Patriots Win in Tough Divisional Battle

After a Miami 10 minute touchdown drive to open the second half frustration began to set in. Miami had no trouble moving the ball with the Wildcat and trick formations. On the third play of the Patriots' next drive, Tom Brady would hit Randy Moss on a drag route. Moss would gallop down the opposite side of the field delivering a blistering stiff-arm for a 71-yard score. The final score would be 27-17 in a good, hard-fought divisional win.

Lets review our keys to the game:

Stop the Wildcat: The Patriots did a good job of not letting the formation hurt them too badly. Ronnie Brown had a one yard TD pass, and in the "Pat White Wildcat," White ran for 33 yard. Miami did not unveil the formation until the second quarter, and the Patriots were certainly prepared for it.

Make Chad Henne win the game: The Dolphins came out after the half with a heavy dose of the Wildcat and Henne. The second year QB finished 19/34 for 219 yards with 0 TDs and 0 INTs. The Patriots sent a few more blitzes than normal including a great safety blitz by rookie Patrick Chung which took the Fins out of FG range.

Take advantage of the Dolphins secondary: It appeared as if we were in for more than we bargained for after a phenomenal pick by first-rounder Vontae Davis. However, the only real blemish for the Fins secondary was the 71-yard TD pass to Moss.

Keep the focus after the bye week: The Pats won their eighth consecutive game after a bye week. The extra time obviously was a benefit.


INJURIES:

• Dan Koppen limped off the field in the second quarter with a leg injury and did not return. The Patriots obviously gave no update. Fourth year back up Dan Connolly filled in admirably with every snap being precise.
• Rookie returner Brandon Tate left the game after a return in the second half. Trainers were checking the same knee that he tore up in college.
• LB Jerod Mayo and CB Leigh Bodden were both shaken up in the game, but returned and saw extensive action after their injuries though.
• The injuries are beginning to pile up for the Pats. Lets hope Koppen's injury isn't too serious.

MORE:

• Laurence Maroney ran pretty well today. He had 20 attempts for 82 yards and a TD. While he showed his indecisiveness at the line at times, he did run well more often than not.
• Moss had a brilliant one-handed 36-yard catch that brought the Patriots to the one yard line which lead to Maroney's TD. Randy also added a two point conversion on a catch after his 71-yard TD catch.
  
• Sam Aiken picked up a nice first down and while he only had two receptions, he has filled in admirably as the third receiver.
• Gostkowski nailed four field goals tying a career high. He also hit a few kickoffs out of the back of the endzone which helped in containing the explosive kick return game lead by Ted Ginn Jr.
  
• Brandon McGowan continues to stand out and he is in the right place at the right time and hitting hard.
  
• Chung's sack was nice, but he also ruffed Henne later in the game resulting in a 15-yard penalty.
  
• This was Brady's third straight 300 yard game.

The Patriots sit comfortably atop of the division and have a huge game next Sunday night in Indianapolis against the undefeated Colts.