Patriots at Dolphins
Pro Player Stadium, Miami, Fla.,
Sunday, Nov. 21

AT A GLANCE: New England visits Miami in a key AFC East battle. Miami looks to recover from a rare loss last week, while the Patriots try to avenge a 31-30 Week Six defeat at the hands of the Dolphins.

But Huard, in his first significant NFL action, rallied Miami to a last-second, 31-30 victory. Huard has started every game since and is almost certain to get the nod as the Patriots visit Miami in search of payback.

The rematch is a key battle in the tight AFC East race. Miami (7-2) lost its cushion by losing to Buffalo for the second time this season. New England (6-2 going into last Monday night’s game vs. the Jets) is still very much in the hunt.

Tempo could be a key in this matchup. New England likes to throw the ball, while Miami will likely use a ball-control, run-first attack and rely on its defense to win the game.

The Patriots have won five of their last seven meetings vs. the Dolphins (including playoffs). New England is 3-3-1 vs. the spread in those games.

WHEN THE PATRIOTS HAVE THE BALL:

New England has taken on a pass-first personality. QB Drew Bledsoe is having an outstanding season, in large part because WR Terry Glenn has stayed healthy. CB Sam Madison spearheads a Dolphins secondary that held Glenn without a catch in Week Six. The Patriots may move Glenn around to avoid matching him up with Madison this time around.

TE Ben Coates has not seen the ball much in recent weeks, but he remains a dangerous target. Dolphins SS Calvin Jackson, who would cover Coates at times, did not start last week (hamstring; check status), but replacement Shawn Wooden is solid.

New England’s running game has struggled at times this season, but it had started to come around going into the team’s bye. Terry Allen is still effective running inside, and rookie Kevin Faulk provides an outside threat. Miami’s run defense, spearheaded by DTs Tim Bowens and Daryl Gardener, is normally very stingy, but the Bills had some success on the ground last week.