Week 15
MIAMI DOLPHINS (7-6) at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (10-3)
GAME FACTS
DATE: Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014
TIME: 1 p.m. ET
SITE: Gillette Stadium
TV: CBS
TV ANNOUNCERS: Ian Eagle, play-by-play; Dan Fouts, color analyst; Jenny Dell, sideline reporter
DOLPHINS RADIO NETWORK: Clear Channel, WBGG (105.9 FM) and WINZ (940 AM) and a network of affiliates throughout Florida; WQBA (1140 AM-Spanish)
RADIO VOICES: English broadcast — Jimmy Cefalo, Bob Griese, Joe Rose, Kim Bokamper; Spanish broadcast — Raul Striker Jr., Roly Martin
THE SERIES
SERIES RECORD: Miami leads 52-46 (including playoffs)
AT MIAMI: Dolphins lead 35-14
AT NEW ENGLAND: Patriots lead 31-17
AT TAMPA: Patriots lead 1-0
LAST MEETING: 2014 at Miami; Dolphins 33, Patriots 20
HISTORY LESSON: It was almost one year ago to the day that the Dolphins recorded one of their most impressive victories of the 2013 season, a 24-20 victory against the Patriots at Sun Life Stadium. Marcus Thigpen scored the game-winning touchdown on a 14-yard reception with 1:15 left and safety Michael Thomas, signed five days earlier, sealed the victory by intercepting Tom Brady in the end zone. Ryan Tannehill had a big performance for the Dolphins, passing for 312 yards and three touchdowns.
SERIES TREND: The Dolphins’ two-game winning streak against New England is for any opponent in the regular season. The Dolphins are going for their season sweep of the Patriots since the 2000 season when they won at New England in the season finale to clinch the AFC East title.
SCOUTING REPORT
PATRIOTS’ RECORD: 10-3
LAST GAME: Won at San Diego, 23-14
OVERVIEW: This is a much different New England team that the Dolphins will face Sunday than the one they saw in the season opener at Sun Life Stadium. After a 2-2 start during which the Patriots were looking for answers on the offensive line and tight end Rob Gronkowski was working his way back into shape, New England started rolling and now finds itself on the brink of its sixth consecutive AFC East title.
KEY NEW FACES: CB Darrelle Revis (Tampa Bay), CB Brandon Browner (Denver), LB Akeem Ayers (Tennessee), WR Brandon LaFell (Carolina), TE Tim Wright (Tampa Bay), LB Darius Fleming (San Francisco), RB Jonas Gray, RB LeGarrette Blount (Pittsburgh), DL Dominique Easley (draft-1st round), QB Jimmy Garoppolo (draft-2nd)
KEY VETERANS GONE: CB Aqib Talib, DE Andre Carter, LB Brandon Spikes, WR Austin Collie, LB Dane Fletcher, DT Tommy Kelly, G Logan Mankins, QB Ryan Mallett, WR Kenbrell Thompkins, LB Jerod Mayo (injured reserve), RB Stevan Ridley (IR), WR Aaron Dobson (IR)
Inactives:
Dolphins: OL Nate Garner, LB Jelani Jenkins, LB Koa Misi, LB Jonathan Freeny, LB Chris McCain, G Billy Turner,RB LaMichael James
Patriots: DE Dominique Easley, CB Alfonzo Dennard, OL Jordan Devey, OL Cameron Fleming, RB James White, LB Chris White, DL Zach Moore