In The Red Zone

This Week

New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins

The New England Patriots visit the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Patriots Dolphins
2013 Record 13-5 2013 Record 8-8
Road Record 4-5 Home Record 4-4
AFC East 4-2 AFC East 2-4
AFC Conf 10-4 AFC Conf 7-5

Walt Anderson is the referee for the game

The Line/Prediction

As of Thursday the line on the game from Sports Betting via Yahoo Sports has the game as Patriots MINUS 5. The over under is 47.

My Prediction is Patriots 28, Dolphins, 24. Take the points (Dolphins) and take the over.

In 2013 including the post season I was 6-12 vs. the spread and 9 of 18 on the over/under.

Tickets

Tickets to the game, if available, can be purchased through Ticketmaster. You can check the availability here.

Getting To The Game

If you’re lucky enough to be going to the game in Miami make sure you check out the links.

Here is the up to date weather forecast for the game from weather.com.

Click for all the game day information including stadium directions, parking and stadium information, parking map and a Sun Life Stadium seating chart.

Tailgating

Here’s a bunch of different tailgating recipes from Tailgating.com. There’s something there for everyone and every type of meal or snack. I’ve tried some of the recipes and they’re very good.

And with tailgating many people enjoy some adult beverages. With that in mind check out Drink Nation for how to make all sorts of great drinks. You can look things up by name, ingredient(s) or theme.

Whether it’s at the game, a bar or a friend’s house moderation is always the key to a great time. Please don’t drink and drive and designate a sober driver. Remember drive sober or get pulled over.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Television

CBS in televising the game regionally and Greg Gumbel will do play by play while Trent Green will provide the game analysis and Evan Washburn will work the sidelines. You can look here for your local affiliate.

See if you’re getting the game courtesy of J.P. Kirby at the506.com.

The DirecTV designation is Channel 711.

Here are all the rules on NFL TV broadcasts including explaining the blackout rules; flex scheduling and commercial breaks.

Radio

The Patriots Radio Network broadcasts the game from flagship station WBZ-FM, 98.5 the Sports Hub in Boston. Bob Socci handles the play-by-play and former Patriots QB Scott Zolak will do game analysis. It all starts with Gary Tanguay and Andy Gresh with the pregame show at 10 a.m. on the network. The post game starts after the final gun and continues for three hours along the network.

The Patriots Radio Network call is available on Sirius Channel 91 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 818.

The Dolphins Radio Network has former Dolphins WR Jimmy Cefalo calling play-by-play and former Dolphins TE Joe Rose and Hall of Famer Bob Griese providing the color with Kim Bokamper on the sidelines via their flagship stations WINZ and WBGG-FM.

Their call is available on Sirius Channel 136, XM Channel 230 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 816.

ESPN Radio will carry the game nationally Mark Kestescher has the play by play, Louis Riddick does the analysis and Ian Fitzsimmons works the sidelines.

Their call is available on Sirius Channel 83 and XM Channel 83.

Patriots All Access

Patriots All-Access features behind the scenes looks, interviews and breakdowns with head coach Bill Belichick and in depth features on the team. It’s hosted by Steve Burton of WBZ-TV (Boston) and airs weekly in most New England television markets.

  • Boston MA on TV 38 Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.
  • Providence RI on WNAC Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.
  • Manchester NH on WMUR Saturday at midnight
  • Portland ME on WMTW Saturday at 5 a.m.
  • Hartford CT on WCTX Saturday at 5 p.m.
  • Springfield MA on WFXQ Saturday at 7 p.m.
  • Bangor ME on WVII Sunday at 11 a.m.

You can also watch it anytime on the teams website in the media section.

Last Week

This is the season opener for 2014. It is the first of two consecutive road games for the Patriots who travel to Minnesota next week.

The Patriots finished the preseason 2-2, while the Dolphins were 3-1.

History

  • This is the 98th meeting between the teams including playoffs.
  • The Dolphins lead the series 51-46 including playoffs.
  • The Patriots have the edge in post season meetings, 2-1.
  • The teams split the 2013 series. New England won at Gillette, 27-17 in Week 8 and Miami rebounded to win at Sun Life in Week 15, 24-20.
  • The Patriots have won 9 of the last 12 games between the teams.
  • The Patriots are 15-34 vs. the Dolphins on the road including playoffs.

Patriots Team Notes

Here is the Patriots roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.

2014 Patriots Schedule/Results

The Patriots overall franchise record is 438-373-9. They have won three Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) in seven appearances. Overall they are 25-18 in the post season.

They last appeared in the playoffs in 2013 when they beat Indianapolis in the AFC Divisional Round 43-22 and lost at Denver 26-16 in the AFC Championship Game.

It was the 3rd consecutive AFC Championship game appearance for the franchise and 10th overall. They are 7-3 in those AFC title games.

The Patriots were 12-4 (1-1 in playoffs) in 2013 and are the defending five-time AFC East Champions. They have won the division 11 times and the conference 5 times since 2000.

New England is the only NFL team to finish .500 or better in each of the last 13 seasons (2001-2013).

They have 11 consecutive seasons with at least 10 wins.

They are the first team in the free agency era (1993) to win more than half their games in a 13-season span.

New England is 30-24 in Week 1 games in franchise history. They are 11-12 in week 1 games on the road.

They have won their last 4 Week 1 games on the road dating back to 2007.

Patriots are seeking their 11th consecutive opening day win. Only Dallas (17, 1965-81), Miami (11, 1992-2002) and Detroit (10, 1930-39) have had at least 10 consecutive opening day wins.

They are 11-3 under Bill Belichick in Week 1.

This is the fourth consecutive year New England has opened on the road.

New England is 23-8 in September since 2004 the best record in the NFL.

Since 2003 the Patriots have the NFL’s best record at 138-38.

New England is 65-23 vs. the AFC East since 2000 in the regular season.

Patriots are 11-16 at Sun Life Stadium.

New England had their longest win streak vs. Miami (7) snapped last season in Week 15 when they lost at Sun Life Stadium 24-20.

The Patriots have swept the Dolphins 9 times.

New England finished 3rd in scoring with 444 points (27.8 PPG) and 10th in points allowed with 338 (21.1 PPG)

This is the 21st season of Patriots ownership by the Kraft family. Since Robert Kraft bought the team in 1994 they:

  • Have the most Super Bowl wins, 3.
  • Have the most regular season wins, 217.
  • Have the most wins including playoffs, 238.
  • Have the most conference titles, 6.
  • Have the most division titles, 13.
  • Have the most playoff wins, 21
  • Have played the most playoff games, 33.
  • Are tied for the most playoff seasons, 15.
  • The fewest head coaches within the division, 3.
  • Have drafted the most Pro Bowl players, 20.

From 1960 to 1993 the New England/Boston Patriots won a total of 225 games.

Patriots Staff Notes

This is the link to head coach Bill Belichick’s Wednesday press conference on the Dolphins.

Bill Belichick is 18-12 vs. the Dolphins in his career. He is 18-10 against them as the head coach in New England.

Overall in his NFL career Belichick is 198-105 in his 19th NFL season as a head coach. He is 163-61 with New England and 36-44 with Cleveland. He is 19-9 in the playoffs, 18-8 as head coach of the Patriots in the post season. When you combine his regular season and post season records he is 218-114.

Belichick’s 218 wins are good for 5th all-time. Curly Lambeau is 4th with 229 wins.

He has won 5 conference titles; he needs one more to tied Don Shula’s record of 6.

He is the first head coach to have had 4 teams that scored at least 500 points in a season.

Belichick is one of five head coaches in NFL history whose father (Steve Belichick) played in the league. The others are former Kansas City head coach Todd Haley (Dick Haley), former San Francisco head coach Mike Nolan (Dick Nolan), former Cincinnati head coach David Shula (Don Shula) and former NY Jets head coach Joe Walton (Frank Walton).

Belichick is one of just four coaches to win three Super Bowls, joining Chuck Noll (4), Joe Gibbs (3) and Bill Walsh (3). Those men are all in the Hall of Fame.

He is the only coach in NFL history to win three championship titles in four seasons.

No coach either as the head coach or an assistant has appeared in more Super Bowls than Belichick who has been to 8 (five as a head coach).

He is the only coach in NFL history to have led his team to 10+ wins in 11 consecutive seasons.

He has been NFL Coach of the Year three times he and Chuck Knox are the only three time winners, while Don Shula won four times.

Only one of three coaches in NFL history with 100 more wins than loses joining Don Shula and George Halas.

Special Teams Coach Scott O’Brien spent two seasons (2005-06) with the Dolphins as coordinator of football operations/assistant to the head coach.

Patriots tight ends coach Brian Daboll was the Dolphins offensive coordinator in 2011.

Patriots new offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo coached the Dolphins’ offensive line from 2009-11.

Patriots Possible Starters

Offense:

  • LT: Solder
  • LG: Connolly
  • C: Wendell
  • RG: Cannon
  • RT: Vollmer
  • TE: Gronkowski
  • WR: Amendola
  • WR: Edelman
  • WR: Thompkins
  • QB: Brady
  • RB: Ridley

Defense:

  • DE: Ninkovich
  • DT: Wilfork
  • DT: Vellano
  • DE: Cha. Jones
  • LB: Collins
  • LB: Mayo
  • LB: Hightower
  • LCB: Revis
  • RCB: Dennard
  • S: Harmon
  • S: McCourty

Patriots Players Notes

Tom Brady Notes:

  • This is his 15th NFL season he is 17-7 vs. the Dolphins in his career. He is 64-30 on the road in the regular season.
  • He is 6-6 vs. the Dolphins in Miami.
  • Overall he is 148-43 as a starting QB and is 18-8 in the playoffs for an overall record of 166-51. He is an 8 time Pro Bowl QB; 3 time All-Pro selection; two time NFL MVP and has won 3 Super Bowls while twice being named the games MVP. He is also listed as the 21st Greatest Player in the History of the NFL according to the NFL Network.
  • He now has 41 wins in his career (34 in the regular season and 7 in the playoffs) in which the team was trailing or tied in the fourth quarter. He had 5 comeback wins in 2013.
  • The 5 comeback wins in 2013 tie his career best set in 2003.
  • He did not have a multiple INT game in 2013.
  • 359 TD passes in his career makes him 5th in NFL history 3 TD passes behind New Orleans QB Drew Brees.
  • 148 career wins tie him with John Elway for 3rd all-time.
  • He surpassed 4,000 passing yards in 2013 Week 15 at Miami it was his 6th time having 4,000 passing yards in a season.
  • He has thrown for 2 or more TD’s in 115 games; the team’s record is 98-17.
  • Is only 5th NFL QB to have achieved 140 regular season wins joining Peyton Manning, John Elway, Dan Marino and Brett Favre.
  • He is tied with Drew Brees for most 4 TD 0 INT games in his career with 15.
  • He is 11-1 on opening day it is the best record among QB’s in the Super Bowl era.

Rob Gronkowski notes:

  • Has caught a pass in 50 consecutive games it’s the 4th longest streak all-time for a tight end.
  • Needs 10 points to move into Top 10 in franchise history.
  • Is 7th in team history with 43 touchdowns.

Danny Amendola notes:

  • Finished season with 54 catches for 633 yards and 2 TD’s.
  • Set career high for yards per catch (11.7) and longest catch (57-yards).
  • Ha6 3 100-yard games as a Patriot in 2013 at Miami Week 15, vs. Pittsburgh in Week 9 and in Week 1 at Buffalo.
  • Has missed 4 games in 2013 due to injuries (groin, 3 and concussion, 1).

Julian Edelman notes:

  • Had a 43-yard punt return vs. Pittsburgh Week 9 it was the 10th punt return of 30 yards or more in his career. That ranks third in team history.
  • Had his first 100-catch, 1000-yard season in his career and just the third Patriot behind Troy Brown and Wes Welker.
  • His previous career high was 37 receptions for 357 yards in 2009.
  • Had 4 of his 5 career 100-yard games in 2013, at Miami Week 15, at Houston Week 13, Week 12 vs. Denver and Week 4 at Atlanta.
  • Set career high with 13 catches and 139-yards at Miami Week 15.
  • Lead the team with 105 catches for 1,056 yards. He also had 6 TD catches. He had just 21 catches in 2012.
  • He was 5th in NFL in catches for 2013.
  • Had 9 games with 7 or more catches in 2013.

Stevan Ridley notes:

  • Had his 4th 2-TD game of his career against Pittsburgh in Week 9.
  • Second season in a row with 4 fumbles
  • Leads the team with 773 rushing yards in 14 games
  • Has 14 runs of 20 or more yards in his career most for franchise since 2000.

Shane Vereen notes:

  • Set franchise record with receptions (12) and receiving yards (153) by a running back in a single-game Week 14 vs. Cleveland.
  • Became just fourth NFL running back to post 150 receiving yards in a single-game in the last 10 seasons.
  • Finished with 47 catches for 417 yards and 3 TD’s and 205 yards rushing with 1 TD.

Stephen Gostkowski notes:

  • Has not missed an extra point since Week 17 2006 at Tennessee in his rookie season. He has made 360 consecutive extra points. He is 399 for 400 in his career for 99.8%.
  • The 360 XPA converted in a row it is fourth longest streak in NFL history.
  • Lead NFL in scoring with 158 points.
  • Set franchise record for points in a season and field goals made (38) tied franchise record for field goal attempts (41).
  • He is the most accurate kicker by percentage in team history at 86.3% (208 0f 241).
  • Has scored at least 1 point in 107 consecutive games a franchise record.
  • He is 3rd in team history in points with 1,023 trailing only Gino Cappelletti (1,130) and Adam Vinatieri (1,158).
  • Has team record of 12 career field goals of 50+ yards.
  • Has made 16 field goals of 40 or more yards in 2013, a franchise record.
  • Has three game winning field goals in 2013 Week 1 at Buffalo, Week 12 vs. Denver and Week 13 at Houston he now has 4 regular season game winners in his career.
  • The 54-yard field goal against New Orleans set a new career long.

Vince Wilfork notes:

  • Played only 4 games in 2013 after suffering a torn Achilles.
  • Prior to 2013 had played in all 16 games in 5 of the previous 6 seasons.
  • Has been a team captain since 2008.
  • Has been named to 5 Pro Bowls and selected as an All-Pro 3 times in his career.
  • 2010 Ron Burton Community Service Award winner
  • He is the fourth Patriots lineman to have two career INT’s.
  • Has 7 fumbles recoveries since 2010 the second most in the NFL in that span behind teammate Rob Ninkovich.

Darrelle Revis notes:

  • Played six seasons with the Jets and one with the Buccaneers before signing with the Patriots.
  • Was a first round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft (14th overall).
  • Has 21 career INT’s and is one of the top shutdown corners in the NFL.
  • 10 of his 21 INT’s have come in the 4th quarter, 5 in the last two minutes of games within 7 points.
  • 2009 AFC Defensive Player of the Year
  • Named to 5 Pro Bowls and selected an All Pro 3 times in his career.
  • Since 2007 has the most passes defensed in the NFL with 109 including a record 31 in 2009.

Rob Ninkovich notes:

  • In 5 seasons with New England has only missed one game.
  • Has 12 fumble recoveries since 2010 the most in the NFL in that span.
  • Led the team with 2 fumble recoveries.
  • Tied for 2nd on team in sacks with 8 and QB hits with 18.
  • Had back to back 8 sack seasons.
  • Had sacks in three consecutive games vs. Miami, vs. Pittsburgh and at Carolina.

Chris Jones notes:

  • Rookie had his first NFL sack Week 5 at Cincinnati.
  • Made first NFL start Week 6 vs. New Orleans and had 3 tackles.
  • Had 56 tackles, 6 sacks and 8 QB hits as a rookie.
  • Was second in NFL for sacks by a rookie.
  • Has three games with multiple sacks in 2013.

Chandler Jones notes:

  • Scored his first NFL TD Week 16 at Baltimore on a fumble recovery.
  • Led the team in sacks with 11.5 and QB hits with 21.
  • Was 7th in sacks in NFL and had 4th highest total in franchise history.
  • First player since Chris Slade to start career with two 5+ sack seasons.
  • Blocked his first NFL field goal attempt Week 8 vs. Miami.

Logan Ryan notes:

  • Had his first NFL 2 INT game week 16 at Baltimore.
  • Led NFL rookies, the team and the AFC with 5 INT’s. Was 3rd overall in NFL.
  • Had his first NFL INT at New York in Week 7 and returned it 79-yards for a touchdown. He was the 11th Patriots player to return his first INT for a TD.
  • Forced a fumble on his first NFL sack Week 8 vs. Miami.

There are only two players on the team who played on at least one of the Super Bowl championship teams, Brady (3) and Wilfork (1).

Former Patriots G Brian Waters announced his retirement on Tuesday. He also played with the Chiefs and the Cowboys.

Roster moves this week:

  • Finalized 53-man roster and practice squad
  • Placed WR Brian Tyms on the suspended list for 4 games
  • Placed CB Brandon Browner on the suspended list for 4 games
  • Released LB Chris White
  • Released G Chris Barker
  • Traded QB Ryan Mallett to Houston for conditional 7th round pick in 2015
  • Claimed DL Kelcey Quarles off waivers from New York Giants
  • Claimed S Don Jones off waivers from Miami Dolphins
  • Claimed DL Bruce Gaston off waivers from Arizona Cardinals
  • Released S Kannoris Davis from practice squad
  • Released CB Dax Swenson from practice squad
  • Released QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson from practice squad
  • Signed G Chris Barker to practice squad
  • Signed RB Marcus Thigpen to practice squad
  • Signed TE Allen Reisner to practice squad
  • Re-signed LB Chris White
  • Re-signed LS Danny Aiken
  • Re-signed QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson to practice squad
  • Released LS Charley Huglett from practice squad
  • Released DL Kelcey Quarles
  • Released DL Bruce Gaston

Patriots team captains for 2014:

Former Dolphins on the Patriots:

  • DE Rob Ninkovich
  • DB Don Jones

Players with New England roots:

  • none

Players with Florida roots:

Players from New England based colleges and universities:

Players from Florida based colleges and universities:

  • DT Vince Wilfork – University of Miami
  • DT Dominque Easley – University of Florida
  • C/G Bryan Stork – Florida State
  • WR Brian Tyms (Suspended) – Florida A&M

The Patriots have 6 retired numbers:

  • 20 – Gino Cappelletti
  • 40 – Mike Haynes
  • 73 – John Hannah
  • 78 – Bruce Armstrong
  • 79 – Jim Lee Hunt
  • 89 – Bob Dee

Dolphins Team Notes

Here is the Dolphins roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.

2014 Dolphins Schedule/Results

The Dolphins all-time record is 415-317-4 and they are 20-20 in the playoffs with their last playoff appearance coming in 2008. That season the Dolphins lost at home to the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Wild Card Game.

They last played for a conference championship in 1992 when they lost to San Diego in the AFC Title game, 29-10.

They have won two Super Bowl titles (VII, VIII) in five appearances. They last appeared in a Super Bowl in 1984 losing to the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XIX, 38-16. The Dolphins franchise started in 1966 in the AFL.

They finished 2nd in the AFC East last season four games behind the Patriots.

The Dolphins first four games all vs. the AFC are split even among home and road and they have two division games in the first four before they have their bye in Week 5.

Hall of Fame QB Dan Marino and DE Jason Taylor are the alumni captains and will be part of the pregame ceremonies.

Dolphins looking for back-to-back season opening wins for first time since 2001-02.

With a win would have back-to-back wins over New England for first time since they won in 2000 (Wk 17) and 2001 (Wk 4).

Dolphins are 25-22-1 in Week 1 games in their history. They are 9-8 at home.

Miami is 33-47 vs. the AFC East in the regular season since 2001.

This is the 8th time the Dolphins have opened against the Patriots they are 3-4.

Miami has lost 11 of the last 14 meetings with New England.

The Dolphins have swept the Patriots 13 times in the series the last time was in 2000.

Miami’s longest win streak against New England is 9 games from 1989 to 1993.

They have not won via a shutout since they beat Seattle 23-0 in September 2000.

Miami finished 26th in points scored with 317 (19.8 PPG) and 8th in points allowed with 335 (20.9 PPG).

Dolphins Staff Notes

Hear what Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin had to say to the New England media about the match up.

He is the 10th head coach in Dolphins team history.

Miami head coach Joe Philbin is in his 3rd season as a NFL head coach and he has a 15-17 record since taking over.

He is 1-3 against New England in his career.

Philbin, a Springfield MA native, is a former high school player and coach at Longmeadow (MA) High School. He also coached at Northeastern and Harvard as the offensive coordinator.

Miami has a new general manager in Dennis Hickey. He spent 18 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He replaces Jeff Ireland.

Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino has also returned to the team a special advisor after leaving CBS television.

Defensive Coordinator Kevin Coyle graduated from the University of Massachusetts and spent nine years at The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator.

Wide Receivers Coach Ken O’Keefe is from Milford CT and previously coached at the University of New Haven.

Dolphins linebackers coach Mark Duffner served as the College of Holy Cross’ defensive coordinator from 1981-86 before being promoted to head coach from 1986-91.

Dolphins assistant offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr. played collegiately for his father at Boston College from 1981-85. Bicknell Jr. served as a graduate assistant for Boston College before moving on to New Hampshire, where he coached the defensive (1987-92) and offensive (1993-96) lines. He returned to Boston College to become the Eagles’ offensive line coach in 2007.

Dolphins assistant quarterbacks coach Ben Johnson was a graduate assistant (2009-10) and tight ends coach (2011) at Boston College.

Dolphins secondary coach Lou Anarumo served as assistant head coach at Harvard from 1995-2000.

Dolphins defensive assistant Jeff Burris spent the 2012 season as the University of Massachusetts’ cornerbacks coach.

Dolphins assistant linebackers coach David Corrao served as tight ends coach at Northeastern in 2004.

Dolphins Possible Starters

Offense:

  • LT: Albert
  • LG: Colledge
  • C: Satele
  • RG: Smith
  • RT: James
  • TE: Clay
  • WR: Hartline
  • WR: Wallace
  • WR: Gibson
  • QB: Tannehill
  • RB: Miller

Defense:

  • DE: Wake
  • DT: Starks
  • DT: Odrick
  • DE: Vernon
  • LB: Wheeler
  • LB: Misi
  • LB: Ellerbe
  • LCB: Grimes
  • RCB: Finnegan
  • S: Delmas
  • S: Wilson

Dolphins Players Notes

Ryan Tannehill notes:

  • Dolphins starting QB was their first round pick out of Texas A&M in the 2012 NFL Draft.
  • Tannehill has a 15-17 record as he starts his 3rd NFL season.
  • He threw 20+ TD passes in 2013 joining other Dolphin QB’s with 20+ TD seasons Dan Marino (13 times); Bob Griese (2) and Jay Fielder (1).
  • His wife, Lauren, is H-O-T, hot.
  • Has 9 300-yard passing games in his career; Marino had 63 300-yard games.
  • He (2) and Marino (13) are only Dolphin QB’s to have multiple 3,000-yard seasons.
  • Had 4 4th quarter comebacks and 3 game winning drives in 2013.
  • Has 7,207 career passing yards fifth most for a QB in NFL history in first two seasons.

Mike Wallace notes:

  • Second year with Miami after four seasons in Pittsburgh.
  • Had 73 catches for 930 yards and 5 TD’s in 2013.
  • Has 13 career games with at least 7 catches.
  • Has 17 career 100-yard receiving games.
  • Needs 28 receiving yards to reach 5,000 in his career.

Brian Hartline notes:

  • Had 76 catches for 1,016 yards and 4 TD’s in 2013.
  • Tied franchise record with back-to-back 1,000 receiving yard seasons.
  • Led the team in catches and reception yards in 2012 and 2013.
  • Needs 41 catches for 300 in his career.
  • Needs 231 receiving yards for 4,000 in his career.

Cameron Wake notes:

  • Has 50.5 career sacks most by an undrafted player in Dolphins history and 11th most in NFL since 1982.
  • Has 11 multi-sack games in his career and 2 this season.
  • Has the 7th most sacks in Miami history.
  • Needs 38 solo tackles for 200 in his career.
  • Has 9 career forced fumbles.

Caleb Sturgis notes:

  • Leads team in scoring and is perfect on extra points (29/29) and 25 for 33 on field goal attempts.
  • Had missed field goals in 7 of his last 9 games including the last 3 games.
  • Only 20 of 28 from 30+ yards, 11 of 17 from 40+ yards and 3 of 7 from 50+ yards.
  • Was a fifth round pick in 2013 draft out of University of Florida

Charles Clay notes:

  • Had career high 7 catches Week 14 at Pittsburgh and 97-yards receiving.
  • Led team in TD’s with 6.
  • Recorded 69 receptions for 759 receiving yards and 6 TD’s in 2013.
  • His receptions and reception yardage totals are the second-highest single-season figures in Dolphins history among the team’s tight ends.
  • His touchdown reception total ranks tied for third among all-time for the Dolphins.

Lamar Miller notes:

  • Led team in rushing with 709 yards on 177 carries and had 2 TD’s
  • His season long run was for 67-yards
  • Had 100-yard game vs. Cincinnati Week 9 had 105-yards on 16 carries.
  • Needs 41 rushing yards for 1,000 yards for his career.

Former Patriots on the Dolphins:

Players with New England roots:

  • TE Arthur Lynch (IR) – Dartmouth MA

Players from New England based colleges and universities:

  • none

The Dolphins do not name team captains. They are appointed on a weekly basis prior to the game.

Miami has 3 retired numbers:

  • 12 – Bob Greise
  • 13 – Dan Marino
  • 39 – Larry Csonka

Next Week

Up next: Minnesota Vikings – NFC North

Location: TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis MN

Date/Time: Sunday September 14 1 p.m.

TV Network: CBS