Week Nine Gameday Thread--Dolphins (3-4) at Patriots (5-2)

[icecoldbruschi]

AT

Gillette Stadium, 1pm, CBS

Last Meeting: 11/23/08
Patriots 48, Dolphins 28

Keys to the Game:

1. Stop the Wildcat
I think that we are all aware of the damage that the Wildcat formation can do, as Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams tormented us in last year's week three matchup. The Wildcat allows the Dolphins to control the clock and keep the ball in the hands of their premier playmaker. In the teams' second matchup in '08, the Patriots showed that they have the ability to stop the gimmicks. If the Dolphins cannot run effectively, they haven't shown much else on offense to move the ball on this defense.

2. Keep Brady upright
Jason Taylor has been Tom Brady's nightmare since he entered the league and has always been one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. Although JT is 35 years old, he already has 5.5 sacks on the year and forms a formidable duo along with the ever-talkative Joey Porter. Vollmer and Kaczur will certainly have a lot on their plate this weekend.

3. Pressure Henne
Chad Henne has shown me very little to suggest that he is a capable NFL QB. The offensive line has put him under constant pressure and he has very few playmakers at wideout to choose from. If we can get him into 3rd and long, I like our chances.

4. Contain Ted Ginn
Despite his troubles this season, last week's game against the Jets showed just how explosive he is, as he can change the game with one (or in this case, two) plays. Luckily, Stephen Gostkowski has shown a tendency to boom the ball through the end zone for touchbacks on kickoffs and he is going to need to do the same this weekend, although we consistently have strong coverage units anyways.

5. Play with Intensity
This may seem obvious, but we cannot let Miami's record fool us. We should have the mindset going in that not only do we want to beat them, we want to destroy them. Do not forget that this is the same team who embarrassed you on this very field and took our division title from us. We need to take the lead early and never look back.

What's at stake?
The Dolphins are fighting for their lives in this one. A loss would put them three games behind the Patriots and practically eliminate them from winning the division title. At the end of the day, the Patriots could either be one or three games up, a dramatic swing. This game is about sending a message and if we can win this game, I don't see anyone taking the AFC East away from us. This game is also about pride, as the Dolphins came into Gillette last season and embarrassed us. Let's return the favor.

My Prediction: Patriots 31, Dolphins 13

[Sciz]

I see 4 players that worry me on the Dolphins: Brown, Williams, Ginn, and Taylor. I think last week's domination of the Wildcat will help the Pats stop it this week. And the Pats are gonna score plenty, so they'll be kicking to Ginn a lot

[PatsDynasty21]

Good write-up. I can't wait for this game. If we get up big early, it's over. Miami doesn't have the passing game to keep up with our high-scoring offense.

It all comes down to shutting down the wildcat and keeping Brady on his feet, though.
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BBL on the sig

[Deadpulse]

Nice write up ICB. #1 should be Stop the Wildcat/Running game. The way I see the game plan going is the Patriots stack the box to stop the run until they can hang up a 2-3 possession lead at which point they will start putting the blitz on Henne when they need to pass to catch up.

Im interested to see how we line up in 4 WR sets. Our healthy receivers are Moss, Welker, Aiken and Tate. Does Tate play the slot opposite Welker? Will Edelman be healthy? Will Nunn come off ps? Or will we just not run 3 sets and use Watson as that 4th much more? Personally I see a big game for Ben Watson Sunday.
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[SoxNats07]

I'm thinking it'll be closer than that. I'd guess 24-13.
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[Deets]

The only thing I see wrong is that you called Joey Porter formidable. I'd love to leave him by the side of the road in a cardboard box with a "FREE TO A GOOD HOME" sign next to it
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FF Member #67

[SatireSphere]

[Welsh Patriot]

Nice write up, hopefully the wildcat is finally dying and hopefully we shut it down like the Jets did last week.

I'm going 34-10 Pats
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NFL: New England Patriots
Soccer: Swansea City
NCAA: Auburn Tigers

[Deets]

[InRodWeRust]

I'm actually going to this game and I am pumped! I'm planning on taking at least a few hundred pictures. It's going to be early afternoon so hopefully I'll have plenty of sunlight so I won't have any blurry/grainy pictures at all this time. I'm hoping for no rain either; that would be a fun killer
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Do you remember when the Pats were 1-15?

[Welsh Patriot]

Is it your first game at Gillette?...I hope it snows
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NFL: New England Patriots
Soccer: Swansea City
NCAA: Auburn Tigers

[Wilshirex9]

[Welsh Patriot]

It says on this upper 50's full sun

http://www.wunderground.com/US/MA/Foxboro.html
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NFL: New England Patriots
Soccer: Swansea City
NCAA: Auburn Tigers

[PatsDynasty21]

[NextBigThing]

Getting Moss inolved Early will be critical. The Dolphins dont really have a passing game; getting a 2 possession lead early would force them forget their wildcat, and to pass on our beastly secondary and essentially give us the game.

Randy Moss as a Patriot vs. the Dolphins: 4 games, 21 catches, 322 yards, 7 touchdowns (including those 2 ridiculous in 2007, and the 3 he caught last year). The Pats would be wise to force deep balls to Moss early ala Tennessee. If they're successful, the game will be over as theyll be able to dictate the defense the rest of the day.

I say the 1st half should be a combo of pounding Maroney and play action bombs to Moss or screens to Welker. Anything else would unnessecary
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