Entering Week 12, the Patriots rank 30th in frequency of play-action passes, while Drake Maye ranks 33rd of 36 quarterbacks (17.7 percent) and Jacoby Brissett ranks 36th (13.4 percent).

Dugger will be paramount in limiting Hill and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and in stopping speedy running backs De’Von Achane, Raheem Mostert and Jaylen Wright. The Patriots will likely have to go lighter on defense to account for the Dolphins’ speed. That could result in more snaps in the box for Dugger, who can’t keep whiffing on tackles.

While the postseason is out of the question, the New England Patriots still have six games left on their 2024 regular season slate.