The Patriots enter Sunday’s AFC East game at Hard Rock Stadium missing two offensive weapons. Running back TreVeyon Henderson sits out Thursday practice due to illness, while wide receiver A.J. Brown remains questionable after a knee flare‑up and a lingering high‑ankle sprain that landed him on IR in September. Both players have contributed modestly this season—Henderson with 203 rushing yards and one TD, Brown with six catches for 75 yards since his return. New England also lists several linemen and defensive backs as limited participants, but quarterback Drake Maye and cornerback Carlton Davis III are fully healthy. The Dolphins report multiple injuries but field a full‑participation QB Malik Willis.
The New England Patriots tried to claim former Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu off waivers, but their 7-2 record gave them lower priority than six other teams. The Titans, Dolphins, Texans, Colts, Jets and Titans (who ultimately won the claim) all submitted bids, and the 26‑year‑old was awarded to Tennessee on Wednesday. Laulu, a 2024 seventh‑round pick who logged 39 games and 5.5 sacks for Las Vegas, fell out of the Raiders’ rotation under new coach Klint Kubiak. New England’s interior line, currently featuring Milton Williams and Christian Barmore, remains unchanged as the Patriots head to Miami for a Nov. 1 game.
Dolphins edge rusher Josh Uche says he’ll fight any trade after the deadline, praising head coach Jeff Hafley’s “non‑toxic” vibe, the old‑school feel from veteran Austin Clark, and the locker‑room brotherhood. Uche, a 2020 rookie, is having a career season with 25 tackles, four QB hits, three TFLs, a forced fumble and a recovery in six games, despite Miami’s 1‑5 start and bottom‑of‑the‑AFC East standing. He hopes to help the rebuilding team surge as they host the Patriots on Nov. 1.
The Tennessee Titans win a waiver claim for former Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu, beating out the Jets, Colts, Patriots, Dolphins and Texans. Laulu, a 26‑year‑old ex‑Colts seventh‑round pick from Oklahoma (2024), signed a four‑year, $4.12 million rookie contract before being waived by the Raiders mid‑season 2026. He appeared in five games for Oakland, tallying five tackles and half a sack. The Titans secure his services with the highest priority claim.
The Cleveland Browns have reportedly decided not to trade quarterback Shedeur Sanders before the Nov. 10 deadline unless a compelling offer arrives, according to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. Sanders, a second‑year QB who posted 1,400 passing yards and a 3‑4 record last season, fell to backup behind Deshaun Watson and became the subject of trade chatter, especially after hiring an agent and a vlog hinting at a move to Miami. While Miami Dolphins are seen as the likely destination, insiders say the Browns will keep Sanders—and fellow backup Dillon Gabriel—unless a deal is too good to pass up.
Week 7 film highlights the Steelers’ defense emerging as a potential AFC North powerhouse, holding the Saints to just 18 rushing yards and showcasing dominant play from Cameron Heyward, T.J. Watt, Keeanu Benton and Yahya Black. Meanwhile, the Cowboys finally revive their ground game, eclipsing 200 yards with Javonte Williams’ 155‑yard, one‑TD effort— the first 150‑yard rush for Dallas since 2018. The article also notes the Dolphins’ explosive offense and rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy giving the Giants a new look. These five takeaways underline shifting strengths across the league as teams fight for identity and playoff positioning.
Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown missed Thursday practice after his knee issue flared up, leaving his availability for Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins uncertain. The 29‑year‑old, acquired in a trade for a 2028 first‑ and 2027 fifth‑round pick, has a known degenerative knee condition that the team evaluated before the deal. He’s also battling a lingering high‑ankle sprain from the season opener and has recorded only six catches for 75 yards since returning in Week 6. Patriots’ receiver depth is now limited to DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III.
The Patriots face a new dilemma ahead of Week 8 as star receiver A.J. Brown skips Thursday practice, raising doubts about his availability for Sunday’s 4:25 p.m. ET clash with the Miami Dolphins. Brown, who only returned from IR after a Week 1 ankle injury, has been a limited participant and recently struggled with drops in the win over the Jets. ESPN’s Mark Reiss reports a fresh knee concern, suggesting the Dolphins could be the first game Brown misses this season. The injury adds pressure on New England after last week’s loss to Chicago.
The Dallas Cowboys, struggling with a league‑worst seven sacks and allowing 26 points per game by Week 8, are exploring a cap‑friendly pass‑rush upgrade. While veteran Josh Sweat remains a popular target, a new rumor pins the Miami Dolphins’ 23‑year‑old defensive end Chop Robinson as a viable alternative. Robinson, a 2024 first‑round pick, logged six sacks in his rookie season and is under a $4.7 million contract with a fifth‑year option still on the books. However, Dolphins insider Tom Pelissero warns the trade could be tough, as Miami is reluctant to part with the young talent amid their rebuild.
After a disappointing 2026 loss to the Miami Dolphins, Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson publicly denied trade rumors, saying he wants to stay and help the team win. Wilson, a three‑time 1,000‑yard receiver, expressed frustration with his limited target share but affirmed his commitment to New York. The Jets, which traded Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams last season, consider Wilson untouchable and vital for the future quarterback they plan to draft. His patience may wear thin if the Jets don’t improve soon.
The Patriots travel to Miami for Week 8 after a loss in Chicago, and Pats Pulpit predicts they have the edge. Quarterback Drake Maye’s pass offense posts the league‑best 0.423 dropback EPA since Week 4, while Miami’s pass defense ranks 23rd, giving New England a strong aerial advantage. Although the Patriots’ pass defense has struggled, the Dolphins’ passing attack lacks the depth to exploit it. The run game favors Miami, with Ollie Gordon II’s 100‑yard performances, but New England’s run defense has kept opponents under 100 yards so far. Special‑teams matchups are fairly even, and veteran coaches Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels add experience. Overall, the analysis leans toward a Patriots win.
The Dolphins host the Patriots in Week 8 on November 24, with the game airing locally on CBS for Florida and New England markets. Miami and surrounding areas (Miami, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers) will see the matchup, while the rest of the nation watches the Chiefs–Broncos game. CBS also airs the Bills‑Ravens game in South Florida and the Colts‑Jaguars game up the Panhandle; FOX splits the rest of the state's slate, showing Raiders‑Jets, Vikings‑Lions, Falcons‑Buccaneers, and Cardinals‑Cowboys. Sunday Night Football features the Eagles at Commanders. The article details broadcast regions and other games across the state.
The Miami Dolphins face a steep challenge against the Patriots, but these three keys could give them a blueprint for pulling off a massive upset.
Former Indiana wideout Omar Cooper Jr. earns his second consecutive Pepsi Rookie of the Week award after a 115-yard, one‑touchdown performance with five catches versus the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 25. The Jets rookie follows a 103‑yard, one‑touchdown game against New England the week prior, becoming only the eighth player since the AFL‑NFL merger to post 100+ receiving yards in two of his first three career games and the first Jet to do so. The back‑to‑back feats put Cooper in early conversation for NFL Rookie of the Year.
The Patriots face the Dolphins in Week 8 with a clear game plan: establish the run, especially leaning on Rhamondre Stevenson after a lackluster ground game against the Bears. Analysts debate New England's ability to dominate the line against Miami's strong run defense, while turnovers remain a concern. The injury report shows a healthier roster, including CB Carlton Davis's return, and the team is gearing up for a Rob Gronkowski induction on Nov. 7. Experts from the Patriots Pulpit break down key matchups, trade‑deadline needs, and the potential role for TreVeyon Henderson as New England looks to secure a decisive win in Miami on Sunday.
After a 3‑0 start, the Las Vegas Raiders have dropped four straight, falling to Kansas City, New England, Buffalo and Los Angeles. Defensive end Maxx Crosby blames the run‑defense collapse on a lack of attitude and energy, urging teammates to “whoop a‑**” and improve second‑half effort. He says the Raiders must study film and revive the aggression that fueled early wins. The Raiders aim to snap the skid against the New York Jets on Sunday before a daunting stretch that includes the 49ers, Seahawks, Broncos and Browns.
Seattle has held opposing wide receivers to 642 yards in seven games, a problem for Rome Odunze before Chicago’s Monday night trip.
The Miami Dolphins claim former Seattle Seahawks third‑round pick offensive guard Christian Hayles off waivers, beating the Baltimore Ravens due to higher waiver priority. Hayles, a 2024 third‑rounder who started five games for Seattle this season, becomes Miami’s next guard after the Seahawks traded for Quenton Nelson. To make room, the Dolphins released rookie rookie DJ Campbell (200th overall, 2026). With left guard Kadyn Proctor in concussion protocol, Hayles joins a line featuring Jonah Savaiinaea, Caedan Wallace and Jarrett Kingston as Miami prepares for a Sunday matchup against the New England Patriots.
The Miami Dolphins could use the trade deadline to get ahead of 2027 free agency by targeting young defensive standouts.
Buffalo Rumblings unveils APEX (Actual Passing vs. Expectation), a new NFL metric that rates each pass‑game against the quality of defenses faced. By comparing a quarterback’s EPA per dropback to the baseline EPA allowed by that defense, APEX reveals when a "good" EPA figure is actually under‑performing and vice‑versa. After seven weeks, the Bills lead the rankings, while Miami’s 1‑5 record looks harsher than its 18th‑place APEX suggests. Notable shifts include Houston’s C.J. Stroud slipping to 14th in APEX and the Cardinals rising to 21st despite a low EPA rank. The metric aims to give a fairer snapshot of pass‑game effectiveness across the season.
Miami Dolphins LB Jordyn Brooks makes it clear that this team believes they can win every game, no matter how impossible it sounds.
The Patriots will meet Miami’s rookie quarterback Malik Willis for the first time on Sunday, but New England’s coach Mike Vrabel is no stranger to him. Vrabel drafted Willis in the third round for the Titans in 2022 and has followed his progress through a brief stint in Tennessee, a trade to Green Bay, and a three‑year, $67.5 million deal with the Dolphins. Willis has posted modest numbers — 1,057 passing yards, four TDs, four picks and three rushing scores — while Miami sits 5‑1, but Vrabel believes his arm strength and mobility are finally clicking.
The Los Angeles Chargers enter Week 8 with a 0-6 record and the league's worst offense, prompting quarterback Justin Herbert to defend offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. Despite high hopes after hiring McDaniel, the Chargers rank 28th in yards (287.2 per game), last in EPA per play (-0.26), and score just 15 points per game. Herbert, sacked 21 times and pressured on 42.1% of dropbacks, says the blame lies with the entire offense, not the coach. The team aims to rebound against the Rams on Sunday.
Gridiron Experts breaks down the final fantasy‑football trade window, highlighting low‑priced buy targets and overvalued sell‑offs for weeks 8‑14. The article warns against early‑season impulse trades like a Sam LaPorta‑Matthew Golden for Saquon Barkley swap and points to players whose workload exceeds their points: Chase Brown (CIN RB), Ollie Gordon II (MIA RB), DeVonta Smith (PHI WR) and Michael Wilson (ARI WR). Each prospect includes role, injury and depth‑chart context, plus timing tips around bye weeks. Readers learn which high‑volume backs and WRs to snag now and which underperformers to cash out before the deadline.
Taylor Kyles (CLNS Media) and Mike Kadlick (SI) go live from Gillette Stadium to break down the Patriots’ first practice of Dolphins week, then shift to a trade‑watch segment spotlighting potential New England targets such as wide receiver Josh Downs. The discussion offers insight into the team’s preparation and speculative roster moves ahead of the upcoming game.