Patriots opponent preview: Get to know the Miami Dolphins – 98.5 The Sports Hub

In Week 8, the New England Patriots complete their first cycle of the year through the rest of the AFC East. After beating the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets earlier in the season they finally take on the Miami Dolphins, heading to Hard Rock Stadium this Sunday.

Visits to Miami have tripped the Patriots up in the past. This year though, they’re facing a Dolphins team that just got its first win of the year last week.

Did the Dolphins pick up some momentum last week? What can they do that might be an issue for the Patriots? Let’s take a look ahead of the first of two meetings between these teams this year.

As the Dolphins rebuild their offense from the Tua Tagovailoa/Mike McDaniel days, the run game has emerged quicker than the passing game under offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. Miami ranks ninth in the NFL averaging 4.6 yards per carry. While that number is elevated a bit given they’ve often been behind in games, there are other factors that show their run game is something they can lean on.

2025 sixth-round pick Ollie Gordon has proved effective this year, and is tough to bring down at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds. Per PFF, he’s forced 15 missed tackles on just 72 attempts. Gordon will step into a bigger role moving forward with De’Von Achane dealing with an injury. Quarterback Malik Willis factors into the run game as well.

With their success running the ball, the Dolphins have been able to stay on schedule at times before games get out of hand. They’re converting on 41.3% of their third downs, which ranks 10th in the NFL. Their consistency in the run game has also helped them control tempo at times, and their average drive length of 3:06 is the third longest in the NFL.

While the Dolphins’ run game has kept them on schedule at times, they struggle to build on it. Explosive plays have been few and far between this year for Miami.

Through seven weeks, the Dolphins have the third-fewest plays of 15-plus yards this season. In total, they have 30 in six games.

At the same time moving backwards has been a problem for the Dolphins, especially in the passing game. The Dolphins are allowing a league-high 44.3% pressure rate per Next Gen Stats, and the fifth-highest sack rate in the NFL at 9.6%.

Just like on offense, the Dolphins have been at their best defensively in the run game. In particular, they win at the line of scrimmage.

So far this year the Dolphins are allowing, as a whole, 3.8 yards per carry. That ranks 11th in the NFL. Looking at their initial push, they’re allowing just 0.88 yards before contact which ranks sixth. They’ve stuffed 17.4% of opposing runs, which ranks 13th.

There’s a few places we could go here, but we’ll start with the most consequential one. That’s third downs.

The Dolphins have been one of the worst third down defenses in the NFL this year. Opponents are converting at a 52.1% rate, which is the second-highest in the league. Part of that is allowing teams to get into manageable positions. The average distance to go on third down against Miami this year is 6.1 yards, which is the second-shortest in the league.

In addition to third downs, the Dolphins have struggled to stop the few fourth down conversions against them this year. Teams are 4-for-5 in those situations.

Some teams compensate for weak third down defenses by preventing offenses from getting to third down, mainly by forcing turnovers. Jeff Hafley’s defense hasn’t been able to do that consistently. The Dolphins have forced just five turnovers this year, the fourth-fewest in the NFL. Two of those came in the season-opener against the Las Vegas Raiders.

QB Malik Willis: As the Dolphins tore down most of their roster this offseason to set up a rebuild, the one major addition was Willis. He got a three-year, $67.5 million deal from Miami to take over at quarterback after showing promise with the Packers. It’s been up and down for Willis this year, although he does seem to be limited by the lack of talent around him.

C Aaron Brewer: While the Dolphins’ offensive line as a whole has been a weakness, Brewer has been the bright spot. A defending All-Pro, Brewer is having another solid season. Look for Miami to put him at the point of attack in the run game at times.

EDGE Chop Robinson: A 2024 first-round pick, Robinson is the Dolphins’ top pass rusher. He leads the team with 20 pressures so far this season, but has only turned two into sacks.

LB Jacob Rodriguez: Rodriguez is making an immediate impact as a rookie. His athleticism and instincts are transferring well to the NFL. His 61 tackles lead the team and are eighth in the NFL. Rodriguez also has three tackles for a loss and an interception.

After going into their bye week at 0-5, the Dolphins returned to action last week and picked up their first win of the year. They did so by going into MetLife Stadium and beating the New York Jets 28-25 in another AFC East matchup.

Gordon had a big game leading the Dolphins’ offense. He carried the ball 25 times for 103 yards and a score. With Gordon and Willis running the ball the Dolphins ran out the final 3:24 of the game after giving up a late touchdown.

Rookie receiver Caleb Douglas caught his first two career NFL touchdowns. His two catches in the game going for 70 yards.

Defensively, the Dolphins allowed their second-highest yardage total of the season at 377 yards. The Jets converted 7-of-13 third downs, but did have one turnover as Geno Smith tossed an interception.

Last year the Patriots and Dolphins met in the regular season finale at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots split time between their starters and backups and the Dolphins were dealing with significant injuries of their own. In the end, New England won the game 38-10.

For the Patriots, Rhamondre Stevenson did a lot with limited snaps. On just seven carries he ran for 131 yards including a 56-yarder. He ran for two touchdowns, and caught another.

In their previous meeting in Week 2 of last year – the last time they played in Miami – Stevenson also had a big game. He ran for 54 yards and had 88 receiving, including a 55-yard catch-and-run that helped turn the tide early in the game.

Drake Maye bounced back in that one after a shaky opener, completing 19 of his 23 passes for 230 yards with two touchdowns and no picks. he ran for a touchdown as well.

Defensively, the Patriots got two sacks from Milton Williams. Overall though tackling was a problem, as the Patriots missed 14 tackles in that game.

However, most of the Dolphins’ offensive production in that game is from players no longer with the team or on IR. Tagovailoa threw for 315 yards, with 109 going to Tyreek Hill. Jaylen Waddle had 68 yards and a touchdown. Achane added another 92 yards and a score.