Dolphins-Patriots Five Biggest Storylines

Breaking down the Miami Dolphins Week 5 matchup against the New England Patriots.

New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) passes the football against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. / Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images

The Miami Dolphins will look to end their three-game losing streak when they face the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.

The Dolphins, coming off a 31-12 loss against the Tennessee Titans, are back on the road for their final game before they get their one bye of the 2024 season. Last season, the Dolphins swept the season series against the Patriots, winning 24-17 at Gillette Stadium and 31-17 at Hard Rock Stadium.

New England will enter the game with a 1-3 record and also on a three-game losing streak following their season-opening road victory against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Here are the five biggest storylines for this Week 5 matchup.

CAN THE OFFENSE COME TO LIFE?

Surprisingly, the Dolphins will enter the game as the lowest-scoring team in the NFL. Their combined 25 points during their current losing streak are their lowest output for a three-game stretch since the start of the 2019 season when the Dolphins were rebuilding or tanking (depending on which version you choose). Tyler Huntley will make his second start as quarterback, and the offense should also benefit from the return of Terron Armstead and Raheem Mostert.

ALL EYES ON OBJ

There's been a lot of hoopla about what Odell Beckham, Jr. could do for the offense, and we'll begin to find out in this game, though this likely will be gradual. Of course, if he put up 100-plus yards, that would be great, but at this point, only a couple of key catches at timely moments would be a big help for an offense that needs it.

LET'S TRY LEGAL SHIFTS THIS TIME

When the Dolphins' offense was operating at full capacity or close to full capacity at the start of December last year, it didn't make a huge difference when the team would commit pre-span penalties. Still, it's been a while since we've seen that offense. This 2024 version really isn't in a position to keep "getting behind the sticks," which happened with much too much regularity over the past two games.

ONE CLEAR TASK ON DEFENSE

The Dolphins' defense has been pretty good overall in 2024, even during the three-game losing streak. The one obvious issue has been that the Dolphins have allowed one big play every game:

• The 49-yard touchdown run by James Cook of the Buffalo Bills;
• The 71-yard touchdown reception by DK Metcalf of the Seattle Seahawks and
• The 41-yard run by Tony Pollard of the Tennessee Titans.

New England doesn't have much firepower offensively, so this may not be the week this doesn't happen.

WHAT CAN THE PHILLIPS-LESS PASS RUSH DO?

Now that Jaelan Phillips is on injured reserve because of his season-ending knee injury, the Dolphins now are without both of their star pass rushers from 2023, with Bradley Chubb still on PUP. Emmanuel Ogbah has proven a godsend for Miami since they re-signed him after Shaq Barrett abruptly retired before the start of the camp. Still, the Dolphins will need one of their young players — Chop Robinson, Mohamed Kamara, Quinton Bell — to step up and help pressure the quarterback.