Patriots/Dolphins Preview

With the Patriots having already clinched a first-round bye with the playoffs just a week away, the next item on the list is locking down the number 1 seed in the conference. They are playing an inferior team in the Miami Dolphins, but inter-divisional games are always the hardest no matter who you are. I'm sure Bill Belichick will have his hands full between Ndamakung Suh on the defensive side of the ball and third-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill on the offensive side. Although they have some playmakers on both sides of the ball, the Patriots are still the better team, despite their injuries.

I'd look for the Patriots to feature a heavy rushing attack to try and shorten the game, and hopefully to get out of the game as healthy as possible. It will be interesting to see how many looks newcomer Steven Jackson gets, as Belichick figures out his gameplan for the playoffs. It will also be interesting to see how that injured offensive line for the Pats holds up throughout. I'd also look for the Patriots to consider resting some players who may be a little hurt and fringing on playing, like Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola. I'd like to see them go as far as resting key players such as Brady and Gronkowski, just because the game and the 1st seed is nowhere near as important as keeping those All-Pros rested and healthy. Even if that is the case, look for the Pats to take care of business tomorrow.

Final Score:

Patriots: 20 Dolphins: 13