MusketFire: W2W4: New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins in Week 17

The 12-3 New England Patriots face off against the disappointing 5-10 Miami Dolphins on Sunday afternoon to close out the regular season. The Patriots enter the game having long since locked up the AFC East and with a bye during Wild Card Weekend already secured. For the Patriots, if they win against the Dolphins then they lock up the number one seed in the AFC and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

For the Dolphins, the game is a chance to potentially force their hated divisional rivals onto the road in the AFC Championship round (if the Patriots and Broncos get there). The 2013 Dolphins did the same when they knocked off an undermanned Patriots team 24-20 in week 15 as Danny Amendola dropped a game winning touchdown catch with 27 seconds to play. A final fourth down attempt to Austin Collie (yes, that team had a depleted receiving group as well) was intercepted and the Patriots had to go to Denver in January for the AFC Championship Game and lost 26-16.

Having lost three of their last five games, the Patriots need to end their season with a win. The question is whether it is win at any cost as they have a number of injuries to deal with on both sides of the ball. With a number of key players likely not to play on Sunday, the Patriots’ depth will be tested again as the regular season ends.

W2W4: New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins in Week 17

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