Everything you need to know about the Patriots’ Week 18 opponent.
In each of the last two seasons, the New England Patriots entered their regular season finale already long eliminated from playoff contention. This year is different: at 13-3, the team of head coach Mike Vrabel has not just punched its postseason ticket but also is in contention for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
In order to keep its slim chance of earning home-field advantage through the playoffs alive, New England will first need to take care of business against the Miami Dolphins — something Mike Vrabel’s team already did earlier in the year, celebrating a 33-27 win in Week 2. Sunday’s rematch in Foxborough, however, will feature a Dolphins team that will look significantly different to the one that suffered a home loss to the Patriots in September.
Dolphins key stats
Owners of a 7-9 record, the Dolphins are already eliminated from playoff contention. Considering that they are a statistically mediocre team across the board, that is no surprise.
Record: 7-9 (3rd AFC East/10th AFC)
Scoring differential: -49 (21st)
Turnover differential: -2 (t-18th)
Offense: 21.1 points/game (22nd), 308.3 yards/game (25th), 22 giveaways (t-25th), -0.003 EPA/play (23rd), -0.003 EPA/dropback (26th), -0.003 EPA/run (8th)
Defense: 24.1 points/game (21st), 342.0 yards/game (21st), 20 takeaways (t-11th), 0.073 EPA/play (25th), 0.165 EPA/dropback (26th), -0.062 EPA/run (18th)
Most of the stats outlined above show a team that is at best middle of the pack. There are some exceptions, though, including Miami’s ability to run the ball: the Dolphins are not just ranked eighth in expected points added per run, but also fourth in yards per carry (4.9).
Meanwhile, their defense has been quite solid generating turnovers. The Dolphins are especially productive recovering fumbles, ranking third in the NFL (11).
Dolphins 2025 season
If the Dolphins’ 2025 can be summed up in one word, it’s probably “streaky.” Miami struggled early in the season, starting 2-7 and looking destined for a top-5 selection in the draft. However, the team started rebounding halfway through the season to improve to come within one win of a .500 record.
Ultimately, though, that rebound came to late and removed all room for error. In Week 15, Miami was officially eliminated from the playoffs.
Week 1: 33-8 loss at Indianapolis Colts (0-1)
Week 2: 33-27 loss vs. New England Patriots (0-2)
Week 3: 31-21 loss at Buffalo Bills (0-3)
Week 4: 27-21 win vs. New York Jets (1-3)
Week 5: 27-24 loss at Carolina Panthers (1-4)
Week 6: 29-27 loss vs. Los Angeles Chargers (1-5)
Week 7: 31-6 loss at Cleveland Browns (1-6)
Week 8: 34-10 win at Atlanta Falcons (2-6)
Week 9: 28-6 loss vs. Baltimore Ravens (2-7)
Week 10: 30-13 win vs. Buffalo Bills (3-7)
Week 11: 16-13 (OT) win vs. Washington Commanders (4-7)
Week 12: Bye
Week 13: 21-17 win vs. New Orleans Saints (5-7)
Week 14: 34-10 win at New York Jets (6-7)
Week 15: 28-15 loss at Pittsburgh Steelers (6-8)
Week 16: 45-21 loss vs. Cincinnati Bengals (6-9)
Week 17: 20-17 win vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
After losing to the Steelers, Miami was officially out of the playoff picture. Two days later, the team announced benching its starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa.
Dolphins active roster
Roster up-to-date as of Jan. 2, 6 p.m. ET | *denotes nominal starter
Quarterback (4): Quinn Ewers* (14), Zach Wilson (0), Tua Tagovailoa* (1), Cam Miller (—)
Running back (5): De’Von Achane* (28), Jaylen Wright (5), Alec Ingold (30 | FB), Ollie Gordon II (31), Donovan Edwards (48)
Wide receiver (6): Jaylen Waddle* (17), Malik Washington* (6 | KR/PR), Cedrick Wilson Jr.* (19), Theo Wease Jr. (81), Tahj Washington (84), Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (18)
Tight end (2): Greg Dulcich* (85), Julian Hill (89)
Offensive tackle (4): Patrick Paul* (52 | LT), Austin Jackson* (73 | RT), Kendall Lamm (70), Larry Borom (79)
Interior offensive line (5): Jonah Savaiineaea* (72 | LG), Aaron Brewer* (55 | C), Cole Strange* (69 | RG), Daniel Brunskill (64), Andrew Meyer (60)
Interior defensive line (5): Zach Sieler* (92), Kenneth Grant* (90), Jordan Phillips (94), Zeek Biggers (93), Matthew Butler (91)
Defensive edge (5): Bradley Chubb* (2), Chop Robinson* (44), Quinton Bell (56), Cameron Goode (53)
Linebacker (5): Tyrel Dodson* (25), Jordyn Brooks* (20), Willie Gay Jr. (40), K.J. Britt (3), Jackson Woodard (42)
Cornerback (6): Jack Jones* (23), Rasul Douglas* (26), Jason Marshall Jr.* (33), Ethan Bonner (27), Ethan Robinson (38), A.J. Green III (24)
Safety (4): Minkah Fitzpatrick (29), Ashtyn Davis* (21), Ifeatu Melifonwu* (9), Dante Trader Jr. (11)
Specialists (3): Riley Patterson (47 | K), (Jake Bailey (16 | P/H), Joe Cardona (49 | LS)
As noted above, the Dolphins have undergone some dramatic changes since their last game against the Patriots in Week 2. The most notable among them is benching quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after playoff elimination.
In Tagovailoa’s place, the Dolphins have turned to rookie Quinn Ewers. In his two starts so far, the seventh-round draft pick went a combined 34-of-52 for 432 yards with a pair of touchdowns as well as two interceptions, leading his team to a 1-1 record.
On paper, Ewers’ top two weapons will be running back De’Von Achane and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who are ranked first and second on the team with a respective 67 and 64 receptions. However, Achane is doubtful for Sunday because of a foot injury, while Waddle is questionable with a rib issue.
If the two are unable to go, New England’s job will be an easier one. The projected replacements atop the running back and wide receiver depth charts — Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon as well as Malik Washington — are capable players but lack the same home run ability.
On defense, the Dolphins decided to move on from starting edge Jaelan Phillips at the trade deadline and also parted ways with ex-Patriot Matthew Judon in mid-December. They still have some disruptive potential across their front seven, though, with outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (8.5 sacks), interior lineman Zach Sieler (5.5) and linebacker Tyrel Dodson (5.0) all capable of making life hard on opposing quarterbacks.
While Miami’s front has some solid individual pieces, the backend continues to be an issue. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick will not play on Sunday due to a calf injury, while the cornerback group has been hit hard by injury.
Dolphins reserves
Practice squad (15): RB JaMycal Hasty (37), RB Jeff Wilson Jr. (34), WR A.J. Henning (88), TE Chris Myarick (86), TE Hayden Rucci (87), OT Kadeem Telfort (75), OL Josh Priebe (68), OL Kion Smith (71), DT Alex Huntley (96), DT Simeon Barrow Jr. (89), ED Andre Carter II (50), ED Derrick McLendon (59), LB Jimmy Ciarlo (45), LB K.C. Ossai (57), S Jack Henderson (41)
Practice squad international (1): OT Roy Mbaetaka
Practice squad/reserve (1): CB Kendall Sheffield
Injured reserve (20): RB Alexander Mattison, WR D’Wayne Eskridge, WR Tyreek Hill, TE Jalin Conyers, TE Darren Waller, OT Yodny Cajuste, OT Obinna Eze, OT Germain Ifedi, OL James Daniels, DT Benito Jones, LB Jordan Colbert, LB Caleb Johnson, CB JuJu Brents, CB Artie Burns, CB Storm Duck, CB Isaiah Johnson, CB Kader Kohou, CB Jason Maitre, S Elijah Campbell, K Jason Sanders (IR-R)
Physically unable to perform (1): OL Liam Eichenberg
Numbers-wise, few teams in the NFL have been hit quite as hard by injury as the Dolphins: between IR and PUP, the Dolphins are down 22 players. Among them are the aforementioned Tyreek Hill as well as an entire depth chart full of cornerbacks.
Dolphins coaching staff
Head coach: Mike McDaniel
Coordinators: Frank Smith (OC), Anthony Weaver (DC), Craig Aukerman (ST)
Halfway through the 2025 season, Mike McDaniel’s future as Dolphins head coach appeared to be in serious doubt. Now, with one game to go, it looks like he might be coming back for 2026. Whether the same will be true for his assistants remains to be seen.
Category: General Sports
