The Dolphins have quickly changed the course of their season from one that was heading to the bottom of the abyss, to one that now has been jolted with energy and hope. Tonight the Dolphins are faced with the “seemingly impossible” task of traveling to New England on a shortened week and trying to beat an undefeated Patriots that’s coming off a Super Bowl Championship. Besides the Patriots loss at home last year against the Bills, when they rested more than half of their starters, the last time the Patriots truly lost at home was back in week 15 of 2012 against a very good San Francisco 49ers team. If the Dolphins can find their inner hero and win this game, most Miami fans would consider this the biggest upset of the season so far.
The Dolphins are going to have to play a near perfect game if they want to be able to beat the Patriots. It is going to take a heroic effort to overcome all the obstacles tonight. They can do it. They have the talent. It must start with the Dolphins coming out strong in the first quarter, just like they have done in the last two games. The Dolphins need to continue to get Lamar Miller involved in the game early and often, and continue to utilize plays that allows their pass catchers to make plays after the catch.
On defense, the Dolphins must get pressure on Brady. The Patriots offensive line has been shaky this season, with them already allowing Brady to be sacked 16 times so far. When the Patriots played the Cowboys a few weeks ago, the Cowboys were able to sack Brady 5 times in the first half. The Cowboys changed up their defensive alignment, which caused confusion for the Patriots in the first half. However, in the second half the Patriots made the necessary adjustments, and were able to keep Brady’s jersey clean for the entire second half. I would suggest that the Dolphins try a similar strategy by adding a few wrinkles to their defensive alignment, and frequently changing it up, so they can keep the Patriots guessing for the entire game.
The Patriots have not been that great at running the ball this season, but when you have Tom Brady at QB, you do not have to be. Miami must completely shut down the Patriots running attack to at least make the Patriots one dimensional. If they can make the Patriots running game non-existent, then they will be able to be more aggressive with their pass rush. The Dolphins have beaten the Patriots in the past, and when they have it was with a disruptive defense. It must be a full team effort. If the Dolphins are going to beat the Pats, then the ‘Phins defense is going to have to put in a monster effort and the secondary NEEDS to force Brady to go deeper into his progression to buy time for the rush to get there.
The best sportsbooks in the world initially opened this game with the Patriots as a -8.5 point favorite. The line was immediately hit hard on the Dolphins side and was quickly dropped down to -7.5 for the Pats. The line has since stayed steady at -7.5, and the action is coming in at a heavy 5 to 1 ratio on the Patriots. If this line happens to drop a bit more, that would be a very good sign, because that would show that the sharp bettors are laying money on Miami.
So here we are hours away from a HUGE game. The opportunity to be great and win is here, but it will take a great effort. The opportunity to be good and push the Pats to the brink is here, but it will take a good effort. The opportunity to lay an egg is here and stink up the joint is here, and that in my opinion is the only option that is inexcusable. It has been said two out of three isn’t bad – for tonight I agree. BUT, with gin in hand, and blood curdling screams, I will curse the Pats and cheer for the Dolphins to shove a big fat loss, straight down their miserable throats. GO FINS!!!!
A large part of the game will be dictated on how the game itself is called by the officials. The Patriots are the biggest Pick and Roll offenders in the league (Cheaters always cheat), yet never get called. If Miami makes Brady hold the ball just for a little bit Brady and the Pats could be in for a long night. If the officials continue to ignore Patriots basketball tactics we could struggle stopping them entirely.
If we continue to run the ball w somewhat of the same success during the Campbell era, again the Pats could be chasing, which doesn’t necessarily bother them.
If Miami is winning going into the 4th quarter, I feel they will pull it out. Campbell will have these guys jacked and drooling from the mouth by then, should they have the lead.
I would like to see the coming out party of D.Parker, someone I’m sure N.E. hasn’t accounted for (understandably). If the play action fakes are there, Miami brings Parker in for a series, Parker would be facing their #4/#5 defensive backfield option and could get some BIG plays downfield.
Any way, It is great that we/national media are actually talking about how good of a game this could be, and that Miami actually has a chance to pull the upset off. We all know that was the furthest thought from our minds as little as 3 weeks ago. The best move Ross has made so far, a move that he was forced to make. Ross, you work on the stadium upgrades, getting another Super Bowl in Miami and let Campbell and staff build you a winner!!!!
I look for DBL teams on both Suh w C+G, and Wake with T+TE/RB. This will give Brady the 0.2 seconds he seemingly needs to complete his 5yd passes and seam passes to Gronk.
I would not blitz vs Brady, I would look to offset the coming DBL teams by mixing up alignment and throwing in a zone blitz w a DL dropping off into underneath coverage. I would not play pure man without pressing and hitting WR’s at the LOS.
We must hit Gronk at the LOS to keep his completions underneath coverage of 2nd level.
This is more of an defensive challenge than it is for our O.
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A large part of the game will be dictated on how the game itself is called by the officials. The Patriots are the biggest Pick and Roll offenders in the league (Cheaters always cheat), yet never get called. If Miami makes Brady hold the ball just for a little bit Brady and the Pats could be in for a long night. If the officials continue to ignore Patriots basketball tactics we could struggle stopping them entirely.
If we continue to run the ball w somewhat of the same success during the Campbell era, again the Pats could be chasing, which doesn’t necessarily bother them.
If Miami is winning going into the 4th quarter, I feel they will pull it out. Campbell will have these guys jacked and drooling from the mouth by then, should they have the lead.
I would like to see the coming out party of D.Parker, someone I’m sure N.E. hasn’t accounted for (understandably). If the play action fakes are there, Miami brings Parker in for a series, Parker would be facing their #4/#5 defensive backfield option and could get some BIG plays downfield.
Any way, It is great that we/national media are actually talking about how good of a game this could be, and that Miami actually has a chance to pull the upset off. We all know that was the furthest thought from our minds as little as 3 weeks ago. The best move Ross has made so far, a move that he was forced to make. Ross, you work on the stadium upgrades, getting another Super Bowl in Miami and let Campbell and staff build you a winner!!!!
I look for DBL teams on both Suh w C+G, and Wake with T+TE/RB. This will give Brady the 0.2 seconds he seemingly needs to complete his 5yd passes and seam passes to Gronk.
I would not blitz vs Brady, I would look to offset the coming DBL teams by mixing up alignment and throwing in a zone blitz w a DL dropping off into underneath coverage.
I would not play pure man without pressing and hitting WR’s at the LOS.
We must hit Gronk at the LOS to keep his completions underneath coverage of 2nd level.
This is more of an defensive challenge than it is for our O.