Week 15 of the NFL season features an exciting AFC East showdown with major playoff implications this week as the Miami Dolphins (7-6) travel to New England to take on the 10-3 Patriots.
Quarterback Tom Brady has had an excellent 2014, firmly entering himself in the MVP conversation. The veteran’s +23.7 Passing grade ranks him third at his position and has only thrown seven interceptions in 518 drop-backs. Brady is also sixth among quarterbacks with a 100.2 QB Rating and has a strong 107.6 rating on play action plays. Brady’s lowest overall grade in a home game this season was +2.1 (Week 3 against the Raiders), so the Patriot signal-caller will be looking to continue his strong play.
Miami’s defense has been the strength of the team this year, and their secondary will be looking to slow down Brady & Co. Cornerback Brent Grimes has a position-leading five interceptions in 2014, and has allowed opposing quarterbacks to accumulate a 63.6 rating when throwing into his coverage (eighth-best at his position). Look for linebacker Jelani Jenkins to try and eliminate some of Brady’s comfortable short-yardage routes. Jenkins ranks second among 4-3 outside linebackers with 11.2 Coverage Snaps per Reception. If the Dolphins have a strong game in coverage, their dangerous pass rush might be able to disrupt Brady and throw him off his rhythm.
Here are three more notable numbers for each side:
Miami Dolphins
Cameron Wake – is fourth among 4-3 defensive ends with an 11.8 Pass Rush Productivity.
Jarvis Landry – the rookie has a +3.9 overall grade over his past four games, and leads all receivers with a 79.7 Catch Rate out of the slot.
Earl Mitchell – ranks inside the Top 10 defensive tackles in run defense stops (19) and Run Stop Percentage (8.4%).
New England Patriots
Darrelle Revis – second among cornerbacks this season with 15.4 Coverage Snaps per Reception and a +14.0 Coverage grade.
Rob Gronkowski – leads all tight ends with 997 receiving yards and 2.66 Yards per Route Run in 2014.
Dont’a Hightower – the inside linebacker has earned the eighth-best Yards per Coverage Snap (0.66) and the top tackling efficiency grade (22.3) at his position.
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