The New England Patriots (1-0) will host the Miami Dolphins (0-1).
The New England Patriots are looking to move to 2-0 for the 9th time since 2000, while the Miami Dolphins are trying to avoid the kiss of death by falling to 0-2. The Dolphins hold a 53-48 edge in the head-to-head series, dating back more than 50 years.
The Patriots are 13-1 in their home openers at Gillette Stadium, with the one recently vindicated loss against the Cardinals in 2012. The Patriots destroyed the Dolphins 36-7 in October of 2015, but fell in the season finale after some awful coaching choices. That final loss prevented the Patriots from earning homefield advantage and contributed to the team not making the Super Bowl.
Dolphins rookie head coach Adam Gase coached alongside Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and tight ends coach Brian Daboll at Michigan State, under former Bill Belichick defensive coordinator Nick Saban. McDaniels hired Gase to his Broncos coaching staff back in 2009. Daboll served as the Dolphins offensive coordinator in 2011. Dolphins wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson played for the Patriots from 1996-99.
The Patriots have former Dolphins in the recently extended LB Jonathan Freeny, who could see extended time if Dont’a Hightower is unable to play, and in DT Anthony Johnson. Former Patriots DT Chris Jones was recently added to the Dolphins.
Date: Sunday, September 18th, 2016
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
Kickoff: 1:00 PM EST
Betting line: Patriots are the 6.5-point favorites
SB Nation Affiliates: The Phinsider
TV: CBS
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Blue: Patriots vs Dolphins
Red: Bengals vs Steelers
Green: Chiefs vs Texans
Yellow: Titans vs Lions
Orange: Ravens vs Browns
Announcers: Greg Gumbel and Trent Green, with Jamie Erdahl on the sidelines
Channels: Courtesy of the New England Patriots media guide.
Massachusetts
Boston, Mass. WBZ-TV Ch. 4
Online Streaming: NFL Game Pass for international viewers, 98.5 The Sports Hub Online Radio Stream.
Radio: 98.5 FM, with Scott Zolak and Bob Socci
Additional Information: The Patriots provide an incredible breakdown on their website.