminishing some of Garoppolo’s new found confidence. Vance Joseph and the defense were very aggressive last week, which was a pleasant surprise. I expect that to be the case again this week.

Miami will also have to make sure they protect the football, because the Patriots always have an opportunistic defense. Then on the other side if Miami can pressure Garoppolo, then they may be able to cause him to either cough up the ball on an errant throw, or a strip sack.

If Miami can play like they did last week, with an extra boost in the offense, then I believe that Miami can pull off the upset this week, and finally beat the Patriots in New England. What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans thoughts about whether or not Miami can win on the road in New England this week?


 

17 comments

  • Lemmus

    …sigh

    …y’all could find a baby rabbit in a pit full of starving pythons …untouched …if it wore aqua

    …if that was Tanny’s best game, best hope we finish with a perfect season and get our choice of rookie QBs to start over with

    …c’mon guys, look at the pat’s defensive subs in the 3rd …tell me Belicheat was respectin’ our so-called offense at that point …gag me with a cleaver

    …I expected them to beat us …you know that …but I didn’t think we’d be playin’ like the 7th Cavalry at Little Big Horn …what this was, was a smackdown …Bellicheat used his 2nd and 3rd stringers and played us for what we were

    …Gase, meet your Daddy

    • admin

      I agree that some of the early offense was subs, but Belli was serious late. Gase seems off kilter…not sure if the whole thing is too big for him, or he is shocked at the “Dolphins esq” screw ups that come in swarms. He made a remark that some weren’t playing hard enough…okay, well this week he better be aces or I will go straight from believer to naysayers toot sweet. The only comforting fact is they made both games close…and if this young staff was going to cut there teeth and not win, this is the second best option in losing ( being consistent and close would be second)…only thing that bothers me is the long stretches of terrible which makes the big comeback necessary.

      • Dunner

        Miami did make the New England game close, but Seattle made the first game close and stolen it in the end. Lemmus, I knew that you were going to say the third string etc! Not the case defensively for the Pats, as a matter of fact, they didn’t even change their coverage’s or anything such throughout. At one point in the second half, Tanny was 21-22, I don’t care who you are that is impressive. I didn’t say it was Tanny’s best game, however; it was one of his best games as a Dolphin.

        Again, take into account the first 2 games: who and where. Close games do nothing for your season, but can have a lasting affect on the team’s mental stability, either positive or negative. In this case I’m thinking positive outcome. They had a chance to win both games in the fourth quarter, I believe a scenario we all would have taken if asked prior to the season, regardless of late lead or early deficit. Now they play a team they should beat, let us see what they do in this situation. If they take care of business and the game is in control going into the fourth quarter, there you have it = Progress. Don’t say it Lemmus (3rd string QB, etc), the Browns were leading in both their games in the 4th, so they play hard, they are a professional team and play as such. Lets get a better feel from this Sundays game. A sign of a good team is beating the teams you are supposed to beat, Sunday may tell us a little something. Take care of business and look to even up 4 days later, on the road against another upper echelon team.

        Miami kept punching the Pats in the mouth, and because of that Miami may have done themselves and the rest of the AFC a favor (knocked out Jimmy G) for 2 weeks. All is not as bad as seems; the slow starts are troublesome, LBer play is troublesome, RB situation is troublesome (Pead may surprise). You take your lumps w the coaching (Rooks), how will they adjust or respond. That will be a true sign of things to come.

        Lemmus, you should know that anything wearing Aqua and Orange has a chance, I’m a homer!!!

  • Dunner

    Yea, 0-2. Most expected it once schedule came out. Lemmus, you can’t put this one on Tanny, as a matter of fact, that may have been one of his better games thus far. I don’t want to hear the game was over and the “D” played off, etc. Not the case, not the Patriot way. There may be hope for him moving forward. We all know the issues yesterday, yea we could run the ball better, but if you can not stop them you can’t afford to run. Jay Ajayi is quickly playing himself right out of Miami.

    Defense, at least we have something on tape for week 17. Because they got abused for 2 quarters. Basically the short intermediate passes, once we started creating pressure w LBer/CB blitzes there were some positives. You telling me that there was not one offensive pass interference on the Pats? They were picking and going to the feet of the defenders prior to the pass being caught. Need to make them go over the top, that could also give our D-Line a extra second or two to get to the QB. That would involve press coverage across, something different than what they were doing. The LBer issue is showing itself more and more each week.
    I will say the defense kept plugging and they played a physical game. Regardless, the Pats are using the ice tub today. I like how our defense was bringing it, they did not let up one bit. This is by far the most physical defense we have had in quite awhile. Howard is the real deal, and will be our #1 before season is over, priority should be to pair him up w another young stud in the off season. Again, the defense brings the lumber, and that can have a lasting effect throughout the season. We can survive with Kiko as our Mike, but we need some athletic Wills and Sams (difference makers).

    Offensively I like how they kept bringing it as well. They played with an attitude and continued to run Pats over on the perimeter. They were letting the Pats know they were still coming throughout. Parker needs to be on the field, he can be a beast, the Pats had no answer for him and if the ball to end the game in the end zone is not to far for him, I believe he comes down w it over both Pats. Foster is down (surprise, not!), Ajayi is playing himself out of the equation and possibly out of Miami. It will most likely be Pead moving forward if healthy, which he will surprise. Drake showed us what he can offer, nice to see.

    All in all, not real bad for the second youngest team in the league on the road in the 2 toughest environments to play, new staff, a new process (both games would have been disastrous under previous regimes, though the defensive approach for the Pats game was disappointing). Now it is time to put those games behind us and focus on the home opener and the next 2 games and get back to .500. Miami will play 2 games in 5 days and have an opportunity to even their record up at 2-2 and benefit from a 10 day lay off and stay at home for over a month.

    Again, because of the physicality of the defense, they may have put the Pats in a tough position the next 2 games (going w a rook QB vs the Texans and Bills).

    • admin

      Alot of good points, but my major concern is the coaching. Joseph really did a poor Job early. So many breakdowns and bad calls. Cardinals did the same things the week before with the same results. After the first drive Joseph should have adjusted. Then their was all the missed assignments…and you nailed it LB’s . Jenkins played poor in pass coverage. Misi is a liability in coverage and Kiko is okay, but wasn’t stellar this week — the TD he gave up was poor as that “supposed” to be one of his strengths. Gase also came out with a bad plan…and overall, it was a poor job the first half. BUT, the reality is that this is a super young squad and both Gase and Joseph are rookies. That makes this week with all the cards stacked in their deck huge. They must unequivocally dominate this game and have few miscues — and heaven forbid if they lose. This week will show alot about Gase…he is talented, but is he, at this point, a head coach.

      Yeah, Ajayi is almost gone. Run game stinks.

      But, on a good note: not sacks, Cameron and Parker played well, and Howard did good — except he was burned deep, and Miami did crack on defense despite its other failings.

  • Lemmus

    …0-2
    …didn’t even cover 🙁
    …and the 4th doesn’t come close to making up for the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd
    …it ain’t horseshoes
    …pats 2nd string QB had a 155 QBR against our “defense”
    …then they let the 3rd stringer score on them just to prove they weren’t gonna discriminate
    …Mr Inconsistent was consistently inconsistent
    …if they kept such records, we’d own the one for longest stretch without a positive pass play
    …it was so bad I was thinking about becoming a pats fan …maybe the curse would xfer to them
    …enough said …sigh …wonder if the better half will let me take up drinking again in lieu of watching the phins play?

    …AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

    …nope, screaming didn’t help

    …and if anyone cites PFF to me in the next 24 hrs, I’m going to hire a hit man 🙁

    …!@#$%^&*(**&^%$#@#$%%^%^^^^&!!!!!

    …nope …that didn’t help either 🙁

    • admin

      I agree – but, I think Gase’s play calling was terrible early. That pick of Tannehill’s — even though his arm was hit — was not being wise. If he simply took that one away he would have had little blame to shoulder. Ajayi — I’m near done with him. LAndry’s fumble was another dagger on O. Defensively, it was more bad coaching early. Cardinals blitzed hard and were burned, Joseph should have realized that and several times the D blitzed too many and in the wrong spots. It was a shocker that the coaching was so bad early on. Missed tackles, playing too deep when you have over help, 3 players biting on the short together and leaving the mid open, Jenkins so oblivious that the ball goes right by his head. This week is the season and could start a total collapse if they don’t rebound. It’s Cleveland at home — so, no excuses. But honestly, this slow start, mistakes and uneven play is all on the staff…in spots it would be on players, but to this degree, it’s on the coaches.

  • Steve

    http://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/new-england-patriots/teamvsteam?opp=17

    Miami Dolphins lead series 53-48-0 Plus todays loss

    Points Scored: Miami Dolphins 2161, New England Patriots 2137

    New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins Results

    The following is a list of all regular season and postseason games played between the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins.

    The two teams have met each other 101 times (including 3 postseason games), with the New England Patriots winning 48 games and the Miami Dolphins winning 53 games.
    Miami Dolphins lead series 53-48-0

    Plus todays Dolphins games 24 New England 31

    Dolphins 53 – 49 PATS

  • Steve

    Unlike Miami Dolphins the New England PATs will not throw their QB’s in the backfield coaching pass only! A strong Run game helps to protect their QB’s.

    The second string QB Garoppolo and the 3rd string QB Briquette did not missed a beat due to a strong run game in Blount and White.

    When the Fins were struggling the 1st half then a strong run game. Helps Allow you to work yourself out of the Team Preseason A@@@ Mistakes.

    Those who think that we are going to the air is the key every play has been wrong for over a decade. That 1st half was just a sample what’s to come if we don’t commit to a strong run game.

    1. Why is it that Bill Belichick can lose his Starting QB or any player and
    continue to win?
    2. Why Does Irvin Myers Coach at Utah, Florida and Ohio State and produced a
    championship team?.
    3. Why Does Nick Sabin Give the Miami Dolphins two years and see loser then
    continue to Win in College?
    4. Jimbo Fisher is another;
    * These coaches understand you cannot be one dimensional like the our Fins just Passed don’t worry about the run.

    Honestly their is no excuse for losing to Seattle and the PAT’s.

  • Steve

    Okay the game is finished and the Fins were in preseason Mode until the middle of the 3rd quarter.

    It was at the point in this game I started wondering okay who will screw this series up now?

    Their is enough blame to go around!

    The Last quarter is what I see in the Dolphins.
    The Dolphins must learn how to play 60 minutes. Or it will continue to be an almost Team.
    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    • admin

      Yeah, this is the most crucial and relates to coaching. Gase stated some players didn’t play hard and they would be gone — he needs to crack the whip this week — this week all the cards are equal or stacked in Miami’s favor, so zero excuses. I will have a harsh opinion this week with little grace. They must simply dominate or this is full nose dive and I will have to start rethinking my opinions of Gase and Co. Hope I don’t have to do that.

  • Lemmus

    …of course they can …you can win the lotto six times too 🙂

    …but

    …Brady and Gronk are out

    …and the turnstile is inactive

    …so there is hope, little as it may be

    …here’s hoping Tanny stays inconsistent …as in a 140+ QBR against the pats

    …and the DL/DEs shake Garoppolo so bad he makes like a tree and leaves

    …I’m not betting Miami to win but I am betting they at least cover the spread

    …and looking forward to Raucous Rex being the next coach fired in Buffalo, I am

    • admin

      haaha, yeah that was the general point of the first. Sorry, I haven’t replied last couple of days…got rear-ended and got ye ole’ whiplash (some people mistake forward reverse), and then the host site deleted a crucial file or the site was hacked. Barely got Jimmy’s article out this morning. I’m watching the Fins game today stressed and achy. I think they will again keep it close. But, this time, I won’t be satisfied if they do…for obvious reasons. They need to win this one…not for the long term, but to have shot at this season and for T-Hill to show what he is made of…he must out duel a “back-up”. Guess you are watching the game from home this time?!!!

      • Steve

        ole’ whiplash! Ouch! Got it once in 2001 Did not feel anything right away but my neck felt slightly damage for about 12 months it eventually healed I never went to the doctor but I should have right after my accident.

        • admin

          Yeah Steve, I feel like I have a concussion — been foggy thinking since. Ohh well, took some of the sting out of the loss — very little. But, something is better than nothing.

    • admin

      about as bad as you can start with…not good.