When: Sunday, 1 p.m.

Where: Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.

TV, radio: CBS, WBZ-FM (98.5)

When the Dolphins run

Lamar Miller is a thickly built 5-foot-10-inch, 225-pounder with excellent vision and power, and deceptive speed. Miller is a patient runner who will let his blocks develop before scooting through lanes and getting to the second level quickly. He has good instincts and runs with good pad level. He can both absorb hits and deliver a blow. There’s not a lot of shake and shimmy to his game; he’d rather try to run through defenders than around them. Miller is no burner but has an adequate second gear. Rookie Jay Ajayi (6-0, 228) has a nice blend of size, speed, and instincts. He generally picks the right holes, runs with determination, and will break arm tackles. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is an underrated athlete. He’s not a track star but he has decent scrambling ability. That’s good. He’ll take some unnecessary hits, though. That’s bad. Guards Billy Turner (he’s aggressive) and Dallas Thomas (he’s athletic) are raw. Injuries to Dont’a Hightower (knee) and Patrick Chung (hip, foot) hurt New England’s run defense. However, the line rotation is stout and Jamie Collins makes disruptive plays from sideline to sideline.

EDGE: Patriots

Rushing yards per game:

Miami offense: 93.3 (27th)

New England defense: 98.9 (eighth)

When the Dolphins pass

Ryan Tannehill is an exceptionally athletic quarterback with good size, mobility, and arm strength. Tannehill (6 feet 4 inches, 220 pounds) can stand in and make all the throws when given a clean pocket, but he can sprint and roll out and make pretty accurate throws on the run, as well. Additionally, he’s no stranger to taking off downfield and making plays with his legs. Tannehill is an emotional player, and that has its pros and cons. When things are going well, his fieriness is contagious. But when he’s struggling, his shoulders slump (think John Lackey), and that’s contagious, too. Tannehill has a nifty little stable of pass catchers, and the niftiest is Jarvis Landry. This 5-10, 202-pounder is both quick and fast and he’ll display some surprising pop. Landry has a million moves and uses head and shoulder fakes effectively to set up defenders before blowing by them. He has soft (but strong) hands, and he jukes and jives his way downfield effortlessly. DeVante Parker is an emerging force. Another player blessed with speed and quickness, Parker (6-3, 218) also has size and strength. An outstanding athlete and competitor, he’ll fight for every ball. Kenny Stills is inconsistent. Tight end Jordan Cameron is a load. New England’s secondary is banged up, but there’s good safety depth, and corners Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan are better than most.

EDGE: Dolphins

Passing yards per game:

Miami offense: 231.3 (22d)

New England defense: 233.9 (11th)

When the Patriots run

This is an attack that has taken more than its share of lumps this season and is operating at less-than-full strength. The top two running backs are on injured reserve and the line features some fill-ins and rookies. A week after struggling against the top run defense in the league, the sledding may get a tad easier today. Steven Jackson had a couple of solid runs in his debut and his role could expand on Sunday. A linebacker masquerading as a tailback, the big and muscular Jackson has long been known as a guy that can find running room or make his own by bowling over would-be tacklers. Brandon Bolden could be the perfect complement to Jackson. Bolden shows burst in small doses. When he cuts into the right hole, he can get to the second level. He’s not a true burner but he will flash speed. James White does his best work in space but will squirt through creases. Won’t break many tackles, however. The offensive line is a patchwork unit right now. Young center Bryan Stork (he’s rugged and ornery) is the mainstay. Rookie guards Tre’ Jackson and Shaq Mason battle inconsistency. Meaty Miami monsters Ndamukong Suh (6 feet 4 inches, 320 pounds) and Earl Mitchell (6-3, 310) clog a lot of lanes. Suh could be the best in the business if he gave full effort on every play. Inside linebacker Kelvin Sheppard is active and physical. He sheds blockers quickly and sheds ball carriers from their senses.

EDGE: Dolphins

Rushing yards per game

New England offense: 88.9 (29th)

Miami defense: 129.9 (30th)

When the Patriots pass

Who has Tom Brady’s back? That’s the big question, and it’s more than likely going to be a team effort to protect the franchise’s blind side. Newcomer LaAdrian Waddle filled in admirably in his debut, and he’ll likely be spelled by Cameron Fleming. Or vice versa. Either way, they’ll get plenty of help from tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Michael Williams. The running backs will have to chip in, too. Literally chip in. Brady will still be without his full complement of pass catchers, but he still has some guys that can move the chains. First and foremost there is the beast known as Gronk. A towering presence with soft hands, Rob Gronkowski turns into a bull in a china shop after the catch. He has size, speed, strength, and a ridiculous catch radius. He can sky for balls and he can snatch them off his shoestrings. Keshawn Martin has shown speed, quickness, and decent hands. Brady’s growing trust in the 5-foot-11-inch, 184-pounder was evident against the Jets (yes, necessity was a factor, too) and he’s earned a spot, even when Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola return. Brandon LaFell has good size and speed and will make some memorable catches but has had trouble gaining separation. Miami’s Brent Grimes (he’s speedy and sticky) and Brice McCain (he’s very fast) are quality corners. Strong safety Reshad Jones has been phenomenal. He has team highs in tackles (104), passes defensed (10), and interceptions (5).

EDGE: Patriots

Passing yards per game:

New England offense: 297.4 (second)

Miami defense: 258.3 (24th)

Dolphins’ key player: WR DeVante Parker

The rookie first-rounder was slowed by summer foot surgery, but is turning it on now, with 17 grabs for 339 yards and 2 TDs in his last five games.

How he beats you: With tremendous physical skills. The 6-foot-3-inch, 218-pounder has quickness, speed, strength. He can beat press coverage, leave defenders in the dust, and jump out of the building.

How to shut him down: By leaning on him. Hard. He has added bulk, but he’s still a bit slender, so hitting him at every opportunity will wear him down. Sometimes, he’ll shut himself down with lapses in concentration.

Dolphins’ keys to victory

1. Fresh squeezed: Bookend defensive ends Olivier Vernon and Derrick Shelby have to put the Florida heat on the tackles and Tom Brady.

2. Fresh air: Take a few deep shots with Jarvis Landry and DeVante Parker. It can wear out a defense and build Ryan Tannehill’s confidence.

3. Fresh prince: Ndamukong Suh sounds like a prince and is paid like one, too. Time to start earning it by handing out some royal beatings.

Patriots’ keys to victory

1. Sun block: Keeping Tom Brady from getting burned is imperative. It’s all hands on deck (no holding, though) to keep the QB protected.

2. Sun sentinels: The interior of the offensive line has to move some bodies (with brute strength or good angles) to create some space for the backs.

3. Sun god: Get out to an early lead and then put Rob Gronkowski in a bubble on the sideline. To make any playoff hay, a healthy Gronk is a must.

PREDICTION: Patriots 31, Dolphins 17

Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com