{"id":34217,"date":"2017-11-23T23:05:13","date_gmt":"2017-11-24T04:05:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=34217"},"modified":"2017-11-23T23:05:13","modified_gmt":"2017-11-24T04:05:13","slug":"week-12-new-england-patriots-keys-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2017\/11\/23\/week-12-new-england-patriots-keys-victory\/","title":{"rendered":"Week 12 New England Patriots Keys to Victory"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New England Patriots<\/a> go into Week 12 with a notch already in the win column against AFC East opponents. The Patriots return home\u00a0to face the Miami Dolphins<\/a> after a two-game road trip, to Denver where they defeated the Denver Broncos<\/a> and Mexico City where they easily took down the Oakland Raiders<\/a>. The Dolphins are on a streak of their own, having lost their last four games. Here are the Week 12 New England Patriots keys to victory.<\/p>\n

Week 12 New England Patriots Keys to Victory<\/h1>\n

Avoid Giving up Big Rushes<\/h2>\n

Jay Cutler<\/a><\/strong> has not been a picture of health this season. As of Wednesday, the veteran quarterback was still in a concussion protocol. Dolphins head Coach Adam Gase<\/strong> stated that the coaching staff would make a decision on who would start at quarterback earlier this week, but that decision has yet to come out. That means that the Patriots secondary, which has been improving every week, will either see an unhealthy Cutler or\u00a0Matt Moore<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>under center for Miami.\u00a0 Neither are attractive options for moving the ball through the air.<\/p>\n

If Moore starts, expect the Dolphins to rely on\u00a0Kenyan Drake<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Damien\u00a0Williams<\/strong><\/a>, their leading rushers in the last two games. Williams and Drake have the ability to create big plays. Williams tore off a 69-yard rush against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a>, and Drake had a 66-yard run on the road against the Carolina Panthers<\/a> last week. Frankly, big plays are the only thing the Patriots have to worry about with this rushing duo. After taking away these plays, Williams and Drake averaged only one yard per carry and 2.7 yards per carry\u00a0respectively in those contests.<\/p>\n

Keep up the Defensive Disruption<\/h2>\n

Last week\u00a0the Patriots defense proved they are getting much better<\/a> at disrupting opposing offenses and ending drives. No opponent has scored more than 20 points against the Patriots defense since they lost to Carolina. And only two teams have posted more than 14 points during that span.<\/p>\n

The defense was able to manufacture key turnovers against the Oakland Raiders\u00a0when it mattered. Admittedly, they stumbled into those turnovers, but it’s clear that the secondary is more keyed into the game plan now than they were the first part of the season. The Dolphins have a question at quarterback and an uneven rushing attack, so a shutout in Foxborough isn’t out of the question.<\/p>\n

Take it Easy<\/h2>\n

The Patriots injury report looks like a Pro Bowl selection ballot. Tom Brady<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>was limited in practice on Thursday with a tweaked Achilles.\u00a0Rob Gronkowski<\/a><\/strong> was limited due to illness.\u00a0Patrick Chung<\/a><\/strong> was limited with an ankle injury.\u00a0Chris Hogan<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0David Andrews<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Martellus Bennett<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0and\u00a0Marcus Cannon<\/a><\/strong> did not participate in practice at all.<\/p>\n

With a record of 4-6 the Dolphins are not much of a threat to the Patriots continuing their dominance in the division. Unfortunately,\u00a0Ndamukong Suh<\/a><\/strong> made a statement this week that he’d like to get up close and personal<\/a> with the reigning Super Bowl MVP. That cannot bode well for Brady, who won’t be able to scramble out of Suh’s grasp with an injured Achilles.<\/p>\n

There is no love lost between the Patriots offense and the Dolphins defense. If Brady does play, the offensive line will have its work cut out for them against the most aggressive squad in the AFC East. If not,\u00a0Josh McDaniels<\/strong> will have his hands full with\u00a0Brian Hoyer<\/a><\/strong> at the helm. There should be no need to endanger the offense if the defense can take advantage of the skidding Dolphins.<\/p>\n

The Patriots and Dolphins kick off on Sunday at 1:00 PM EST.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>