The Miami Dolphins have found a way to win nine of their past ten games, but they are not without flaws- and the New England Patriots are ready to capitalize.
The Dolphins have allowed 2,217 rushing yards this year, the third-worst mark in the league, ahead of only the San Francisco 49ers and the Cleveland Browns. The 49ers and Browns combine for a 3-27 record, so teams have run the ball a lot to run out the clock at the end of games. The Dolphins are 10-5 so they’ve allowed the rushing yards during the normal process of the game.
Miami has also allowed 4.89 yards per carry, which ranks 31st in the league and ahead of only the 49ers (4.91 YPC). They’ve been even worse in the second half of the season. Former Patriots LB Matt Chatham has shown how teams have been willing and able to run against this Dolphins defensive front.
The Dolphins have allowed a league-worst 5.30 YPC over the second half of the season and the Patriots will want to take advantage of their match-ups. RB LeGarrette Blount and RB Dion Lewis should be ready to attack the weak Dolphins front.
Miami has suffered from a rash of injuries, with starting safeties Reshad Jones and Isa Abdul-Quddus both sitting out on the injured reserve, along with linebacker Koa Misi. Fellow starting linebackers Jelani Jenkins and Kiko Alonso have battled knee and hamstring injuries, respectively, over the second half of the season.
If the Patriots running backs are able to get to the second level of the defense, they should be able to win most of their match-ups- and as Chatham pointed out in his video, teams are able to use the aggression of the Dolphins defensive line against Miami.