5 Dolphins strengths the Patriots need to contend with
The Patriots are 1-0 after a 23-21 win over the favored Arizona Cardinals last week. A home date with the Miami Dolphins figures to be an easier matchup, but Miami has historically challenged the Patriots when they least expect it (just ask Bill Belichick). With that in mind, here are five things the Dolphins do well, five things New England must try to counter.
1. Protecting the ball
The Patriots defense was impressive when it came to forcing turnovers in the preseason, and while they didn’t force one against the Cardinals, the unit still looked dynamic at times. That task will get tougher against the Dolphins, who tied for the fourth-fewest turnovers in the NFL last season with 19.
2. Avoiding high-risk plays
Of NFL QBs to play all 16 games last season, only four made shorter pass attempts on average than Ryan Tannehill. His 7.1 yards per pass attempt helped the Dolphins limit turnovers and make it hard for defenses to make big plays against them.
3. Throwing to Jarvis Landry
Landry is a dynamic third-year receiver out of LSU who caught 110 passes last year, good for fourth in the NFL behind only Julio Jones, Antonio Brown, and Deandre Hopkins. Only five players (those three along with Brandon Marshall and Demaryius Thomas) saw more targets.
4. Making plays in the secondary
Credit in this category goes almost entirely to safety Reshad Jones, who had five interceptions (tied for fourth in the league) and ran two of those back for touchdowns. He’s a player to be wary of both for Patriots fans and Jimmy Garoppolo.
5. Solid special teams play
The Dolphins were in the top half of the league in opponent’s average starting field position, due largely to punter Matt Darr, whose punts traveled 47.6 yards on average, good for third in the NFL. Jarvis Landry was 8th in the NFL average yards per punt return with 9.9, but he won’t be the best returner to take the field Sunday: Danny Amendola’s 12 yards per punt return was the best average in the league.
2016 Patriots schedule
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