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Posted on Sunday, 11.08.09

Who has the edge: Miami Dolphins at N.E. Patriots

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By ARMANDO SALGUERO

asalguero@MiamiHerald.com

WHEN THE DOLPHINS RUN THE BALL

Last season, the Dolphins unveiled their Wildcat package against the Patriots, and it took team by surprise. The Patriots had a bye last week and worked on stopping the Wildcat and will not be surprised by it. That means Miami will have to earn its living by bulldozing the Patriots' vulnerable front instead of tricking it. And the Dolphins probably can do it because New England is 15th in the NFL against the run and gives up an average of 4.5 yards a rush. Miami running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams have a combined 941 rushing yards.

ADVANTAGE: Miami.

WHEN THE DOLPHINS PASS THE BALL

The Dolphins' passing game is coming off its worst performance of the season, totaling only 52 passing yards against the Jets, so the challenge is to find a receiver capable of consistently winning man-to-man matchups when the Patriots blitz or load the scrimmage box with eight players. So far this season, no Miami perimeter player has been able to win those key matchups. The Patriots are likely to mix and try to disguise their coverages in order to confuse Chad Henne. The Jets did that last week, and it worked well.

ADVANTAGE: New England.

WHEN THE PATRIOTS RUN THE BALL

The Patriots pass to set up the run instead of the other way around. That said, the Patriots are not inept at rushing the football. Laurence Maroney averages a respectable 4.3 yards a carry and Kevin Faulk is a dependable change-of-pace back. The Dolphins have struggled some at stopping the run the past three weeks, allowing more than 125 yards in three consecutive games after starting the season by not yielding a 100-yard game in four consecutive games.

ADVANTAGE: Miami.

WHEN THE PATRIOTS PASS THE BALL

Tom Brady lately is playing like the player that won the MVP in 2007, throwing13 touchdown passes against two interceptions in his past five games. He, along with receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker and tight end Ben Watson, form as dangerous a pass offense as the Dolphins have faced this year, and that's saying something considering Miami also played New Orleans and Indianapolis. The Dolphins hope to flush Brady from the pocket to make him uncomfortable. How they will do that is another matter.

ADVANTAGE: New England.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Can Ted Ginn Jr. show consistency now that he has flashed brilliance? Can Davone Bess hold on to the football on punt returns? Can Miami's coverage units that were bad against the Saints but great against the Jets avoid the dip again this week? Here are the answers to these questions: No, yes, yes.

ADVANTAGE: Even.

COACHING

Tony Sparano and Bill Belichick come from the same Bill Parcells coaching tree, so they have similar views on some subjects. Sparano showed he's not out of his league when he ordered his staff to spring the Wildcat last year. But Belichick has had a bye week to prepare for Miami, and that's hard to argue with.

ADVANTAGE: New England.

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