Dolphins at Patriots -- Week 17
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass. (turf, outdoors)
Forecast: Mid-20s, 14 mph wind
When: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS)
Spread: New England by 10
Records: Patriots (11-4; AFC East 5-0); Dolphins (7-8; AFC East 2-3)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Dec. 2, 2012: Patriots 23, Dolphins 16; Dec. 24, 2011: Patriots 27, Dolphins 24. Series record: Dolphins lead 50-44.
What matters: The Dolphins, picked by most analysts at the start of the season to finish with the worst record in the league, have a chance to finish .500. The team also is loaded with veteran players in the final year of their deals and a big performance in their final game could help them make some free agent bucks in the coming months.
Who matters: First-year QB Ryan Tannehill appears to have overcome the rookie wall. The eighth overall pick in April’s draft completed 13 of 25 passes for 130 yards with two touchdowns in last week’s win against Buffalo. Overall, the rookie has completed 58.4 percent of his passes for 3,059 yards with 12 touchdowns against 12 interceptions this season. Meantime, DE Cameron Wake has regained his burst, recording at least one sack in nine of his past 12 games. The former Penn State standout has a career high 15 sacks to go with 49 tackles this season.
Key matchups: DB Reshad Jones will again have his hands full trying to patrol the secondary against New England QB Tom Brady. Jones, who had 10 tackles, a sack and an interception in an earlier game against the Patriots, has shown an ability to read Brady’s eyes and make sound tackles against New England's spread attack. Brady is completing 63.1 percent of his passes for 4,543 yards with 32 touchdowns against eight interceptions. Expect Brady and the offense to utilize more pump-fakes and double-moves on Sunday.
Injuries of note: WR Davone Bess (back) and DT Randy Starks (non-football related) missed practice on Thursday while CB Sean Smith (knee), LB Koa Misi (ankle), DB Chris Clemons (ankle), G Josh Samuda (shoulder), CB Nolan Carroll (knee) and DB Jones (hip) were limited.
Inside stuff: Dolphins rookie TE Michael Egnew made his season debut last week against Buffalo, playing seven snaps. The third-round pick has been a huge disappointment so far and expect him to get more opportunities to demonstrate his value against New England.
Stat you should know: 4. Turnovers forced by the Dolphins in a win against the Bills last week. Miami had forced only one turnover the previous seven games combined.
Looking ahead: First-year coach Joe Philbin exceeded expectations by keeping his team in the postseason chase until the final week of the season and should have no reason to fear for his job. The real question is if embattled general manager Jeff Ireland needs this team to finish with a win over the defending AFC champions to keep his position. If Ireland is let go, it could have long-reaching effects on the team's direction. There might not be a playoff berth on the line, but there is plenty to play for on Sunday.
Prediction: Patriots 31, Dolphins 17
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Miami Dolphins from blogger Dave Carey, follow @CBSDolphins.