Patriots - Dolphins Preview

The Wildcat returns to Foxborough.

PATRIOTS (5-2) vs. DOLPHINS (3-4)
Sunday 1:00 - CBS
Favorite: Patriots -11
Over/Under: 47

With the bye week behind us, we can welcome Patriots football for the rest of the season. The 3-4 Dolphins head to Foxborough this weekend, but it won't be a cakewalk game for the Pats as Miami is 3-0 in the division. Here are the keys to the game:

Stop the Wildcat. Ronnie Brown and the Dolphin's potent attack gained 100 yards and 3 TDs on 5 rushing attempts and even threw for a TD pass in the first meeting last season, but the Patriots adapted and the Dolphis could only muster 15 yards on 8 rushing attempts in the second meeting between the division rivals. Bill Belichick was caught off guard in last season's first game versus the Dolphins because it was the first time they had ever unveiled the formation. He predictably shut it down the second time, and look for him to have it figured out yet again. Jarvis Green is out which hurts the team up front, but Mike Wright will step in and he is effective against the run and a smart player. Safeties Brandon Meriweather and Brandon McGowan will also help shut down their running attack.

Make Chad Henne win the game. This begins with stopping Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams in the run game. The Patriots need to put first year starter Henne into 3rd and long situations where he is responsible for moving the chains. In five games this season Henne has just 4 TDs and 3 INTs, but has displayed a good arm and a respectable 59.6 completion percentage.

Take advantage of the Dolphins secondary. The Dolphins will start three rookies in their defensive backfield (Vontae Davis and Sean Smith at corner and Chris Clemons at safety). Tom Brady is beginning to come back into form and this is a dream match-up for him on paper.

Keep the focus after the bye week. Bill Belichick and the Patriots have won seven straight games coming off of a bye week. The extra week to rest and prepare has proved to be beneficial, and BB's teams are notorious for picking it up and improving as the season goes on.

PATRIOTS INJURY REPORT

Did Not Participate

WR Julian Edelman (forearm) OUT
DE Jarvis Green (knee) OUT
T Matt Light (knee) OUT
RB Sammy Morris (knee) OUT
RB Fred Taylor (ankle) OUT
CB Jonathan Wilhite (illness) Questionable

Limited Participation

DE Ty Warren (ankle) Questionable
TE Benjamin Watson (back) Questionable

Full Participation

QB Tom Brady (right shoulder) Probable
WR Randy Moss (shoulder) Probable

DOLPHINS INJURY REPORT

Limited Participation

LB Channing Crowder (shoulder) Doubtful
DT Jason Ferguson (elbow) Doubtful


The Patriots sit atop of the AFC East with a 5-2 record (the Jets are in 2nd at 4-4) and they will look to win game number six by taking down another division nemesis.

MORE:

• The latest report on Sammy Morris has him returning in two weeks for a week 11 matchup against the Jets. Morris has been out since week 6 when he suffered a knee injury that appeared to have damaged his MCL.
• CB Kyle Arrington has been told he will be brought up from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday's game, replacing OL Kendall Simmons. Arrington is an undrafted free agent out of Hofstra and has appeared in one game this season for the Bucs. The team is deep in the secondary, but Jonathan Wilhite has been sick all week.