Week one: Miami Dolphins have edge over the Patriots by position

If there is a clear position that tilts from the favor of the Miami Dolphins to the Patriots, it just might be the linebacker spot, or it used to be.

Linebackers

• Dolphins vs. Patriots
• Edge: Dolphins

I like the Dolphins’ formidable linebacker unit and the additions of Melvin Ingram and Trey Flowers make them better but the Patriots are still very good at the position and they control much of what happens in a game. The problem for New England? They may lack the same decisive play in 2022.

Led by Matt Judon, the Patriots’ LBs are good but they are not as good on paper as they were over the last few years. Ja’Whuan Bentley will play inside with Judon after being re-signed this off-season he has been with NE his entire career.

Another familiar face is Raekwon McMillan who previously played with Miami. Like the Dolphins, the Patriots players benefit from a very solid defensive scheme that uses their talents but this year, it is hard to deny Miami’s linebacker group on paper.

Jerome Baker, Jaelan Phillips, Ingram, Flowers, Andrew Van Ginkel, and even rookie Channing Tindall give the Dolphins a very deep defensive unit that gives Miami options for situational rotations. While the Patriots’ LBs have always been good in the last decade, Miami has the better team on paper.