Breaking down the Dolphins opponents

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Game 1 — Sept. 13, Gillette Stadium

Game 14 — Dec. 20, Hard Rock Stadium

2019 Record: 12-4, First in AFC East (lost vs. Tennessee in the wild-card playoffs)

Last Dolphins-Patriots Meeting at New England: 2019 — Dolphins 27, Patriots 24

Last Dolphins-Patriots Meeting at Miami: 2019 — Patriots 43, Dolphins 0

2019 Season in Review: The Patriots started the season 8-0 thanks to a defense that began drawing comparisons with some of the all-time best, but there were underlying issues with the offense all along. New England was only 4-4 in the second half of the season, with losses against Baltimore, Houston and Kansas City preceding the one against the Dolphins. That loss dropped New England to the No. 3 seed and the offense stalled again in a 20-13 playoff loss against Tennessee. Tom Brady’s final pass as a member of the Patriots became a pick-six for Tennessee DB Logan Ryan. In the final analysis, though, it was yet another successful season for the Patriots, who won the AFC East title for the 11th consecutive season.

Key Veteran Additions: QB Cam Newton, RB Lamar Miller, QB Brian Hoyer, WR Marqise Lee, S Adrian Phillips

Key Departures: QB Tom Brady, LB Kyle Van Noy, LB Elandon Roberts, S Duron Harmon, LB Jamie Collins, DT Danny Shelton, FB James Develin, WR Phillip Dorsett, C Ted Karras, LB Dont’a Hightower, S Patrick Chung, RB Brandon Bolden, T Marcus Cannon

Notable 2020 Draft Picks: S Kyle Dugger, LB Josh Uche, TE Devin Asiasi, TE Dalton Keene