Dolphins-Patriots Preview

 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

• Countdown Daily Recap: Dolphins-Patriots

SCOUTING REPORT

Dolphins-Patriots: 10 observations After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Dolphins-Patriots matchup. 1. Miami needs to utilize the Wildcat early and often: The Dolphins weren't as effective in their Week 8 victory and will need to get it going in Foxborough to have a chance to come away with a win. Miami is built to pound the football and New England was the first club to be exposed (2008) against the Wildcat, so it's likely to be a focal point for the Dolphins' offense.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
MIA	5-5	242	244	3-2	2-3	3-1	3-3
NWE	7-3	290	164	6-0	1-3	3-1	5-3
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Miami Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Henne 58.3 1337 6 4 Pennin... 68.9 413 1 2

New England Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Brady 66.4 3049 20 6 Hoyer 81.8 52 0 0

Miami Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Willia... 127 677 5.3 8 Brown 147 648 4.4 8

New England Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Marone... 116 455 3.9 6 Taylor 45 201 4.5 2

Miami Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Bess 46 397 8.6 0 Camari... 28 281 10.0 0

New England Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Moss 63 925 14.7 8 Welker 79 854 10.8 4

Full Player Stats: Miami | New England

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	MIA	317.0
	NWE	416.0
Yards Passing	MIA	161.2
	NWE	302.3
Yards Rushing	MIA	156.0
	NWE	113.8
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	MIA	341.5
	NWE	296.7
Pass Yds Allowed	MIA	235.6
	NWE	187.3
Rush Yds Allowed	MIA	105.9
	NWE	109.4

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
New England leads 11-6
Nov 23, 2008	MIA 28, @NWE 48
Sep 21, 2008	MIA 38, NWE 13
Dec 23, 2007	MIA 7, NWE 28
Oct 21, 2007	MIA 28, @NWE 49
Dec 10, 2006	MIA 21, @NWE 0
Oct 8, 2006	MIA 10, NWE 20
Jan 1, 2006	MIA 28, NWE 26
Nov 13, 2005	MIA 16, @NWE 23
Dec 20, 2004	MIA 29, @NWE 28
Oct 10, 2004	MIA 10, NWE 24
Dec 7, 2003	MIA 0, NWE 12
Oct 19, 2003	MIA 13, @NWE 19
Dec 29, 2002	MIA 24, NWE 27
Oct 6, 2002	MIA 26, @NWE 13
Dec 22, 2001	MIA 13, NWE 20
Oct 7, 2001	MIA 30, @NWE 10

The New England Patriots played more like the franchise's dominating 2007 version in two lopsided victories before a bye week, and now they want to show their high-powered attack can keep clicking against tougher competition.

They'll also have a few things to prove Sunday to the Miami Dolphins, whose blowout victory in Foxborough last year keyed their AFC East title.

The Patriots can further reassert their control over the division they've won six times this decade as they face the Dolphins, who try for a second straight road win as they attempt to resurrect their season.

New England's uneven start seems like a distant memory after the Patriots (5-2) outscored their last two opponents by a combined 94-7, with resurgent quarterback Tom Brady throwing nine touchdown passes.

Wes Welker and Randy Moss combined for 33 catches and six TDs in those games as Brady brought back memories of two years ago, when he threw for an NFL-record 50 touchdowns during a 16-0 regular season. He missed nearly all of last year with a major knee injury.

"For the most part, guys are in the spots where they need to be," Brady said Wednesday. "We have a pretty good understanding how we're going to attack people. I think everyone's excited for what's ahead."

Both Tennessee and Tampa Bay were winless at the time of New England's blowout victories, and the Patriots may find things a bit tougher after their return from the 35-7 win over the Buccaneers in London.

Their November slate includes visits to unbeaten teams Indianapolis and New Orleans and division games against the New York Jets and Miami (3-4).

"There's obviously some great teams," Welker said. "That's the way it is week in and week out, but especially this next month, so we're definitely going to stay on top of our game."

New England's defense was surprised by Miami's wildcat formation at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 21, 2008, giving up 461 total yards in a 38-13 loss that ended the Patriots' league-record 21-game winning streak in the regular season.

They avenged that loss with a 48-28 win at Miami on Nov. 23, but both teams finished 11-5 and the Dolphins won the division based on a better conference record while New England missed the playoffs.

Outspoken linebacker Joey Porter was sure to announce before the season that the Dolphins are still "champions until proven otherwise" in the division, but they'll fall three games behind with a loss Sunday.

Miami could have been in even worse shape if not for a 30-25 road win over the Jets last Sunday. Although the Dolphins mustered just 104 yards from scrimmage, they scored 21 points in one third-quarter stretch without the offense touching the ball.

Ted Ginn scored on two kickoff returns of at least 100 yards, and Jason Taylor had the other touchdown on a 48-yard fumble return as the Dolphins continued to rebound from their 0-3 start.

With the run-heavy attack out of the wildcat faltering lately, the Dolphins may need to find more balance offensively if they're going to win for the fourth time in five games.

"We just need to get better overall against an eight-man front," said quarterback Chad Henne, who will face the Patriots for the first time. "I don't think overall we executed -- the running game or the passing game."

The Patriots have been working with a patchwork defense after Richard Seymour and Mike Vrabel were traded and Rodney Harrison and Tedy Bruschi retired. New England also is missing defensive end Jarvis Green after he had minor knee surgery, but coach Bill Belichick said the team will be ready for whichever strategy the Dolphins offense uses.

"They give you a lot of stuff to defend and I'm sure that we'll need a lot of different options to handle the variations that they show," Belichick said.

New England also could remain without left tackle Matt Light (knee) and running backs Fred Taylor (ankle) and Sammy Morris (knee).

While the Patriots won five straight AFC East crowns before last season, Miami has often presented problems for New England this decade, going a respectable 8-10 in the series since Belichick took over in 2000.

The meetings have taken on an extra dimension since Bill Parcells, the former Patriots coach and Belichick mentor, joined Miami's front office in 2007, and Belichick said the Dolphins' roster has Parcells "stamped all over it."

"They are a big, powerful team," Belichick said. "... That's what Bill believes in and I think he has a great philosophy. And it works for him. And it should work."

Bills sign Simmons to help injury-ridden line

The Buffalo Bills began reinforcing their injury-depleted offensive line by signing veteran guard Kendall Simmons.

Vikings-Cards Dec. 6 game flexed to nighttime

The NFL has moved the Minnesota at Arizona game to the night slot on Dec. 6 under its flexible scheduling policy.

2009 NFL Power Rankings: Week 12

Week 12 of the latest ESPN.com NFL Power Rankings reveals a matchup of the Nos. 1 and 4 teams.

Patriots mailbag: Early thoughts on Pats-Saints

This week's Pats mailbag takes an early look at Monday's game vs. the Saints.

Message from Dolphins' Chad Pennington: I don't Twitter

Your vote has been counted, thank you for voting. BY JEFF DARLINGTON jdarlington@MiamiHerald.com In case you were wondering, Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington didn't put down a 40-ounce Porterhouse, two baked potatoes, zucchini and a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon for dinner last Thursday night.

Miami Dolphins linebacker Matt Roth learning from veterans

After a season of learning a complex new position on the fly while hampered with a torn groin, Matt Roth watched Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland beef up an already overflowing linebacking corps.

Ronnie Brown has something to prove with Miami Dolphins this season

Ronnie Brown is a quality NFL running back. But he might have to be more than that - maybe a lot more than that - if he wants to be the featured back in the Dolphins' offense beyond the 2009 season.

Miami Dolphins' Will Allen more than mentor to young cornerbacks

One of Tony Sparano's pet expressions is that he is more concerned about getting the "right 53 players'' on the team, not necessarily the best.

Jake Long's road with Miami Dolphins just beginning

Jake Long never looked overwhelmed in 2008, at least off the field. Not around barking coaches or testing veterans at training camp.

Rodney Harrison set to tackle NBC gig

Rodney Harrison [ stats ] is ready to begin the next phase of his life. One of the most storied players in Patriots [ team stats ] history, Harrison will be introduced as the newest member of NBC's broadcast team during a conference call tomorrow, according to a source with knowledge of Harrison's plans.

Jim Donaldson: It's okay to to be optimistic about the 2009 Pats' offense, but let's be realistic

They are more than merely workouts, these sessions in which the Patriots are participating on the grass field in the southern shadow of Gillette Stadium.

Vince Wilfork a no-show again

Patriots [ team stats ] nose tackle Vince Wilfork [ stats ] is scheduled to appear at an event in support of his diabetes charity tomorrow.

Patriots.com News Blitz

Maroney talks about being healthy and Crable and Springs reflect on being back in action.

Patriots re-sign punter Tom Malone

The Patriots announced that they have re-signed punter Tom Malone today. Malone joins veteran Chris Hanson on the roster at the punter spot.