Game-day details
Sun., 1 p.m. ET, Dolphins Stadium
Weather forecast from AccuWeather.com:
Partly sunny. High: 82. Low: 72
Why To Watch
Having played the Colts on Monday night, the Patriots have a short week of practice before traveling to Miami.
The return of Ricky Williams and the emergence of rookie Ronnie Brown give Miami an offensive identity, but the Dolphins still must improve in third-down and red zone situations to win games. Quarterback Gus Frerotte lacks the skill to fully use wide receivers Chris Chambers and Marty Booker and tight end Randy McMichael.
The Patriots -- despite a slew of injuries and a wicked first-half schedule -- still sit in first place of the AFC East. Quarterback Tom Brady has managed the offense with an efficient passing game without the benefit of a healthy or consistent running game. Wide receiver Deion Branch, in his fourth season, has emerged as Brady's top target in recent weeks.
Patriots Keys For Success
1. Burn the blitz. The Dolphins use multiple fronts but tend to telegraph blitzes by cheating up to the line of scrimmage before the snap. Brady is excellent at reading coverages and picking up blitzes, hitting the uncovered receiver.
2. Run at defensive end Jason Taylor. Taylor is a mainstay but has been playing with a foot injury that limits his ability to change directions or hold his ground at the point of attack. The Patriots are working to balance the run/pass ratio and will be sure to run at Taylor this week.
3. Use five-under, three-deep zones. The Dolphins are using a West Coast-style passing game predicated on rhythm and timing to spread the defense horizontally with short passes before going deep. Look for New England to drop into a five-under, three-deep zone in passing situations to take away Frerotte's inside receivers and force him to hold the ball longer.
Dolphins Keys For Success
1. Use spread formations. Miami has developed a solid running game without the aid of a true blocking back. Spread formations will force New England to move an outside linebacker out of the box, creating more running space inside and challenging the depth of New England's secondary.
2. Run between the tackles. The Patriots' 3-4 base defense has the speed to take away the outside run but is vulnerable up the middle. With inside linebacker Tedy Bruschi back in the lineup, Miami should run at the other inside position, manned by Mike Vrabel or Monty Beisel or Chad Brown.
3. Use multiple blitz packages. Injuries to cornerback Sam Madison and safety Tebucky Jones might have been a blessing in disguise because Miami was forced to gamble more with blitzes rather than sit in coverage against the Saints in Week 8. Brady was sacked only 10 times in the first eight games but can be pressured into throwing the ball away. Look for Miami to bring the additional pressure through the left side of the Patriots' line, where they have been starting rookies at guard and tackle.
Injuries at a glance
Patriots injuries
11/10/05 Duane Starks CB Shoulder/thigh Out for season (on IR)
11/10/05 Kevin Faulk RB Leg Out for Week 10
11/10/05 Daniel Graham TE Shoulder Questionable for Week 10
11/10/05 David Givens WR Knee Questionable for Week 10
11/8/05 Ty Warren DT Leg Week 10 status unknown
11/7/05 Richard Seymour DT Knee Could miss 3-6 weeks
Dolphins injuries
11/10/05 Zach Thomas LB Groin Will play in Week 10
11/9/05 David Boston WR Knee Out for season (on IR)
10/22/05 Kevin Carter DE Calf Week 8 status unclear
11/4/05 Junior Seau LB Calf Injured in Week 3
The Bottom Line
Miami shows flashes of brilliance on offense, defense and special teams but rarely puts it all together in the same game. The Patriots also can be inconsistent but usually rally against lesser opponents.
Expect Miami to keep the ball on the ground to control the clock and limit Brady's opportunities to make things happen. Miami has played from behind in every game, and if that happens again will have to abandon the run and put the ball in Frerotte's hands. That would mean a sure victory for New England.
Pick: Patriots 21, Dolphins 17
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New England @ Miami
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