Tuesday 12 December 2017 06:20, UK
The New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins meet in an AFC East divisional match-up on Monday Night Football, live on Sky Sports Action from 1.15am.
The Patriots (10-2) look to keep pace with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the battle for the No 1 seed in the AFC, after their win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, while the Dolphins (5-7) hope a win can keep alive their very slim playoff hopes.
What can we expect to see from the Monday night meeting between the pair?
In a tweet...
The Patriots look to clinch a ninth-straight AFC East title with a win over the Dolphins in Miami on Monday Night Football.
What's the latest?
Patriots influential tight end Rob Gronkowski misses Monday night's game, serving a one-game suspension for a late hit on Buffalo Bills' Tre'Davious White in Week 13. Meanwhile, Miami guard Jermon Bushrod is sidelined by a foot injury and running back Damien Williams with a shoulder problem. Cornerback Cordrea Tankersley (ankle and shoulder) is doubtful.
New England QB Tom Brady has apologised for his sideline rant at offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels that made headlines last weekend, saying: "A lot of people see it and they think the nature of our relationship might be something like that, but it's really the exact opposite of that. I've been feeling bad all week and haven't had a chance to say it. He knows how much I love him."
Stat attack
New England has won at least 10 games in 15 consecutive seasons, the second-longest streak in NFL history, behind only the San Francisco 49ers of the 1980s and 90s (16 seasons, 1983-1998).
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has won 55 games in December in his career, the most by a starting quarterback in any calendar month in NFL history. Last week, he became the fourth player in NFL history to reach 65,000 career passing yards.
Key battle
The Dolphins were much-improved on offense in their Week 13 win over the Denver Broncos? Jay Cutler threw two TDs (and two interceptions), while running back Kenyan Drake ran for 120 yards and a score. Can they replicate that high level against a Patriots defense that has also come on hugely as the season has progressed?
Game-changer
Brady. Did you really think it was going to be anyone else? He may be 40-years-old, but Brady continues to operate at an utterly elite level. His Week 13 effort in the win over the Buffalo Bills was arguably his worst outing of the season, kept out of the endzone for the first time since the Week-One defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs. In between, he has thrown 26 touchdowns!
Watch the New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football, live on Sky Sports Main Event (401) from 1.15am on Tuesday.
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