The Miami Dolphins travel to Foxborough to close out the 2025 season as they take on the New England Patriots, who are looking to become the AFC No. 1 seed heading into the postseason.
Miami was on the doorstep of a victory over the Patriots back in Week 2. The Dolphins took a fourth-quarter lead on a 74-yard punt return touchdown from wide receiver Malik Washington, but lost the lead on the ensuing kickoff, which was returned for a touchdown by running back Antonio Gibson.
The Dolphins took their final possession into scoring territory but would turn the ball over on downs as the Patriots secured the 33-27 win. New England won 12 of the next 14 games, securing their first AFC East title in five years.
The Patriots are in play for 14 wins and the AFC's top seed thanks in large part to the play of second-year quarterback and NFL MVP candidate Drake Maye. He has thrown 30 touchdown passes this season and just eight interceptions. It's his first year under new Patriots Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels, who is in his third stint with the team.
"They do the simple things the best for a long time, for the whole game," Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb said. "They're going to line up in the same formations, the same plays and it's about how you stop it. They're so fundamentally sound that their guys don't get tired of doing the right thing over and over again, so it's just going to be about strain. It's going to be about being in the right spots, communicating with each other and making sure were all on one accord."
With two sacks in the win over the Buccaneers last week, including the game-sealing strip-sack of quarterback Baker Mayfield, Chubb was awarded with the AFC Defensive Player of the Week. Chubb is 1.5 sacks away from the third double-digit sack season of his career, and his first in Miami. To get there, Chubb will likely need to beat New England's backup left tackle Verderian Lowe.
Lowe took over for rookie left tackle Will Campbell, who has missed the last month with a knee injury. Injuries could factor in for either side in this game. Among Dolphins players listed on the injury report this week are safety Minkah Fitzaptrick, linebacker Jordyn Brooks, running back De'Von Achane, linebacker Chop Robinson and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
The Patriots could be without the entire left side of their line as rookie left guard Jared Wilson missed practice time this week. Among players included on the Patriots injury report this week: linebackers Robert Spilane and Harold Landry, wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, tight end Hunter Henry and defensive tackles Christian Barmore and Kyhiris Tonga (defensive tackle Milton Williams is on injured reserve).
That's the nature of the NFL in January. Teams with a gritty mindset typically find their way to the winner's circle, an approach the Dolphins have embraced.
"The best way to learn is hands-on and if you can grow your game while still being corrected," Head Coach Mike McDaniel said. "We say this team has a little bit of an edge to it or is thicker-skinned or however you want to cut it, they don't blink when some teams would. I think those snaps incurring on a team like that, you have the potential of solidifying that type of culture over time when guys are introduced into the NFL in a nature such as that.
Make sure to check out the Injury Report and the team's official social media accounts 90 minutes before kickoff to see who is active for the game.
Watch the game live on Sunday, January 4 at 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX, and listen on the Dolphins Radio Network and view the Game Center for the latest coverage.
