Vote: Homegrown Legends Tournament Bracket, Round 1

Vote for which cities and states produce the best football talent in Touchdown Wire’s Homegrown Legends tournament bracket.

2. Miami vs. 15. New England

Miami Dolphins Homegrown Legends
Coley Cleary / USA TODAY Sports Media Group illustration

How Miami can win: The Dolphins’ roster offers far more talent than what you see in New England, and that’s where this team should make its biggest difference. With playmakers such as Sean Taylor, Patrick Peterson, Derrick Thomas and Joey Bosa on defense, Miami should have an overwhelming advantage. Defensively, New England doesn’t have the horses in the secondary to answer the spacing issues that Miami’s roster can create with its spread offense and the NFL’s reigning Most Valuable Player, Lamar Jackson. — Kyle Crabbs, Dolphins Wire

New England Patriots Homegrown Legends
Coley Cleary / USA TODAY Sports Media Group illustration

How New England can win: With running back Mark van Eeghen and fullback Anthony Sherman, the Patriots are going to hammer Miami with their run game, powered by two Hall of Famers on the offensive line (Ed Healey and Joe Scibelli). QB Matt Hasselbeck also has physical TE Mark Bavaro as a nice safety net. The defense should have a relentless pass-rush, with Howie Long and Dwight Freeney working as a devastating duo. They’ll do their part to help a secondary that boasts cornerback Byron Jones and Eugene Robinson. — Henry McKenna, Patriots Wire

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Other matchups:

Hou vs Den / LAC vs Buf / Jax vs KC / Cin vs Ten / Pit vs Bal / Cle vs Ind / NYJ vs LV // Dal vs Min / Was vs NYG / Atl vs TB / SF vs Sea / Car vs Ari / LAR vs GB / Phi vs Det / NO vs Chi