Week one: Miami Dolphins have edge over the Patriots by position
By Brian Miller
Both the Patriots and the Dolphins pride themselves on special teams’ play but it comes down to who has the better specialists.
SPECIAL TEAMS
There is a lot to like about Miami’s special teams and it comes down to all three aspects of the game. We could call this a push but both teams are good in coverage so it comes down to who has the better specialists.
- Thomas Morstead vs. Jake Bailey
- Edge: Morstead
Morstead enters his 14th season and has had an exceptional career with the Saints. Now he looks to keep his career going in Miami.
- Jason Sanders vs. Nick Folk
- Edge: Push
Sanders has looked much better this off-season after an off-year in 2021. Folk, like Sanders, is a competent kicker but with a game on the line at this stage in their careers, I would take Sanders from deeper than Folk. I might take Folk closer on the field.
- Return specialist
- Edge: New England
Ty Montgomery is a quick runner who will do well for the Patriots as a returner. I have him listed above Miami because I’m not sold that Hill and/or Waddle will handle the duties. If Hill returns punts, you have to give him the edge but Miami has Mostert, Hill, Waddle, Holland, and Edmonds listed as returners in some way and then there is Noah Igbinoghene.
Miami might want to keep the others healthy and away from injury which means using Igbinoghene makes sense and if that is the case, Montgomery is better.