New England’s No. 7 power index meets Miami’s run-game counter in a matchup with a steep standings gap.
New England (4-3, No. 8 seed) arrives at Hard Rock Stadium with a chance to widen its standings cushion over 1-5 Miami, while the power index ranks the Patriots No. 7 and the Dolphins No. 29. Both teams are coming off losses: New England fell 30-24 to Chicago after three straight wins, while Miami snapped a four-game skid with a 28-25 win over the Jets. Drake Maye has thrown 13 touchdowns and 1,784 yards, but his eight interceptions will matter against a Dolphins defense that has four interceptions and has allowed 14 passing touchdowns. Miami’s best counter is Ollie Gordon II and a ground game averaging 131.5 yards per game against a Patriots defense allowing 95.3 rushing yards; establishing that run and limiting Maye’s turnovers could decide whether the Dolphins stay within reach.