Patriots vs. Dolphins Preview: Can New England Stop Tua?

Scorching hot quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, receiver Tyreek Hill and the Miami Dolphins are coming to Foxboro for a prime-time matchup with the New England Patriots

The New England Patriots host AFC East Division foe Miami Dolphins in a prime-time battle in Foxboro. The Sunday night matchup is highlighted by a scorching hot quarterback Tua Tagovailoa connection with receiver Tyreek Hill vs. the respected Patriots' defense.

Tagovailoa and Hill combined for historic numbers in Miami's 36-34 come-from-behind win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 1. Tagovailoa totaled 466 yards on 28-of-45 passing with three touchdowns. Hill, who is gunning for 2,000 receiving yards this season, caught a pair of touchdowns, with 11 receptions and total 215 yards.

New England gave the defending NFC Champions all they could handle in a 25-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1. Quarterback Mac Jones recovered from a rough start to finish 35 of 54 for 316 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. In new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien's debut, the Patriots’ offense out-gained the Eagles 382-251 in total yardage.

Can the Patriots keep up with the Dolphins? New England certainly has positives to build on from Week 1 but slowing Hill will be a serious challenge. 

"I always feel like nobody can guard me as a competitor," Hill said after Week 1. "I feel like if you ask anybody in our room, they'll say the same thing... can't nobody guard me or them. I just feel like that's just a competitive mindset. I want the ball. Well, that sounds kind of like crazy. But yeah, like I just feel like can't nobody guard me."

The Patriots are only 2-4 against Miami since the departure of Tom Brady after the 2019 season.

RECORDS: New England Patriots (0-1) vs. Miami Dolphins (1-0)

ODDS: New England is a 2-point underdog vs. the Dolphins.

GAME TIME: Sunday, September 17, 2023 at 8:20 p.m. ET

LOCATION: Gillette Stadium - Foxborough, Massachusetts

TV/RADIO: NBC, 98.5 The Sports Hub

THE FINAL WORD: Jones and the New England offense had two chances to beat the Eagles, one of which they made it into the red zone, but both ended in turnovers on downs.

"They gave me the ball twice to win the game, and I couldn't do it," Jones said. "As a quarterback, that hurts. You get a chance to win the game twice and can't do it. Just got to learn from it. You only get so many opportunities in the NFL to do that, and I feel like I definitely let the team down.