PLAYER NOTES
–CB Xavien Howard, who missed practice on Wednesday with a knee issue, leads the NFL with seven interceptions. He has three multi-interception games this season, including two each in the past two weeks (Indianapolis Colts and the Buffalo Bills). However, he is doubtful to be ready for the Patriots.
–TE A.J. Derby was placed on injured reserve. A sixth-round pick by New England in 2015, the 6-5, 255-pounder out of Arkansas had a strong preseason camp but has been injury prone ever since. He played just four games and had three receptions. His bright moments were a touchdown catch and a forced fumble on special teams.
–CB Dee Delaney was claimed after he was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Delaney, who finished his college career at the University of Miami, was signed by the Jaguars in April as an undrafted free agent. He figures to give Miami depth at cornerback.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: WR Danny Amendola, who missed last week’s Bills game due to a knee injury, is expected to play against his former team, the Patriots. Amendola, who has played 11 games, leads the Dolphins in catches (48) and yards (469). “I think he wants to play in this game as bad as anyone,” Dolphins head coach Adam Gase said.
GAME PLAN: The Dolphins’ game plan is to … pray? Let’s face it: The Patriots, who beat the Dolphins 38-7 on Sept. 30, are expected to win. New England’s offense is seventh in the NFL in yards and first downs. Miami is 29th in both stats. The Patriots are also very disciplined – their 65 penalties are just one off the league lead. New England’s offensive drives result in a score 42 percent of the time – sixth in the NFL. Miami’s percentage (30.0) ranks 28th. Defensively, the Patriots are sixth in the AFC in fewest points allowed (259). Miami ranks 11th with 300 points allowed. It will take an off day by New England and a spectacular effort by the Dolphins to pull an upset this Sunday.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill vs. Patriots DEs Trey Flowers, Adrian Clayborn and Deatrich Wise. Tannehill is 4-3 as a starter this season and 41-43 for his career – nothing much has changed there. But his interception rate (3.4) would be a career high if it continues at this pace, and his sack percentage (7.8) is the second-highest of his six years in the NFL, and those two figures are definitely connected. That’s why it’s important to the Patriots that they pressure Tannehill. That job belongs, primarily, to Wise (4.5 sacks, team-high 13 QB hits), Flowers (4.5 sacks ties Wise for team high, 12 QB hits) and Clayborn (2.5 sacks, 12 QB hits).
–Dolphins DB Minkah Fitzpatrick and LBs Jerome Baker and Raekwon McMillan vs. Patriots QB Tom Brady. Fitzpatrick and Baker are rookies, and McMillan was drafted in 2017 but missed the season due to injuries. These are talented players who represent three of Miami’s top six tacklers. Brady, of course, is a walking Hall of Famer, and he has a knack for feasting on inexperienced players.
