The New England Patriots are exactly where they have been for the better part of the last 15 season … first place in the AFC East. Despite all kinds of predictions that New England would lose its crown to one of the three challengers this season, the Patriots are 6-0 and two games clear of the second-place New York Jets.
On Thursday Night Football, the Patriots will host the Miami Dolphins, who are 3-3. Miami began the season 1-3 and fired head coach Joe Philbin heading into its BYE week. With Philbin gone, tight ends coach Dan Campbell was promoted on an interim level. Campbell has turned things around, beating both the Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans in convincing fashion.
TV: CBS and NFLN
Time: 8:25 p.m. ESTBroadcasters: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Tracy Wolfson
Online: NFL.com
New England is almost unbeatable at Gillette Stadium. Last year, the Patriots did not lose a game on their home turf, including both of their postseason affairs on the way to Super Bowl XLIX. Of course, there is all kinds of talk as to why the Patriots are so good at home, including deflated footballs and communication system problems.
In reality, it is simply Tom Brady and his group offensive weapons simply overwhelming teams. New England is currently in a three-way tie for first place in the AFC, along with the Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos. Should the Patriots be able to secure home-field advantage, it would take a mighty effort to keep them from their seventh Super Bowl appearance in the Brady era.