The Worksheet, a fantasy football overview by Rich Hribar, breaking down everything you need to know for the Week 2 New England Patriots vs Miami Dolphins Sunday afternoon game on September 15, 2019 at 1:00 pm ET.
| New England | Rank | @ | Miami | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| -18.5 | Spread | 18.5 | ||
| 33 | Implied Total | 14.5 | ||
| 33 | 5 | Points/Gm | 10 | 30 |
| 3 | 1 | Points All./Gm | 59 | 32 |
| 67 | 8 | Plays/Gm | 47 | 32 |
| 61 | 14 | Opp. Plays/Gm | 73 | 30 |
| 43.3% | 12 | Rush% | 25.5% | 27 |
| 56.7% | 21 | Pass% | 74.5% | 6 |
| 21.3% | 2 | Opp. Rush % | 63.0% | 31 |
| 78.7% | 31 | Opp. Pass % | 37.0% | 2 |
- The Patriots are 14-3 (4-1 on the road) against the spread in games in which they have been double-digit point favorites.
- New England is 1-6 straight up and against the spread over their past seven games in Miami.
- 30.4% of the completions allowed by the Dolphins in Week 1 went for 20 or more yards, the highest rate in the league.
- The Patriots had seven pass plays of 20 or more yards in Week 1, tied for the most in the league.
- The Miami backfield totaled 13 touches for 40 yards in Week 1, the lowest totals of any backfield in the league.
- The Patriots backfield totaled 38 touches for 188 yards from scrimmage, second in the league in both to only Baltimore.
- Sony Michel had a rushing attempt on 65.2% of his snaps, the highest rate in the league in Week 1. he was at 64.9% in 2018, which led the league for the season.
- The Dolphins allowed pressure on 48.6% of their dropbacks in Week 1, the highest rate in the league.
Trust (spike production for that player)
- Tom Brady: He looked sensational to open the season throwing for 341 yards and 9.5 yards per attempt while the offensive line held up. The Patriots have laid some eggs traveling to Miami consistently, but this time the Dolphins aren’t even trying. I know I don’t have it me to lay that many points, but for fantasy purposes, I have a hard time seeing the Patriots letting down here. Miami just allowed 59 points and six passing touchdowns to Lamar Jackson on just 20 pass attempts, so light up Brady as a top-five play here.
- Sony Michel/Rex Burkhead: In fact, play everyone with NE next to their team status this weekend. The Patriots used their entire active backfield in Week 1, giving tangible snaps to all of Rex Burkhead (32), James White (33), and Sony Michel (23) against the Steelers. This sets up as a “get right” spot for Sony Michel as the Dolphins allowed the Ravens’ power run game to steamroll them for 190 rushing yards on 38 carries. *James White did in fact make the trip to Miami after rumors he would not due to the birth of a child.
- Patriots WRs: When you allow six touchdown passes to the Ravens with four to two rookie wideouts and another to Willie Snead, you better believe we’re going to want to get Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon, and now maybe Antonio Brown into lineups. Edelman commanded 11 of the 20 targets to Patriot wideouts in Week 1, but that share could easily change. Brown is the one to be the most cautious with in his first game with the Patriots, but the Dolphins offered nearly no resistance in Week 1 to a far less talented passing attack.
Bust (down-week production for that player’s standards)
- Ryan Fitzpatrick: He was a sub-50% passer (48.3%) and threw for just 6.4 yards per attempt in Week 1 while under constant pressure.
- Miami RBs: This backfield totaled just 40 yards in Week 1 and the Patriots held James Conner and Jaylen Samuels to 71 total yards on 17 touches.
- Miami WRs: Miami wideouts caught 10 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown in Week 1, but their best fantasy option (Preston Williams) checked in at WR46 for the week. The Patriots back end held all the Steelers wideouts to WR36 or lower scoring weeks.
