Jerod Mayo called an audible as the Patriots prepared to take on the Dolphins.

Miami is a handful for New England on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium. Recent results aside — the Dolphins are rising after back-to-back wins — Mike McDaniel’s group includes several players who could be matchup nightmares because of their lightning speed.

In an effort to prepare for the pace improvement, Mayo changed the way the Patriots practiced Wednesday.

“Some players were surprised when Mayo had no players in full pads for the first Wednesday practice last week,” ESPN’s Mike Reiss wrote in a column published Sunday. “One player commented that Sunday’s game against the Dolphins is more about speed, so lightening the load would ideally leave them best prepared to take on the challenge in that area.

“Players expected to be back in the pads next Wednesday knowing a more physical run-based team in the Colts is coming to town.”

The Dolphins totaled nearly 400 yards when the division rivals met in Week 5 despite being quarterbacked by Tyler Huntley. Tua Tagovailoa clearly takes Miami’s offense to another level, so Mayo was wise to take appropriate precautions.

Oddsmakers don’t expect New England’s preparation to pay off, however, as the Finns are favored by more than a touchdown at FanDuel Sportsbook.