Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots
Top performers:
- Ryan Tannehill, QB: 300 passing yards, 2 INTs, 7.90 fantasy points
- Lamar Miller, RB: 14 touches, 34 total yards, TD, 9.40 fantasy points
- Jarvis Landry, WR: 6 rec, 71 yards, 7.10 fantasy points
- Rishard Matthews, WR: 7 rec, 67 yards, 6.20 fantasy points
- Tom Brady, QB: 356 yards, 4 TDs, 30.34 fantasy points
- Dion Lewis, RB: 11 touches, 112 total yards, TD, 17.20 fantasy points
- LeGarrette Blount, RB: 17 carries, 72 yards, 7.40 fantasy points
- Julian Edelman, WR: 7 rec, 81 yards, 2 TDs, 20.10 fantasy points
- Brandon LaFell, WR: 4 rec, 47 yards, 4.70 fantasy points
- Rob Gronkowski, TE: 6 rec, 113 yards, TD, 17.30 fantasy points
The Patriots dispensed of the visiting Miami Dolphins in an alarmingly easy fashion, showing no chinks in their armor while soundly beating their division foe. Ryan Tannehill had one surgical drive in the third quarter, but was otherwise ineffective. Despite throwing 44 passes, Tannehill just barely hit 300 passing yards, and didn't find the end zone. His two interceptions came on poor throws where the receivers weren't in the area he anticipated. Lamar Miller saw 14 touches, which was closer to his early season usage rate rather than what we saw the last two games. He saved his fantasy day by popping in a one yard touchdown on Miami's only scoring drive. Jarvis Landry checked in with a solid PPR day, on six catches for 71 yards, but didn't get over on this defense. New England made sure to shade No. 1 corner, Malcolm Butler into the slot at times in an effort to keep Landry at bay. This game was a cold reminder that Miami is closer to a total rebuild than they are to competing for a wild card spot.
The Patriots' box score looks about what you'd expect it to. The Dolphins, despite carrying an advantage personnel-wise, didn't put heat on Tom Brady much at all. He was able to sit back in the pocket, and find open spots in their defense. When Miami lost star pass rusher Cameron Wake later in the game, it was all a wrap. Brady threw four touchdown passes in a near flawless game. Julian Edelman scored on two of his red-zone targets, while Rob Gronkowski took a 47-yard crossing route to the house. Both players met the value fantasy owners expect from them. After sitting out last week with an abdomen injury, Dion Lewis reminded everyone why he's an every week fantasy starter. He took his 11 touches for 112 total yards and a touchdown. He's a tremendous fit in this spread offense, and the team is just more versatile and dangerous when he's on the field. No hyperbole: he might be the most elusive running back in the NFL right now. LeGarrette Blount assisted in closing the game out with 17 carries, and Brandon LaFell got back on track with four catches, and far fewer miscues than last week. Danny Amendola suffered as a result, with only one reception after topping 100 yards last week. He and LaFell are a bench stashes only, at this point.
Matt Harmon is an associate fantasy writer/editor for NFL.com, and the creator of #ReceptionPerception, who you can follow on Twitter **@MattHarmon_BYB**