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Miami (3-4) at New England (5-2)

Fair Currently: Foxboro, MA
Temp: 38° F
  • Game info: 1:00 pm EST Sun Nov 8, 2009
  • TV: CBS

By MIKE LIPKA, STATS Writer Nov 4, 6:04 pm EST

Preview | Box Score | Recap
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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(notes) throwing nine touchdown passes.

Wes Welker(notes) and Randy Moss(notes) 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(notes) 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(notes) 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(notes), 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(notes) and Mike Vrabel(notes) were traded and Rodney Harrison(notes) and Tedy Bruschi(notes) retired. New England also is missing defensive end Jarvis Green(notes) 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(notes) (knee) and running backs Fred Taylor(notes) (ankle) and Sammy Morris(notes) (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.”

Updated Nov 4, 6:04 pm EST
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Team Comparison

Team Records Standings PF PA Road/Home AFC NFC DIV Streak
Miami 5-5-0 2nd AFC East 242 244 2-3-0 Road 3-3-0 2-2-0 3-1-0 Won 2
New England 6-3-0 1st AFC East 259 150 5-0-0 Home 4-3-0 2-0-0 2-1-0 Lost 1

Notes

No team notes.

Despite winning their final four games, the Patriots became the first 11-win team to miss the playoffs since Denver in 1985. ... New England beat the Bills for the 11th consecutive time. The Patriots also kept up their late-season brilliance, extending their winning streak in December to 12 games and improving to 24-2 in the month since 2003. ... With howling winds gusting over 50 miles per hour, QB Matt Cassel attempted a season-low eight passes. He completed six for 78 yards. ... The Patriots set an NFL record for fewest penalties called against them in a season. They were whistled for 57 infractions, breaking the record of 59 held by Seattle for a 16-game season. ... WR Randy Moss had just one reception for 13 yards, but it was enough to put him over 1,000 yards for the ninth time in his 11 seasons.

Dec 28, 11:19 pm EST
NFL

195 Comments

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  1. El Duderino
    195. Posted by El Duderino Thu Nov 12 5:42pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Dear Rusty Santos,

    If you are going to call other people a retard, you should make sure you know how to form a correct sentence first. Your post is one long giant run-on sentence that hardly makes sense. Did you not pass elementary English classes? Your use of 'a' and 'an' is hilarious. Just to remind you, 'an' goes in front of words that begin with a vowel and 'a' goes in front of words that begin with a consonant. Here is your use:

    "a avatar"

    "an foul mouth retard."

    I believe someone with your lack of correct grammar use is the retard. Even though you are trying to trash talk someone else, your lack of punctuation and incorrect word usage makes you look like a moron. I have seen better writing skills from 1st graders. If you are going to make fun of someone for being dumb, you should, in fact, make sure you are educated yourself, moron.
  2. rusty santos
    194. Posted by rusty santos Tue Nov 10 6:06pm EST

    Report Abuse

    sorry i predicted 45-10 pats oh well they still won and joey porter still = loser.yea snot bubble post#171 a real low class piece of trash wimp must be from new york they all talk tough threatening people but i do not hide behind a avatar you can see me and i will take your challenge lets get in the ring . i need to be able to legally hurt an foul mouth retard.
  3. #1 PATS FAN
    193. Posted by #1 PATS FAN Tue Nov 10 4:56pm EST

    Report Abuse

    #173 EROCK E
    that's hella funny because snot bubble swallower is an ugly fat half retarded kid who got picked on. he thinks he scares peopleHAHAHAHA
  4. Abel S
    192. Posted by Abel S Tue Nov 10 1:07pm EST

    Report Abuse

    I lied on my comment #191 btw. Upon further reflection, I'll agree with Matt that my comments about putting Brady out of commission and wishing he gets hurt were out of line and I would like to apologize to the Patriot fans that read it. It is very despicable to wish that on someone and I threw a tantrum. Fact is, no one can argue with 3 Super Bowl wins and Brady will definitely be in the Hall of Fame. You were right on another issue Matt, Brady walking off the field shows toughness and bravery. Can't argue with that. I tip my hat to you guys and again, an apology for my low comments. I usually try to keep it professional, but I was WAY out of line.
  5. Abel S
    191. Posted by Abel S Tue Nov 10 12:39pm EST

    Report Abuse

    #182: I can agree with that. Indy and Steelers get a lot of roughing calls in their favor.
  6. Abel S
    190. Posted by Abel S Tue Nov 10 12:37pm EST

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    MATT #189: Haha you make me laugh sir. Truly! First of all, I did play football. Second of all, I have busted my knee and I know it hurts like hell. I also had it repaired and continued to play. Only difference is, I never had refs protecting me everytime I got touched. But then again I never did Stetson commercials or married a supermodel named Gisele (although I am married to a beautiful woman if I should say so myself) so that could be the reason. But I do have to say that it seems you got a little defensive there buddy. Could it be that you might have all the issues that you said I have? By the way let me tell you a little about myself. 6'5" 275 lbs. And I wasn't really what you could call a nerd in school (although I did like reading, if that counts). Its funny though, people didn't make fun of me or beat me up. I don't know why but it could be my boyish good looks or maybe my size but I never really had any challengers. I do remember a few guys that talked big like yourself, but for some strange reason they never really bothered me. Good times! As for the little penis, I don't ever compare it with other guys, not that I have anything against it if you do it since its important to you. My wife seems not to mind :). Oh but let me just add, everything I said about you're beloved Brady? I stand by it 100%. Patriots? Still cheaters. You? Makes me totally understand why you're a fan of them. But you are funny dude. You should be in comedy. Oh and psychology cause you seem to get people. Haha love ya man! MUAH!
  7. Matt
    189. Posted by Matt Tue Nov 10 9:39am EST

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    Anyone notice that Chad Henne needs to find a helmet that fits his head? Watching his forehead be pressed down into his eyes is a disturbing sight. Why doesn't someone tell him to get a bigger helmet? Seriously HENNE PLEASE FIX YOUR HELMET, GET A BIGGER ONE, IT DOESN'T FIT YOUR HEAD!!!! No wonder you suck so bad when your eyes have skin flaps in front of them from your big ass head. Please find a new helmet that fits, its really disturbing and annoying to watch. When my kid asks me, "Dad why doesn't that guys helmet fit." You know thats a problem when a 3.5 year old asks that. The problem was I didn't know how to answer that. Really whats the answer?
  8. MarkG
    188. Posted by MarkG Tue Nov 10 9:31am EST

    Report Abuse

    See the look on Ginn's face after the penalty and the rekick into the stands?

    Belichick, in not so many words, pretty much dismissed the wildcat as a gimmick, but he did say if you put it in your offense, your opponent has to spend some time defending it during practice. But, Fin fans, I ask you seriously:

    Would it not be better to spend more time on better, smoother offensive play-calling than to toss in a gimmick that *might* work once or twice a game? I think Sporano has fallen in love with it just because they beat the pats with it last year, but, hey, that was *last* year. In the end, you gotta look at the numbers when they run that wildcat, and the numbers are not good. No quick-strike offense to speak of from the Fins.

    Prediction: Dolphins don't make the playoffs and Sporano gets canned. Matter of fact, Dolphins are perilously close to being a bottom-dweller in the division.

    That's gotta hurt at some level, Fin-fans.

    Have a kipper. You'll need it.
  9. SNOT BUBBLE KOOLAID
    187. Posted by SNOT BUBBLE KOOLAID Tue Nov 10 6:25am EST

    Report Abuse

    #1 pats fan your mom is a WH*RE!!!
  10. <i>xtradloffx</i>
    186. Posted by xtradloffx Tue Nov 10 12:44am EST

    Report Abuse

    I'm a Viking fan but when I'm not watching them I love watching Ronnie Brown and that Wildcat. It's fun to watch.
  11. #1 PATS FAN
    185. Posted by #1 PATS FAN Tue Nov 10 12:09am EST

    Report Abuse

    Man reding these comments is soooooooo fun. especially when THEY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PATRIOTS!!!!!! for instance that snot Bubble piece of $hit and Kanadian boy talking about snot bubble doing anal to someone's mom. WOW. anyways Pats rule. correction to Pats haters- our coach's last name is Bellichick, not Bellicheat.

    -signed Chuck Norris

    (lolz)
  12. Daniel
    184. Posted by Daniel Mon Nov 9 7:21pm EST

    Report Abuse

    @ dWade3 - can I be a f@g too? I'd like to sleep with Brady's wife too. Sorry ass Mi-sham-i Heat fan.

    Patriots go as far as they want to as long as they remain healthy. Don't hate 'cause we're great.

    Brady gets all the calls and influences referees? Look at a few of the other QB's in the league. Are you freakin kidding me?

    Jealousy is so unbecoming fans of NFL teams that suck that they have nothing better to do than trash others...lol

    GO NEW ENGLAND !!! SUPER BOWL BOUND 2010 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  13. DeWe
    183. Posted by DeWe Mon Nov 9 6:53pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Don't you guys have anything better to do?
  14. <i>p.pettinicchio</i>
    182. Posted by p.pettinicchio Mon Nov 9 6:22pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Btw Abel S the Pats are tied for the most roughing the passer penalties in the league, so obviously those calls aren't always going in our favor. You wanna see bias refs watch an Indy game I think Houston had over 100 yards in penalties and there was a flag on every bloody play
  15. Abel S
    181. Posted by Abel S Mon Nov 9 6:09pm EST

    Report Abuse

    erock e: Go back to school you uneducated idiot. What ghetto did you come out of? Shouldn't you be a Raiders fan considering that you're a loser and a thug?
  16. Abel S
    180. Posted by Abel S Mon Nov 9 6:06pm EST

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    MATTHEW P: Colts AND New Orleans will beat them. Besides, Ravens should have beat them too, except for being robbed from a victory by your bought out refs. And before you say that Colts and NO haven't played anyone good, take a look at your "soft" schedule and tell me if you've played anyone. Your division aloneis what propells you into the playoffs every year. Seems to me like you guys should be 8-0 and blowing everyone out by like 20 points, especially considering that you always have more than 11 guys on the field at all times.
  17. Abel S
    179. Posted by Abel S Mon Nov 9 5:59pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Yeah you guys have 3 rings, no one denies that. But everyone also knows how you got them. Any team can win if your QB is untouchable and can manipulate the game with his whining. He really did deserve that hit on his knees and all I can say is with dirty play like that he deserves an even major one. I was I had that scream for my phone ringer when Pollard tore his knee up. All I can say is that if I was a DE, I would make my hit worthwhile and put him out of comission. Ol' Stetson boy has it coming again!
  18. <i>donnalou502001</i>
    178. Posted by donnalou502001 Mon Nov 9 5:55pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Go Steelers!!!
  19. Chsfrnndz
    177. Posted by Chsfrnndz Mon Nov 9 4:26pm EST

    Report Abuse

    you suck SNOT BUBBLE KOOLAID
    patriots for the WIN!!!!!
  20. BeaverKiller
    176. Posted by BeaverKiller Mon Nov 9 4:08pm EST

    Report Abuse

    bengod - What about the RAIDERS ???????????????????????? Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  21. <i>bendgod</i>
    175. Posted by bendgod Mon Nov 9 3:56pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Snow blowers, tuck rules, and cheating is what comes to mind when the patsies are mentioned. Without cheating, they are just another team and won't be going very far this year. The Colts, Saints, and Vikings will go further this year and deep into the playoffs. Sorry cheatin patsies and bellidick fans, its is as I said it is.
  22. BeaverKiller
    174. Posted by BeaverKiller Mon Nov 9 3:05pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Snot bubble sausage swallower - keep swallowing those footlongs at the boys club anal boy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yummmmmmmmmmmmy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! tough gay ????????
  23. erock e
    173. Posted by erock e Mon Nov 9 3:01pm EST

    Report Abuse

    and snot bubble or w/e your dumb@ss name is...dont talk sh1t and make threats over the computer, your probably an ugly fat half retarded kid who got picked on. talkin sh1t over the blog is GAY, its like the special olympics, even if u win, youre still retarded...GO PATRIOTS!!!!!!
  24. erock e
    172. Posted by erock e Mon Nov 9 2:56pm EST

    Report Abuse

    you see me....hustle hard...stack wins up...super-bowls....hi hater! hi hater! u see me? hi hater! get off the pats d1ck, cuz were only gettin better and better every week. Im not gonna sit here and talk sh1t like most of you do...your immature little kids, who only know anything about anything cuz of yahoo sports blogs. but again, keep hatin! and we'll keep winning....what's your team done lately? thought so....get a life....it really is pathetic....see ya in february haaaaters!!!!!
  25. SNOT BUBBLE KOOLAID
    171. Posted by SNOT BUBBLE KOOLAID Mon Nov 9 2:25pm EST

    Report Abuse

    F*ck all You patsy @#$%s you douche bags seem to have forgotten were you came from and that my assclowns is the gutter and soon you will be back there because your golden boy Tommy has about 2 yrs left in the tank and Bilacheat will have a heart attack before the season is out! Bad Kanadian you are just a loud mouth little B*tch you wouldnt talk that crap to my face cause I would knock your teeth down your throat. So just keep being the little girl that you are and hide behind your computer you coward!! PATRIOTS SUCK!!!!!
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