Miami vs. Pats

[Pats2006]

Ok, what do you guys think is going to happen on Monday night?

This is a huge game for both Miami and NE. Wile Miami is getting better every week the Patriots are still trying to find there defense.

[MikeO]

I see a lot of points scored. I don't think either defense is that good.

[Dave Gray]

I'm concerned for Miami.  I think that we've not yet put it all together.  Just when you think the offense sucks and the D is good, they flip it on you.

And I fully expect to lose the field position game all day long, forcing us to drive the full length of the field.

[Pappy13]

I'm concerned for Miami.  I think that we've not yet put it all together.  Just when you think the offense sucks and the D is good, they flip it on you.

Get used to it cuz I think you are gonna see it for awhile.  This is a very young team and that usually means inconsistent.  The good news is that as all these young players mature, we should have a solid base of good players.  Also be encouraged by the fact that Miami is in the tough part of it's schedule.  If they are 4-4 half way through the year, that will be okay, because there's a very good chance of going like 6-2 in the last half.  I'd love to be like 5-3, but I'll take 4-4.

[Pats2006]

Henny can light it up if Miami let's him. He did it last year. Run or pass you guys will be in good shape against the struggling pats d. It could passable be a high scoring game. Look how many points buffalo put up against the pats. Brown could have a big game too. Should be a good Monday night game. The winner could possibly win the division. That Jets loss was a big loss for both teams.

[Tenshot13]

I'm worried about the Pats two new stud TE's eating up our defense.  I think MIA can put up just as many points, so it may come down to the wire.

[BigDaddyFin]

It's going to come down to how well our defense plays against the spread offense.  Tom Brady and co are licking their chops after seeing the game Jason Allen had on film last week.

If our defense corrects its mistakes from last week, we should win the game.  If we get into a shootout, I don't like our chances.  New England just has more experience than we do.

[CF DolFan]

New England hasn't looked good two weeks in a row. It's quite possible they are not the New England of past and we know we are not the same team. We could end up doing very well in this game on both sides of the ball.

[fyo]

I have zero confidence that our offensive and defensive game plans will work.

[Doc-phin]

The Pats' offensive unit is the only unit in this game with true continuity.  There is no reason for me to believe they won't score on us a good bit.  The question is can we control the clock enough with our run game to tire out their defense, keep their offense off the field and give us a chance to win at the end.  I realize that their defensive backs are supposed to be their weakness, but I don't think we are ready to get in a shoot out with their offense and win.  However, I do think that if we keep the score close we can take advantage of this on a final drive type scenario.

Simply put... If we can't run the ball in this game I think we lose.  Anyone have a little scouting report on the Pats run D?

[fyo]

Anyone have a little scouting report on the Pats run D?

The run D has been atrocious the past two weeks. It looked decent against Cedric Benson in week 1, but since then they've allowed consistent yards in addition to long runs.

They are league worst in runs behind right tackle, but sadly that's a really bad match up for the Dolphins. They're 28th in the league when running the ball behind Vernon Carey (22nd in left end runs, which you can thank all the sweeps, reverses, pitches and what-not from last week for).

Fortunately, the Patriots are pretty bad at runs everywhere between the (offensive) tackles, so it should be possible to get some good yardage out of the running game.

The one thing we shouldn't do is more of that end around to the left crap. We've sucked at it and it's the lone strength of the Patriots run D.

Seriously, as long as we pound it behind Incognito and Long, we should be fine.

[Doc-phin]

Thanks FYO.

If it were me, I would strongly consider drooping eight into coverage often throughout this game.  Their O-line isn't great in the run game but they do pass protect well.

Basically I would approach this game as if we were running a Tampa 2 with extra linebacker support on the tightends or slot receivers and keeping three down linemen.  I think our front three are strong enough to delay the running back long enough for our linebackers to read the run off pass coverage and still get there in time.

You could see how faking the blitz really backfired on us in that Jets game and put our safeties and linebackers a step behind in covering the tight end.  I wouldn't even consider trying that this game.  I will also say that I love the idea of matching up Smith on their best receiving tight end.  Smith is the perfect corner for matching up on a tight end.  I realize that this is a bit of a liability against their run, but I think it is worth it in this game.

[Phishfan]

If it were me, I would strongly consider drooping eight into coverage often throughout this game.  Their O-line isn't great in the run game but they do pass protect well.

This has always been a recipe for disaster against New England. I think the way to win is to pressure Brady and hit him in the mouth,ala the new York Giants. Giving Brady time has never really been proven successful.

[Tenshot13]

This has always been a recipe for disaster against New England. I think the way to win is to pressure Brady and hit him in the mouth,ala the new York Giants. Giving Brady time has never really been proven successful.

Agreed.  All the games I remember the phins winning against the pats, JT was terrorizing Brady in the backfield.

[Dave Gray]

I agree.  Don't give him time.  Our secondary isn't good enough to cover guys all the way around the field.  Send the house and make him make mistakes.