Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 29th @ 1:00 PM ET
Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Betting Odds: MIA -9.5, 47 total via PFF.com
Network: CBS
Writer: Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ on Twitter/X)
New England Patriots
Quarterback
Mac Jones (Sit)
Mac Jones and the Patriots broke their three-game skid in an upset victory against the Bills last week. Jones kept clean of the ball, completing 25 of 30 attempts for 272 yards and two touchdowns. To say the least, it was a very unexpected performance and win, and the matchup this week (on paper, at least) is quite favorable against a Dolphins defense allowing the seventh most fantasy points to opposing QBs on the season. Even so, Jones can be left on the wire in a week where there are no teams on bye.
Running Backs
Rhamondre Stevenson (Start, RB2), Ezekiel Elliott (Sit)
Rhamondre Stevenson has put together back-to-back solid games, most notably in the passing game. Between Weeks 6 & 7, Stevenson has totaled 11 receptions on 12 targets for 75 yards. Week 8 offers a rematch with Miami, where in the first meeting in Week 2, Stevenson rushed for only 50 yards, but did score on the ground.
Ezekiel Elliott has scored in back-to-back games himself, but those scores have saved his fantasy lines, considering he is a non-factor in the passing game, and doesn’t run for high yardage. Elliott doesn’t offer much these days, and in a week with no bye’s, he can be left on your bench/waiver wire.
FWIW, the Dolphins just allowed Jalen Hurts and Kenneth Gainwell to score rushing touchdowns last week.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Kendrick Bourne (Start, FLEX), Demario Douglas (Sit), Hunter Henry (Sit), Mike Gesicki (Sit)
Yes, NE is coming off a win against Buffalo, but the offense is still not a very inviting bunch. The likes of Kendrick Bourne and rookie Demario Douglas played a part in the win against the Bills, with JuJu Smith-Schuster out with a concussion, and DeVante Parker active, but a non-factor. I would say Bourne has the most fantasy appeal, totaling 16 receptions on 18 targets across Week’s 6 & 7; and Douglas is one to keep an eye on as a potential stash.
Both TE’s, Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki, do not offer much streaming value on the weekly.
Miami Dolphins
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa (Start, QB1)
Tua Tagovailoa is coming off of his worst game of the season last week against the Eagles. He completed 23 of 32 passes for 216 yards, a touchdown, and threw one interception. The opponent was also the toughest Tua & the Dolphins have faced this season in Philly, and so you’ll hope he gets back on track against a New England defense that just allowed Josh Allen to throw for 265 yards with three touchdowns; two through the air & one on the ground.
Running Backs
Raheem Mostert (Start, RB1), Salvon Ahmed (Sit), Jeff Wilson Jr. (Sit)
Despite the down week, Raheem Mostert led the way with nine carries compared to Salvon Ahmed’s two against the Bills. Mostert only had 45 scoreless yards with his touches, and like Tua, he’ll hope to bounce back to the steady success he’s had thus far this season.
Jeff Wilson Jr. made his season debut last week, but only had one target, which he caught for four yards. Miami is still working on filling the De’Von Achane void, and will need to do so until potentially only Week 11.
The Patriots are allowing an average of 16.14 fantasy points per game to opposing RBs, according to CBS Sports.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Tyreek Hill (Start, WR1), Jaylen Waddle (Start, WR2), Durham Smythe (Sit)
Even in a down week for his QB, Tyreek Hill managed to get his without any issues. He caught 11 of 15 targets for 88 yards – go PPR! – and a touchdown. It’s been hard to slow him down, and New England will be the next to try and do so; their unit has allowed the 19th most fantasy points to WRs this season.
Jaylen Waddle, who had some moments of injuries against the Eagles, still managed to catch all six of his targets for 63 scoreless yards. You’ll want to monitor his health this week in practice, but he should be suiting up.
The TE position in Miami is basically non-existent, as Durham Smythe is a name to ignore.
I can’t anymore with these intrusive ads. Very poor placement.