The Patriots have struggled through the years in Miami but this year’s Dolphins team doesn’t appear to be as good as we have seen in recent years.
Today’s game is winnable but the plan has to be about running the football on offense and disrupting the timing of the Miami passing game. If the Patriots can do those three things, they should be in good shape.
Here is this week’s plan on offense and defense.
Offense
1. Get the running game going: Miami gave up 156 yards rushing last week to the Colts. Getting the running game going is important. Whether it is inside zone, outside zone or man-gap runs, the Patriots will be able to run the football against the Dolphins undersized front. Establishing the ground game early and sticking with it is key.
2. More 10 and 11 personnel this week: Miami’s secondary is a mess. Injuries and a lack of talent have been a problem. The Patriots need to go with more 10 and 11 personnel and they need to spread Miami out and generate more match ups in the passing game. Utilizing their receivers more this week will give the Patriots an advantage. Something we cannot say most weeks.
3. 6 and 7 man protection: The Patriots will need to do more this week with six and seven man protection as the Dolphins run exotic pressures and bring pressure from all over the yard. Six man protections with check releases and seven man play action protections should give Drake Maye the time he needs to get the ball out.
4. RPO’s: The Miami secondary is banged and their linebackers tend to be aggressive. The perfect defense to rep and use RPO’s against. The backside glance RPO and gift reads on the backside against soft leverage corners are both ways to attack this defense in conjunction with your regular running and passing game.
5. Perimeter screens: Notice a theme here. Attack the secondary. Perimeter screens are another way to attack this suspect Miami secondary and force them to come up and play the run. Smoke screens, slip screens, bubble screens and play action perimeter screens should all be on the menu this week.
Defense
1. Sim/Zone pressure on Tua: The Patriots need to throw Tua Tagovailoa off rhythm and the best way to do that is through Sim/Zone pressure. Show him one look to one side and blitz from the other. Cloud his reads and make him hold the ball.
2. Safety movement: The Patriots are going to have to rock their safeties down pre-snap and get them involved in run support. Stopping Devon Achene and not giving up big plays will be a priority. Look for the Patriots to play more three safety looks on early downs as well.
3. Play Cover 2 man: I always believe in playing 2 Man against the Dolphins because it is important to be physical with their receivers underneath and have help over the top if they get vertical. Throwing the timing of Miami’s passing game is key today. 2 Man allows the Patriots to do that.
4. Bracket Hill in the slot: I still like the idea of doubling Tyreek Hill, especially in the slot. Do not give him any room to operate. Get physical with him, re-route him and trail him inside, out and over the top. An old cut and come coverage could be a possibility too.
5. Lots of quarters: I would play a lot of Cover 4. It allows you to support the run and protects you from giving up big plays over the top as well. I would blend it backside with a Cover 2 cloud or a 2 trap depending on where Hill lines up in the formation.