Dolphins, Patriots Grapple For Divisional Position

NFL News - November 3rd, 2009 - Written by John

Over the last six years, the New England Patriots have covered the spread six times following a bye week, and most of those games came as big favorites. They will be hard-pressed to continue that streak when they surrender 10 1/2 points to the streaky Miami Dolphins at home this Sunday. The over/under for the game is at 47 according to BetUS sportsbook. The Dolphins have won three of their last four games with sophomore Chad Henne under center, and they haven't lost a divisional game yet.

But Miami has yet to play New England this year, and the Patriots drilled the Dolphins 48-28 in their last meeting.

New England was on roll before the off-week. Beating two bad teams like a drum and are a division-leading 5-2 overall. They set several records in a 59-0 win over the Tennessee Titans in Week Six and followed up with a 35-7 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL's annual game in London. Tom Brady was good, but not great, in that game, throwing for 300 yards for the third time this season while being picked off twice.

He has 2,032 yards on the year and both Welker and Randy Moss have at least 484 yards and four touchdowns this season. Moss has been targeted 66 times this year, fifth-most in the league, and Wes Welker is also in the top-10 with 62 targets.

Wes Welker again was his leading target, gobbling up 100 yards for the second-straight week and also had a touchdown.

The Dolphins are the league's 20th pass defense, surrendering over eight yards per attempt, and have only six interceptions on the year. They were victimized by rookie Mark Sanchez to the tune of 265 yards and two touchdowns, close to their season average of 236 yards allowed per game.

They managed to win that game, however, and are a reasonable 3-4 on the year. They are among the top in rushing offense, still the founders and mavens of the famed Wildcat offense that has made stars out of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. Each of the two are in the top-15 in the NFL in terms of yardage, having over 400 yards rushing and combine for 13 total touchdowns.

Nobody on the team (or in the entire league for that matter) had a better week than Ted Ginn, Jr., who was dogged all last week for dropped passes and an apparent lack of desire. He shut up his critics with two 100-yard kickoff returns for touchdowns, becoming first player to accomplish the feat since 1951. He leads the team with 211 receiving yards, too and is one of five players with a touchdown catch.

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