Boston.com
LAST MEETING: Oct. 10; Patriots, 24-10 at Gillette Stadium.
Tom Brady threw for two touchdowns despite going only 7-for-19 for 76 yards -- his worst statistical game as a pro -- and Corey Dillon carried 18 times for 94 yards as New England won its NFL-record 19th consecutive game.
SERIES: Miami leads, 44-31.
STREAKS: New England has won the last four meetings between the teams.
INJURY SITUATION
MIAMI DOLPHINS - OUT: LB Tony Bua (quadricep) DOUBTFUL: LB Eddie Moore (knee/calf); LB Zach Thomas (hamstring) PROBABLE: DE David Bowens (back); QB A.J. Feeley (pectoral); K Olindo Mare (right calf); T Damion McIntosh (back/ankle); RB Sammy Morris (ribs); DT Bryan Robinson (knee/shin); T John St. Clair (knee); LB Renauld Williams (jaw); INJURED RESERVE: S Yeremiah Bell (fibula); LB Junior Seau (pectoral); DT Tim Bowens (back); RB Lamar Gordon (shoulder); DT Larry Chester (knee); S Chris Akins (knee); WR David Boston (knee); WR Kendall Newson (Achilles); CB Alphonso Roundtree (ankle); G Eric Wilson (knee); S Shawn Wooden (back); QB Jay Fiedler (neck).
PATRIOTS - DOUBTFUL: CB Ty Law (foot); S Dexter Reid (shoulder); QUESTIONABLE: LB Matt Chatham (hamstring); CB Randall Gay (arm); WR David Givens (ankle); TE Daniel Graham (rib); WR Bethel Johnson (thigh); LB Roman Phifer (calf); CB Asante Samuel (shoulder); PROBABLE: QB Tom Brady (right shoulder); S Rodney Harrison (flu); QB Jim Miller (right shoulder); INJURED RESERVE: CB Tyrone Poole (knee), T Tom Ashworth (back); T Adrian Klemm; DE Rodney Bailey (Achilles); TE Zeron Flemister (Achilles); Guss Scott (knee); TE Ben Watson (knee); WR P.K. Sam (groin); DL Dan Klecko (knee).
POSITION BREAKDOWNS
WHEN THE PATRIOTS RUN: Edge New England
The Miami Dolphins are one of the lowest-rated teams in the NFL in stopping the run, but that number can be deceiving. Because of its woeful offense, Miami often trails late in games, and opposing teams are content to keep the ball on the ground and run out the clock. Also, the Miami offense has a hard time staying on the field, meaning the defense is forced to spend a long time out on the field. The Dolphins defense is a speedy group, but the Patriots offensive line can usually manhandle them up front. Miami will be without linebackers Zach Thomas and Junior Seau, making them even more ineffective against the run. Corey Dillon has rushed for 1,309 yards thus far, and is 127 yards short of a career high and 178 yards short of the Patriots’ single-season rushing record.
New England rushing offense: 8th in the NFL, 129.2 yards per game
Miami rushing defense: 28th in the NFL, 138.8 yards per game.
WHEN THE PATRIOTS PASS: Edge New England
The Dolphins can have a suffocating pass defense at times. Cornerbacks Patrick Surtain and Sam Madison are two of the best in the game. They can be downright stifling against the Patriots. While they are blanketing the receivers, defensive end Jason Taylor can bring the heat with the best of them. A ferocious pass-rusher, Taylor will be going up against massive offensive tackle Matt Light, and tends to win that battle. The Patriots counter by keeping burly tight end Daniel Graham in to help with pass protection. Graham did not play last week and is listed as questionable again this week. Christian Fauria and Jed Weaver will be asked to fill in. Weaver is the bigger body and better blocker of the two, but Fauria is the better receiver. That will be crucial, as the Dolphins like to have their linebackers pick up the tight ends on pass coverage. With Seau and Thomas out, Fauria will be working on second and third-string linebackers and could have a big receiving day.
New England passing offense: 11th in the NFL, 226.4 yards per game.
Miami passing defense: 2nd in the NFL, 165.5 yards per game.
WHEN THE DOLPHINS RUN: Edge New England
We all know the Ricky Williams story by now. If you didn't before this weekend, you certainly do now after CBS talked ad nauseam as they promoted Mike Wallace's interview with Williams on 60 Minutes last night. Viewers tuned in to learn that Williams stopped playing to hear the whispers of his soul. That's more noise than the Dolpihns' rushing attack has made all season. Last check had someone named Sammy Morris leading the team in rushing with 338 yards and three touchdowns. It's difficult to imagine Miami having success against the Patriots defense, especially since the front seven has been healthy for the most part. For all of the injuries in the secondary, they have still done well against the run. Safety Rodney Harrison is having another strong year and leads the team in tackles.
Miami rushing offense: 31st in the NFL, 82.6 yards per game.
New England rushing defense: 9th in the NFL, 103 yards per game.
WHEN THE DOLPHINS PASS: Edge New England
Tight end Randy McMichael can pose problems for the Patriots. Last year in Miami, he battled the entire game with Harrison, and seemed to get the better of it. Earlier this season, the Pats held him in check with four receptions and 62 yards. The problem for Miami has been the musical chairs at the quarterback position. That should not be the case this week as Jay Fiedler is out with a neck injury. That leaves A.J. Feely, who is banged up as well, in by default. With the Patriots’ relentless pass rush, Feely might not make it through the game. Although wide receiver David Boston has missed the entire season, Feely still has Chris Chambers and Marty Booker to throw to, and he will be doing it against the Patriots’ injury-weakened secondary. In the middle of last week, there were grounds for optimism as Tyrone Poole was starting to get some playing time. Meanwhile, Ty Law was moved from out to doubtful on the injury report. Those positive vibes disappeared though when the Patriots placed Poole on the injured reserve list, losing him for the year. Still, the Patriots have survived thus far, and should do so again.
Miami passing offense: 21st in the NFL, 190.3 yards per game.
New England passing defense: 17th in the NFL, 215.8 yards per game.
BOTTOM LINE: Don't expect Miami to roll over. It's Monday Night Football, and this is their last hurrah. They would like nothing better than to turn the tables on the Patriots and ruin New England's hopes of achieving homefield advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. Sure, Miami has only two wins all year, but they haven't mailed it in like the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers. Among those 11 losses are some nail-biters that had Miami scratching and clawing until the bitter end. This will be a battle for a while, but the Patriots will prevail in the end.
PREDICTION: Patriots 27, Dolphins 16
LAST MEETING: Oct. 10; Patriots, 24-10 at Gillette Stadium.
Tom Brady threw for two touchdowns despite going only 7-for-19 for 76 yards -- his worst statistical game as a pro -- and Corey Dillon carried 18 times for 94 yards as New England won its NFL-record 19th consecutive game.
SERIES: Miami leads, 44-31.
STREAKS: New England has won the last four meetings between the teams.
INJURY SITUATION
MIAMI DOLPHINS - OUT: LB Tony Bua (quadricep) DOUBTFUL: LB Eddie Moore (knee/calf); LB Zach Thomas (hamstring) PROBABLE: DE David Bowens (back); QB A.J. Feeley (pectoral); K Olindo Mare (right calf); T Damion McIntosh (back/ankle); RB Sammy Morris (ribs); DT Bryan Robinson (knee/shin); T John St. Clair (knee); LB Renauld Williams (jaw); INJURED RESERVE: S Yeremiah Bell (fibula); LB Junior Seau (pectoral); DT Tim Bowens (back); RB Lamar Gordon (shoulder); DT Larry Chester (knee); S Chris Akins (knee); WR David Boston (knee); WR Kendall Newson (Achilles); CB Alphonso Roundtree (ankle); G Eric Wilson (knee); S Shawn Wooden (back); QB Jay Fiedler (neck).
PATRIOTS - DOUBTFUL: CB Ty Law (foot); S Dexter Reid (shoulder); QUESTIONABLE: LB Matt Chatham (hamstring); CB Randall Gay (arm); WR David Givens (ankle); TE Daniel Graham (rib); WR Bethel Johnson (thigh); LB Roman Phifer (calf); CB Asante Samuel (shoulder); PROBABLE: QB Tom Brady (right shoulder); S Rodney Harrison (flu); QB Jim Miller (right shoulder); INJURED RESERVE: CB Tyrone Poole (knee), T Tom Ashworth (back); T Adrian Klemm; DE Rodney Bailey (Achilles); TE Zeron Flemister (Achilles); Guss Scott (knee); TE Ben Watson (knee); WR P.K. Sam (groin); DL Dan Klecko (knee).
POSITION BREAKDOWNS
WHEN THE PATRIOTS RUN: Edge New England
The Miami Dolphins are one of the lowest-rated teams in the NFL in stopping the run, but that number can be deceiving. Because of its woeful offense, Miami often trails late in games, and opposing teams are content to keep the ball on the ground and run out the clock. Also, the Miami offense has a hard time staying on the field, meaning the defense is forced to spend a long time out on the field. The Dolphins defense is a speedy group, but the Patriots offensive line can usually manhandle them up front. Miami will be without linebackers Zach Thomas and Junior Seau, making them even more ineffective against the run. Corey Dillon has rushed for 1,309 yards thus far, and is 127 yards short of a career high and 178 yards short of the Patriots’ single-season rushing record.
New England rushing offense: 8th in the NFL, 129.2 yards per game
Miami rushing defense: 28th in the NFL, 138.8 yards per game.
WHEN THE PATRIOTS PASS: Edge New England
The Dolphins can have a suffocating pass defense at times. Cornerbacks Patrick Surtain and Sam Madison are two of the best in the game. They can be downright stifling against the Patriots. While they are blanketing the receivers, defensive end Jason Taylor can bring the heat with the best of them. A ferocious pass-rusher, Taylor will be going up against massive offensive tackle Matt Light, and tends to win that battle. The Patriots counter by keeping burly tight end Daniel Graham in to help with pass protection. Graham did not play last week and is listed as questionable again this week. Christian Fauria and Jed Weaver will be asked to fill in. Weaver is the bigger body and better blocker of the two, but Fauria is the better receiver. That will be crucial, as the Dolphins like to have their linebackers pick up the tight ends on pass coverage. With Seau and Thomas out, Fauria will be working on second and third-string linebackers and could have a big receiving day.
New England passing offense: 11th in the NFL, 226.4 yards per game.
Miami passing defense: 2nd in the NFL, 165.5 yards per game.
WHEN THE DOLPHINS RUN: Edge New England
We all know the Ricky Williams story by now. If you didn't before this weekend, you certainly do now after CBS talked ad nauseam as they promoted Mike Wallace's interview with Williams on 60 Minutes last night. Viewers tuned in to learn that Williams stopped playing to hear the whispers of his soul. That's more noise than the Dolpihns' rushing attack has made all season. Last check had someone named Sammy Morris leading the team in rushing with 338 yards and three touchdowns. It's difficult to imagine Miami having success against the Patriots defense, especially since the front seven has been healthy for the most part. For all of the injuries in the secondary, they have still done well against the run. Safety Rodney Harrison is having another strong year and leads the team in tackles.
Miami rushing offense: 31st in the NFL, 82.6 yards per game.
New England rushing defense: 9th in the NFL, 103 yards per game.
WHEN THE DOLPHINS PASS: Edge New England
Tight end Randy McMichael can pose problems for the Patriots. Last year in Miami, he battled the entire game with Harrison, and seemed to get the better of it. Earlier this season, the Pats held him in check with four receptions and 62 yards. The problem for Miami has been the musical chairs at the quarterback position. That should not be the case this week as Jay Fiedler is out with a neck injury. That leaves A.J. Feely, who is banged up as well, in by default. With the Patriots’ relentless pass rush, Feely might not make it through the game. Although wide receiver David Boston has missed the entire season, Feely still has Chris Chambers and Marty Booker to throw to, and he will be doing it against the Patriots’ injury-weakened secondary. In the middle of last week, there were grounds for optimism as Tyrone Poole was starting to get some playing time. Meanwhile, Ty Law was moved from out to doubtful on the injury report. Those positive vibes disappeared though when the Patriots placed Poole on the injured reserve list, losing him for the year. Still, the Patriots have survived thus far, and should do so again.
Miami passing offense: 21st in the NFL, 190.3 yards per game.
New England passing defense: 17th in the NFL, 215.8 yards per game.
BOTTOM LINE: Don't expect Miami to roll over. It's Monday Night Football, and this is their last hurrah. They would like nothing better than to turn the tables on the Patriots and ruin New England's hopes of achieving homefield advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. Sure, Miami has only two wins all year, but they haven't mailed it in like the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers. Among those 11 losses are some nail-biters that had Miami scratching and clawing until the bitter end. This will be a battle for a while, but the Patriots will prevail in the end.
PREDICTION: Patriots 27, Dolphins 16
