Breaking down the Dolphins-Patriots matchup.
MIAMI DOLPHINS (5-7) vs. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (10-2)
GAME FACTS
DATE: Monday, Dec. 11
TIME: 8:30 p.m. ET
SITE: Hard Rock Stadium; Miami Gardens, Fla.
TV: ESPN
TV ANNOUNCERS: Sean McDonough, play-by-play; Jon Gruden, color analyst; Lisa Salters, sideline reporter
DOLPHINS RADIO NETWORK: KISS (99.9 FM); WQAM (560 AM); WQBA (1140 AM-Spanish)
RADIO VOICES:English broadcast — Jimmy Cefalo, Bob Griese, Joe Rose, Kim Bokamper; Spanish broadcast — Raul Striker Jr., Eduardo Martell
THE SERIES
SERIES RECORD: Miami leads 53-51 (including playoffs)
AT MIAMI: Dolphins lead 36-15
AT NEW ENGLAND: Patriots lead 35-17
AT TAMPA: Patriots lead 1-0
LAST MEETING: 2017 at New England; Patriots 35, Dolphins 17
HISTORY LESSON: The Dolphins have a 13-4 record against the Patriots in December home games, starting with a 41-32 victory against the then-Boston Patriots in 1968 and most recently with the 24-20 victory in 2013 when safety Michael Thomas clinched the victory with an end zone interception five days after being signed off the San Francisco 49ers practice squad. SERIES TREND: The Dolphins have won three of the last four meetings at Hard Rock Stadium, including a 20-10 victory in the 2015 season finale when the Patriots had a chance to clinch home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
SCOUTING REPORT
NEW ENGLAND'S RECORD: 10-2
LAST GAME: Won 23-3 at Buffalo
OVERVIEW: The Patriots just keep rolling, extending their winning streak to eight last Sunday with their 20-point victory against Buffalo. Not coincidentally, it was the eighth consecutive time the Patriots held their opponents to 17 points or less. Quarterback Tom Brady's remarkable season at the age of 40 continues; he leads the NFL in passer rating at 109.7 on the strength of a 68.5 completion percentage and a 26-to-4 TD-to-interception ratio. Brady will be missing his leading receiver in this game after tight end Rob Gronkowski was suspended for one game for his hit on Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White. Trey Flowers, who had two sacks in the game at Gillette Stadium on Nov. 26, leads the team in that category with six.
KEY NEW FACES: RB Rex Burkhead (Cincinnati), RB Mike Gillislee (Buffalo), CB Stephon Gilmore (Buffalo), LB David Harris (N.Y. Jets), QB Brian Hoyer (San Francisco), TE Dwayne Allen (Indianapolis), WR Brandin Cooks (New Orleans), WR Phillip Dorsett (Indianapolis), LB Jonathan Freeny (Baltimore)
KEY VETERANS GONE: TE Rob Gronkowski (suspended), QB Jimmy Garoppolo, QB Jacoby Brissett, RB LeGarrette Blount, CB Logan Ryan, DE Chris Long, LB Rob Ninkovich, LB Jabaal Sheard, WR Julian Edelman (IR), LB Dont'a Hightower (IR), WR Malcolm Mitchell (IR), LB Shea McClellin (IR)
FINAL INJURY REPORT
DOLPHINS
Out – G Jermon Bushrod (foot), QB Matt Moore (foot), RB Damien Williams (shoulder)
Doubtful — CB Cordrea Tankersley (ankle/shoulder)
Questionable – DT Davon Godchaux (knee), S Michael Thomas (knee)
PATRIOTS
**
Out –T Marcus Cannon (ankle), LB Kyle Van Noy (calf)
Questionable — LB Marquis Flowers (knee), DL Trey Flowers (rib), RB Mike Gillislee (illness), CB Stephon Gilmore (ankle), WR Chris Hogan (shoulder), DB Brandon King (hamstring), RB Dion Lewis (illness), CB Eric Rowe (groin), WR Matthew Slater (hamstring), T LaAdrian Waddle (ankle), DL Deatrich Wise Jr. (foot)
