Keys to the game

[MikeO]

No, I meant exactly what I said.

Please refer to the 2003 AFC Championship game between the Patriots and the Colts.

Belichek went for it on fourth and 1 deep in his own territory very early in the game.

Someone was trying to bail you out and and help you and you put your foot even deeper in your mouth. It's a moronic opinion to have

[dolphins4life]

^^^^^^^^^^

And Belichek has won four super bowls, and our beloved team has had two playoff appearances in that span.

And you are saying that he (and I) are the morons?

[dolphins4life]

Someone was trying to bail you out and and help you and you put your foot even deeper in your mouth. It's a moronic opinion to have

Have you ever heard the saying, desperate times require desperate measures?

I am putting it out there right now.  To win this game the Dolphins are going to have to convert at least one fourth down in their own territory early in the game.

[MikeO]

^^^^^^^^^^

And Belichek has won four super bowls, and our beloved team has had two playoff appearances in that span.

And you are saying that he (and I) are the morons?

If this practice of going for it on 4th down in your own territory early in games works so well......how come nobody else does it? And you have only 1 example from 12 years ago as your only proof? You make it sound like Bill Belichick does this every week!  Understand why its moronic!

[mecadonzilla]

The Pats also went for it on 4th and short in their own territory against the Colts back in 2009.  That decision cost them the game, and at the time, was derided as one of the worst decisions Belichick has ever made.

The problem is D4L doesn't understand what will happen when the team doesn't convert.  Someone has spent too much time playing Madden.  Real life has consequences for making bad decisions, and the game's AI sucks.  He still thinks it was a mistake for the Dolphins to punt on 4th & 10 on their own 20 against this team last year.  Yes, the Dolphins ultimately gave up a TD on the ensuing drive, but handing the team a first down on your own 20 is act of total desperation and should be saved for the final moments of a game.  Had they gone for it and failed (which was a certainty), all it meant was the Patriots would have scored significantly sooner. 

Going for it and failing is the exact same thing as a turnover (literally, it's a turnover on downs).  You don't want to commit those in your own territory.  Close to the 50 yard line it may be a different decision, but when the shadow of the goal post is on your back, it's a bad call.

[mecadonzilla]

I did not watch the Pats/Jests game last week.  Did the Jests play a physical game?  I bet they did.  Regardless of the answer, I think playing a physical game is a key.  You've got  to rattle Brady's cage (even if you don't sack him, you've got to put him on the ground).  You've got to punish the ball carriers.  You've got to outwork the man in front of you.  It's a lot easier said than done, but it's a simple approach that I think Campbell is trying to instill in his players.  The Pats are a great team, but they are human, and two weeks in a row of physical, in your face football (on a short week especially) can be tough.  You've got to make them pay for every yard.

I don't think you can outsmart this team (especially with our staff), but you can beat them up.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

There was one game in which the punter got injured during warm ups.  So rather than have the kicker attempt a punt NE went for it on fourth and short early in the game and made it. The whole team had a good laugh at all the analysis of why BB went for it.  Brady  revealed the real reason several weeks later.

I think, but am not 100% certain, that is the play dolphins4me is referring to.

[Fau Teixeira]

they key to the game is to score more points than the patriots score

[masterfins]

The real key to the game is showing up in the 4th quarter.  Miami will probably be slightly ahead entering the 4th quarter and that's when Brady's magic comes out.  Strong defense in the 4th qtr led by Suh, Wake, & Vernon pressuring Brady will be the decider.

[Dolphster]

Win or lose, tonight should be an excellent test of whether the Fins are actually improved under Campbell, or have been merely inspired under Campbell.  Being inspired will help you whip up on the Texans and the Titans, but they will have to be actually improved to beat the Pats. 

[dolphins4life]

The Pats also went for it on 4th and short in their own territory against the Colts back in 2009.  That decision cost them the game, and at the time, was derided as one of the worst decisions Belichick has ever made.

The problem is D4L doesn't understand what will happen when the team doesn't convert.  Someone has spent too much time playing Madden.  Real life has consequences for making bad decisions, and the game's AI sucks.  He still thinks it was a mistake for the Dolphins to punt on 4th & 10 on their own 20 against this team last year.  Yes, the Dolphins ultimately gave up a TD on the ensuing drive, but handing the team a first down on your own 20 is act of total desperation and should be saved for the final moments of a game.  Had they gone for it and failed (which was a certainty), all it meant was the Patriots would have scored significantly sooner. 

Going for it and failing is the exact same thing as a turnover (literally, it's a turnover on downs).  You don't want to commit those in your own territory.  Close to the 50 yard line it may be a different decision, but when the shadow of the goal post is on your back, it's a bad call.

I do understand the consequences, and I do not play Madden anymore.

I don't know how I could explain it any clearer.  THEIR BEST CHANCE OF WINNING THAT GAME WAS TO GO FOR IT.  THE CHANCES OF MAKING THAT FIRST DOWN WERE HIGHER THAN THE CHANCES OF STOPPING THE PATRIOTS.

Hoodie, I am referring to the 2003 AFC Championship game, which was played in January of 2004.

And the majority of the Patriots fans I talked to agreed with the decision in 2009, too.  I thought that was the right call to make in that situation too.   Belichek probably does not regret it either.

[dolphins4life]

If this practice of going for it on 4th down in your own territory early in games works so well......how come nobody else does it? And you have only 1 example from 12 years ago as your only proof? You make it sound like Bill Belichick does this every week!  Understand why its moronic!

Peyton did it against the Steelers in the playoffs once too.

[dolphins4life]

Looks like we won't even get to that point tonight.

[MikeO]

Peyton did it against the Steelers in the playoffs once too.

Your point? LOL

It's foolish. You come off as not a very smart person with these silly statements. Just an FYI