How the Patriots defense can shut down the Dolphins - Boston Herald

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How does the Patriots defense stack up against Miami’s offense?

Here are three keys for dominating the Dolphins in Sunday’s game.

1. Stop the run: The Patriots were susceptible to the run at key points during last season. Without Beau Allen (injured reserve) plugging the middle, it’s going to be interesting to see how Bill Belichick is able to mitigate that loss and contain opposing run games. The Dolphins didn’t make a dent last year with their backs. In fact, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was the team’s leading rusher with 243 yards on the season. Overall, the Fins finished last in rushing yards (1,156), as well as yards per carry (3.3 yards).

Understandably, they have an entirely new cast in the backfield, upgrading with Jordan Howard and Matt Breida. Since entering the league in 2016, Howard is third among all backs in rushing yards (3,895) and seventh in rushing touchdowns (30).

The Fins have also attempted to beef up an offensive line that, according to Pro Football Focus grades, was the worst in the league.

Given all the unknowns facing teams, Pats CB Jason McCourty thought focusing on the basics was a good place to start.

“I think when you’re going into Week 1 there’s always that uncertainty. But I think the fundamentals of the game doesn’t change,” said McCourty. “So I think as a defense you always want to stop the run. I think if a team can be two-dimensional and know they can pick it up, run it, pick it up, pass, it makes it a little bit tough as a defense. So you always want to start with the run.”

Translation: Stop the run, and force the old man (37-year-old Fitzpatrick) to beat them.

2. Rookie LBs have to perform: With the departure of a trio of starting linebackers in free agency (Kyle Van Noy and Elandon Roberts are with Miami), and Dont’a Hightower opting out, the Patriots are left with little choice but to have some of their rookies fill big roles. Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings figure to see meaningful snaps against the Dolphins.

Both have drawn praise from the coaching staff. Outside linebackers coach Steve Belichick noted Uche and Jennings were “very different players,” but appreciated their versatility to play multiple roles whether lining up inside or outside, dropping back into coverage, or rushing the quarterback.

“Everything that we ask our linebackers to do, we’ve tried to put on their plate,” Steve Belichick said. “And we’ll see what they can handle.”

Beyond the rookies, third-year linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley has to be competent, at the very least, taking over Hightower’s play-caller duties. Not the easiest job given how well Hightower ran the defense, the front seven in particular. He made sure everyone was in the right place and had the latitude to change a call depending on what he saw. Bentley will also be key.

3. Gilmore rebound: The Fins have a few receivers who can make plays, none better than DeVante Parker. He was a big reason for Miami’s Week 17 upset of the Patriots. He lit up — of all people — Stephon Gilmore, the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year, and the Patriots’ best defender.

While Gilmore held Parker to no catches in the team’s first meeting, the Miami receiver caught 8 passes for 137 yards in the second. That’s a rarity against Gilmore. No doubt he will want to atone for that, if Parker even plays. The Fins wideout has been limited in practice with a hamstring problem. If Parker is a go, Gilmore has to shut him down, limiting Fitzpatrick’s options.

If Parker doesn’t play, Gilmore has to take away Fitzpatrick’s next best option, likely Preston Williams.

“I think they have a lot of great receivers,” Gilmore told reporters in a video conference.” They’ve got a veteran quarterback (Fitzpatrick). They have a good offense. I’m looking forward to covering all those guys.”

Gilmore might have one more thing up his sleeve. He’s familiar with Chan Gailey, who has taken over as offensive coordinator. When Gilmore was in Buffalo, he went up against Gailey’s offense every day. Gailey was the offensive coordinator for the Bills in 2012, Gilmore’s rookie year.

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