Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, January 1st, at 1:00 PM EST
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
Betting Odds: MIA +2.5, 42 total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Writer: Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)
Miami Dolphins
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa (OUT), Teddy Bridgewater (Sit)
News broke on Monday that Tua Tagovailoa is in the concussion protocol yet again, and it is quite scary considering the Dolphins can’t pinpoint when in the game against the Packers he may have suffered it. Twitter posts have suggested the below play in the 2nd quarter might’ve been the culprit, but Tagovailoa remained in the game and went on to throw three interceptions in the loss to Green Bay.
Sadly, it happened.
Tua Tagovailoa is in the #concussion protocol after reporting symptoms today, likely from this play in Q2 ⬇️. Missed by team again, despite poor play & 3 INT's after. 3rd concussion of season-no doctor in their right mind can clear him this year. Season over. https://t.co/qbZLlgvk5S pic.twitter.com/NcMb5ZGOf4— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) December 27, 2022
In all reality, his season should be over purely out of safety concerns, but Miami has really mismanaged these instances all season. Assuming Tua is out against New England this week, Teddy Bridgewater is the next QB up. He won’t be a recommended streaming replacement in your fantasy finals.
Running Backs
Raheem Mostert (Sit), Jeff Wilson Jr. (Sit)
The Patriots run defense has been one of the best in the league this season, as they’ve only allowed the second most fantasy points to running backs. Jeff Wilson Jr. was the back who produced last week against Green Bay, finding the end zone despite only having nine carries in the game for 37 yards. Raheem Mostert had one less carry but totaled 45 scoreless yards. Both options, if you can afford to avoid them, should be left on your bench this week.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Tyreek Hill (Start, WR1), Jaylen Waddle (Start, WR2), Mike Gesicki (Sit)
It’s a shame to be in the finals and have to worry about Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who are having a historic duo-season for the Dolphins. They each take a bit of a hit if Tua isn’t under center, but you’ll still start them without real hesitation. Per Statmuse, Hill has 31 catches for 417 yards in 4 games with Bridgewater this season, and Waddle has 15 catches for 293 yards in that same span. TE Mike Gesicki has been a non-factor this season and remains on the wire as he has all year.
New England Patriots
Quarterback
Mac Jones (Sit)
Mac Jones put in his best performance last week (since Week 12) in the loss to the Bengals, but it wasn’t enough to amount to a come-from-behind win. Jones didn’t turn the ball over and completed 21 of 33 attempts for 240 yards and two touchdowns. Even so, Jones has no fantasy relevancy in single-QB formats, which has been the case all season.
Running Backs
Rhamondre Stevenson (Start, RB2), Damien Harris (Sit)
If you were fortunate enough to make it to the finals off of Rhamondre Stevenson’s dud Week 16, consider yourself lucky. Stevenson turned 13 carries into just 30 scoreless yards against the Bengals, though he should be able to bounce back against Miami. Could this be the week that Damien Harris returns? We shall see, but you won’t be throwing him into your lineup.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Jakobi Meyers (Start, FLEX), Kendrick Bourne (Sit), Hunter Henry (Sit), Jonnu Smith (Sit)
Jakobi Meyers caught six of seven targets for 83 yards and a touchdown last week, which was good for 20.3 PPR points. Kendrick Bourne himself had nine targets against Cincinnati, tallying up six receptions for 100 yards and a score of his own. If you were to start any Patriots receiver against the Dolphins, lean on Meyers, who has been the team’s de facto WR1 all year. As of Tuesday, Hunter Henry is day-to-day with a knee injury but appears to be on track to suit up on Sunday. The reality is, even if he is active, he can’t be trusted as a streaming option. And if he were to miss, Jonnu Smith isn’t a replacement option either.