What happened: New England dialed up play-action on just 5.7% of its dropbacks during the 30-24 loss at the Chicago Bears on Oct. 22, the lowest rate of coach Mike Vrabel's tenure, per Mike Reiss and ESPN Research. That conservative approach now meets the league's most frequently targeted play-action defense in the Miami Dolphins. Opponents have used play-action against Miami on 32.6% of dropbacks and completed 83.3% of those throws, both the highest rates in the NFL.

Why it matters: Sitting at 4-3 and eighth in the conference standings after the loss in Chicago, the Patriots have a clear schematic opening to lean back into play-action this week. Miami enters at 1-5 and 14th in the conference despite snapping its skid with a 28-25 road victory on Oct. 25, while Chicago improved to 5-2 and holds the fifth seed.

What to watch: New England continues midweek practice preparations Wednesday for its upcoming matchup with Miami ahead of the Nov. 10 NFL trade deadline.