The Miami Dolphins (7-6) will head to the Northeast to take on the New England Patriots (10-3) on Dec. 14 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Viewers can watch online the Dolphins vs. Patriots game via live stream - free for subscribers - below.
According to the Associated Press, the Patriots are one win away from another division title, while the Dolphins could miss out on the playoffs yet again with a loss. New England coach Bill Belichick has a strategy to keep the Dolphins at bay.
"We need to talk about how to play offense, defense and special teams against the Dolphins a lot better than we did the last time we played them, which wouldn't take much," Belichick said. "That's what we'll be talking about this week: what to do and how to do it."
The Associated Press reports that New England could win its sixth straight AFC East crown and 12th in 14 seasons. However, in the event that the Patriots lose, the team is still eligible for a playoff spot, but that will depend on losses or ties by at least four other teams according to Associated Press.
According to James Reeve of Rant Sports, Rob Gronkowski has returned to full health, pulling in 10 touchdowns this season. Reeve noted that Gronkowski has caught 10 or more touchdowns over four seasons.
"Playing against a red-hot Tom Brady with a fully healthy Gronkowski is going to cause the Dolphins' secondary many problems and this game could very well turn into a blowout if the Dolphins' pass rush proves ineffective this time around," Reeve wrote.
The Associated Press reported that Brady was 29 of 56 for 249 yards and lost two fumbles in the first meeting with the Dolphins. However, his performance at home has been stellar, throwing for 17 touchdowns and two interceptions while averaging 303.8 yards.
Reeve commented that the Dolphins could provide a big upset against New England, but thought it was unlikely. That's because the Dolphins' roster has been impacted with injuries to Cortland Finnegan, Jamar Taylor and Louis Delmas.
"This unit was a strength for the Dolphins early in the season and now it has become a weakness, with just Brent Grimes and Reshad Jones being legitimate starters," Reeve wrote.
Dolphins coach Joe Philbin has indicated that although they will face challenges against New England, he still has confidence in Miami.
"I have a lot of faith and confidence in these guys," Philbin said. "We've got a huge challenge this week going up to New England. I told them in the locker room, we're going to find out a lot this week."
Although Miami defensive tackle Jared Odrick was seen shouting at Philbin on the sidelines in last week's game, the Dolphins insist that there is no rift within the team.
"Any time you don't play up to the standards we like to uphold, yeah, you're upset," Odrick said. "Everybody is upset."
The Patriots-Dolphins game will air at 1 p.m. ET Sunday on CBS. While subscriptions are required for both options, online viewers can stream the game through NFL Sunday Ticket and watch it on demand through NFL Game Rewind.
