Both the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots come into their Week 5 meeting with disappointing 1-3 records to start the season.
The Dolphins began their season with ambition of a division title and they hoped to finally find some success in the playoffs. Instead, they find themselves fighting to get to 2-3 with their bye week coming up in Week 6.
The story for the Dolphins has been, and continues to be injuries on both sides of the football. New England also has numerous injuries they are working through to be ready for this contest. Nevertheless, both teams are in desperate need of a victory if they want any hope of salvaging their respective seasons.
Before these long-time division rivals square off Sunday, here are five of the biggest pregame storylines for Dolphins vs. Patriots in Week 5:
One team’s losing streak will extend to four games
The Dolphins and Patriots enter this game tied for last place in the AFC East standings. Each team is on a three-game losing streak after winning their respective Week 1 matchups.
The stakes in this game cannot be overstated since the loser will have a 1-4 record, be on a four-game losing streak, and sit all alone in last place in the division. Miami already lost its first divisional matchup against the Bills in Week 2, making the upcoming game more crucial if the Dolphins hope to keep tiebreaker scenarios in their favor.
The Dolphins have two weeks after this game to get some of their key players healthy and build more chemistry ahead of a Week 7 game against the Colts. A 2-3 record entering the bye week is a much more manageable hole to climb from than 1-4.
Is it time for Jonnu Smith to get some targets?
Jonnu Smith has not made nearly the impact Miami had hoped when they signed him early on in free agency. The tight end produced the best season of his career for the Falcons in 2023, and appeared to have earned an even bigger role in the Dolphins offense. Receiving options outside of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle stood out a glaring need for the Miami in the offseason, and Smith appeared to be one of the key solutions.
But in his first four games in aqua and orange, Smith has caught just nine of 13 targets for 78 yards and hasn’t scored a touchdown. Six of his nine receptions came in the Week 2 blowout loss to the Bills. Against the Titans, Smith was held without a catch on just one target.
Of course, the absence of Tua Tagovailoa has made the productivity in the passing game virtually disappear for every player on the Dolphins offense. Still, it’s surprising Smith hasn’t been prioritized more especially since the Dolphins receiver room has been full of injuries to begin the season.
Smith showed come flashes in the preseason what he could bring to the table in the short passing game. Tagovailoa referred to Smith as a “YAC monster” following a preseason contest against the Washington Commanders. Smith appeared to fit nicely with Tagovailoa as a reliable bail-out option when the quarterback was under pressure.
The way Smith was used in the preseason would seem to be perfect for quarterback Tyler Huntley who is still learning McDaniel’s offense.
There are players who need to step up following Jaelan Phillips’ injury
Dolphins edge rusher Jaelan Phillips suffered another devastating season-ending injury this past Monday night in the Week 4 loss.
With Phillips done for the year and Bradley Chubb still recovering from a torn ACL, the Dolphins will look to their depth to pick up the slack. This will provide an opportunity for players further down on the depth chart to earn snaps.
The Dolphins have rookie Chop Robinson and Quinton Bell listed behind Phillips on the depth chart. Through the first four games, Robinson has recorded four tackles and one tackle for loss, while Bell has recorded 6 tackles and two tackles for loss. Even though Bell’s numbers are slightly better, Robinson will likely be given the starting snaps because of his potential and the Dolphins investment in him as a first-round pick.
On the other side is Emmanuel Ogbah who has played well to begin the season. Ogbah has started all four games, recorded 14 tackles, three tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, and a sack. He also recorded an interception on the opening drive in the Dolphins’ last game against the Titans.
In addition, it could be time for fifth-year rookie Mohamed Kamara to see the field. Kamara hasn’t played yet in any of the Dolphins regular season games thus far, but the injury to Phillips could open the door for him to play a reserve role off the bench moving forward.
Miami also signed former Ravens linebacker Tyus Bowser, reuniting him with defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. Bowser spent six years with the Ravens and was on the Seahawks’ practice squad when he was signed by the Dolphins on Thursday.
What adjustments will be made for QB Tyler Huntley?
It was a difficult first start for Tyler Huntley, who suited up for his hometown team for the first time. He completed 14 of 22 passes for 96 yards in the 31-12 loss to the Tennessee Titans, and added 40 rushing yards on eight carries. While Huntley did not throw any interceptions, the offense often looked even more stagnant than they did the week before in the 24-3 loss to the Seahawks.
The timing between Huntley and his receivers was clearly off in the Monday night loss. Huntley missed Tyreek Hill on a couple of deep passes that Dolphins fans have come to expect the ‘Cheetah’ to turn into touchdowns. McDaniel designed the Miami offense around Tua Tagovailoa, who has a vastly different skillset from Huntley.
McDaniel said postgame Monday night that “everything is on the table” in regard to changes to the offense. This could mean they will utilize Huntley more for what he does well, or simplify the playbook and prioritize getting the ball in the hands of Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and De’Von Achane.
It’s the first time in 25 years the Dolphins will face a Patriots team not coached by Bill Belichick
The last time the Patriots and Dolphins played without legendary coach Bill Belichick on one of the sidelines, several players currently on Miami’s roster weren’t even born yet.
Interestingly, Mike McDaniel produced a successful 3-1 record in his four games coaching against one of the all-time greats – although most will attribute that to quarterback Tom Brady no longer being on New England’s roster.
The Patriots are now coached by their former All-Pro linebacker Jerod Mayo, who played under coach Belichick from 2008 to 2015.
