Patriots @ Dolphins
Final Score: Dolphins 34, Patriots 15
Writer: Darian Hudock (@DarianQB_List)
Domination. That is the word used to describe Miami’s performance on Sunday when they easily dealt with their struggling division rival, the Patriots. Miami was in control from the start, racking up a 24-0 lead before halftime. Two things were prevalent throughout the game: the Patriots’ offensive line CANNOT block anyone, and the Patriots’ defense outside of star CB Christian Gonzalez CANNOT cover or tackle anyone. The Dolphins attempted to bench their starters, but two quick scores from the Pats quickly drove them back onto the field until the very end. Ultimately, the game was never within reach for New England as Miami delivered the dominant win needed leading up to the playoffs.
Three Up
- Jaylen Waddle – Dominant in all areas of the field, consistently creating separation and completing tough catches.
- Jonnu Smith – Continues to earn a respectable portion of Miami’s targets, including in the red zone.
- Tua Tagovailoa – A terrific showing, slowly picked apart a defunct defense.
Three Down
- Tyreek Hill – Simply not performing to the level of his offseason ADP, struggled against the Patriots’ top corner.
- Rhamondre Stevenson – Unable to create anything on the ground and failed to record a reception.
- Kashon Boutte – Drop in target rate from past few weeks, unable to create space while the team was desperate for production.
New England Patriots
Quarterback
Drake Maye: 22/37, 222 Yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 5 Rushes, 26 Yards
Sunday’s game against Miami was one of the worst completed games of Maye’s young career, yet the rookie still showed promise and talent throughout the day. Miami’s defense put Maye under constant pressure, eventually creating his one turnover in the game on an errant pass over the middle. The pressure forced Maye to miss a few open throws that would’ve made his day look a little better. Despite the mediocre play, Maye’s arm talent and scrambling ability are obvious when you watch him play. As long as the Patriots’ offensive line is this inept, expect Maye to continue to struggle to play hero-ball.
Running Back
Rhamondre Stevenson: 8 Rushes, 13 Yards, 2 Targets, 0 Receptions
It was a disappointing day for Stevenson, along with the rest of the Patriots’ team. Miami blitzed heavily throughout the game, and Rhamondre could not reach the line of scrimmage before contact on seemingly every touch. His two targets also fell incomplete, leading to a terribly disappointing performance.
Antonio Gibson: 6 Rushes, 31 Yards, 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 12 Yards
Gibson was the more productive of the New England backs, but that didn’t translate into much in the box score. Gibson used his speed and quick feet to work the outside areas in the run game, and his time as a WR in college was seen on his lone target, forcing missed tackles and picking up the first down. Miami has been a bad matchup for opponents all year, Gibson may be able to produce more in better matchups down the line.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Demario Douglas: 7 Targets, 5 Receptions, 62 Yards
Pop Douglas was and remains to be the lone wideout making plays for the depleted Patriots’ offense. In Sunday’s game, the team worked hard to get him the ball, consistently providing screens and short passes to showcase his exceptional playmaking skills. QB Drake Maye also missed Douglas on a crucial 3rd-and-long that should have been a 20+ yard completion. As the Maye/Douglas connection develops, Douglas could provide usable fantasy performances in the right matchups.
Hunter Henry: 8 Targets, 5 Receptions, 44 Yards
With the state of the tight end position, Henry is becoming a weekly starter due to his consistent target share in the Patriots’ offense. Henry has become a bit of a security blanket for Drake Maye and is constantly looked for in key offensive moments. It didn’t amount to much against Miami on Sunday, but Henry’s usage in the offense should keep him in fantasy consideration moving forward.
Kendrick Bourne: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 30 Yards
It was a tough day for the Patriots in general, including Bourne. The veteran wideout was unable to do much of anything throughout the game outside of two catches on a late-game drive where most of Miami’s starters were off the field. Bourne is, at best, the 3rd option in the passing game, and on a team like the Patriots, that doesn’t amount to much.
Austin Hooper: 4 Targets, 4 Receptions, 59 Yards, 1 TD
Hooper has been slowly emerging as one of the more reliable downfield targets for the Patriots, with a 20+ yard reception in multiple recent games. His use is limited due to frequent blocking assignments, but you could be forced to consider Hooper in times of need in deeper leagues.
Miami Dolphins
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa: 29/40, 317 Yards, 4 TD, 3 Rushes, -2 Yards
A masterclass performance from Tua. Throughout the game, he delivered strikes all over the field, feasting downfield with Jaylen Waddle and in the short areas with De’Von Achane and Jonnu Smith. The Patriots’ defense was no match for his quick decision-making and laser accuracy. He was lethal when they tried to blitz him, getting the ball out of his hands fast and allowing his playmakers to go to work. If Tua continues to play like this, he will be a weekly starter in most fantasy leagues.
Running Back
De’Von Achane: 10 Rushes, 32 Yards, 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 24 Yards, 2 TD
Another week, another great fantasy performance from Achane. Over the previous weeks, Achane’s role had grown into that of a workhorse, and that continued against the Patriots, with the running back ceding almost no work to his contemporaries. Achane continues to impress as a pass catcher, turning two short receptions into touchdowns. Always a threat to score anytime he touches the ball, the impressive opportunity Achane commands in the offense makes for a terrific fantasy asset.
Raheem Mostert: 2 Rushes, 5 Yards, 1 Target, 1 Reception, -2 Yards
There’s not much to write about here; this is De’Von Achane’s backfield, and Mostert is a clear backup. Limited to seeing the field only when the starter needs a breather, Mostert should ride the bench as a strong handcuff instead of seeing fantasy lineups as a starter.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Tyreek Hill: 6 Targets, 5 Receptions, 46 Yards
It’s been a down year for Tyreek Hill between Tua’s injury and a new offensive approach that spreads the ball at an increased rate from what we’ve seen in the past. A tough matchup against Patriots’ top corner Christian Gonzalez also contributed to the tough fantasy performance. Despite the struggles, Tyreek remains one of the most dangerous players in the league and is a threat to score anytime, anyplace.
Jaylen Waddle: 9 Targets, 8 Receptions, 144 Yards, 1 TD
This is the breakout game fantasy managers and fans have been waiting for from Waddle. With Tyreek Hill blanketed by Gonzo, Waddle was free to expose the lack of talent in the remainder of the Patriots’ secondary. Marcus & Jonathan Jones were unable to guard Waddle in any area of the field. His speed blew past them, his route running left them in the dust, and his strong hands prevented them from forcing drops on contested catches. It was nice to see Waddle go out and dominate a week, and fantasy managers will hope he can continue this performance in the coming weeks.
Jonnu Smith: 11 Targets, 9 Receptions, 89 Yards, 1 TD, 1 Rush, 0 Yards
Much like Hunter Henry on the other side of the field, Smith is slowly supplanting himself as a weekly fantasy starter at the tight end position. Jonnu is earning targets at an insane rate and even garnered himself a rush attempt on the goal line. Jonnu has proven very capable after the catch and showcased that exact ability on his touchdown Sunday, powering through two defenders for the score. Any player earning over 25% target share, especially in an explosive offense like Miami’s, deserves to be on fantasy rosters.