Pats Cast Episode 28: Injury Updates, Matchups to Watch in Patriots vs. Dolphins

Xavien Howard (No. 25) is one of the most talented cornerbacks in the league, and he might be the best one in this game. (Photo: Allan Eyestone/The Palm Beach Post)

After going more than a week without playing a game, Sunday is almost here, and that means it's almost time for another Patriots game.

New England takes on the Miami Dolphins (who are 8-5 this season) at Hard Rock Stadium at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. They're the slightly better team in this game, but there's certainly a path for the Patriots to win it.

Here's how New England can come up with a win:

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Injury Reports

IR/Designated to Return: WR Julian Edelman, DT Carl Davis, DE Shilique Calhoun

Photos: patriots.com

I'll group the injured players in terms of position and importance, simply to make this a bit more digestible.

Patriots: RBs Damien Harris, James White and J.J. Taylor; WR/STs Donte Moncrief and Matthew Slater; OL Shaq Mason, Jermaine Eluemunor and Justin Herron; DTs Lawrence Guy, Adam Butler and Byron Cowart; CBs J.C. Jackson and Jonathan Jones, and K Nick Folk

Dolphins: RB Salvon Ahmed; WRs DeVante Parker and Jakeem Grant; TE Mike Gesicki; OL Ereck Flowers; LBs Kyle Van Noy, Jerome Baker and Elandon Roberts; and DB Bobby McCain

Patriots on Defense

X-Receiver: DeVante Parker/Mack Hollins vs. Stephon Gilmore

Z-Receiver: Mack Hollins/Lynn Bowden Jr. vs. J.C. Jackson/Jason McCourty

Slot Receiver: Jakeem Grant/Lynn Bowden Jr. vs. Jonathan Jones

Tight End: Mike Gesicki vs. J.C. Jackson/Kyle Dugger

A lot depends upon whether DeVante Parker plays. If so, Stephon Gilmore will shadow him. But if not, and with Mack Hollins out wide, you'll see Gilmore move elsewhere at times. Putting Grant and Bowden on the field together could create matchup problems, but the Dolphins will play Bowden quite a bit with or without Grant. The injuries to Miami's receiving corps will have to be monitored, though.

Patriots on Offense

X-Receiver: Damiere Byrd vs. Byron Jones

Z-Receiver: N'Keal Harry/Jakobi Meyers vs. Xavien Howard

Slot Receiver: Jakobi Meyers vs. Nik Needham/Bobby McCain

Tight End: Dalton Keene/Devin Asiasi vs. Eric Rowe

It's pretty cut and dry on this side of the ball. Byron Jones is the Dolphins' quickest cornerback, so he'll stick with Byrd. Xavien Howard will split time between the physical Harry and consistent Meyers, depending on which of them line up outside. Needham and McCain have establish themselves as dependable slot corners, and Rowe always covers tight ends.

Closing Thoughts

It's do-or-die time for the Patriots. At 6-7, their playoff odds are slim, and a loss essentially eradicates them. The Dolphins are three-point favorites in this game, but now seems like a good time to remind everyone that Bill Belichick is 21-5 against rookie quarterbacks since becoming New England's head coach.

Miami is tough, but definitely beatable. The Patriots simply need to take care of business.