Pats Pulpit
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.
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).
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...
