Dolphins vs. Pats Week 3 Preview

Porter says Dolphins will get theior first win of the year

After last week’s dismal performance against the Cardinals, the Dolphins will look to attain their first victory of the season against division rival New England on Sunday in Foxboro. In spite of losing Tom Brady for the year on the first series during their opener against the Chiefs, the Patriots have tallied victories in their first two games of the season. Last week, while Miami wilted under the desert sun in Arizona, New England bested the New York Jets in a defensive battle in which new starter Matt Cassell completed 16 of 23 passes for 165 yards. Perhaps more importantly, he did not turn the ball over, managing the game effectively in a 19-10 win.

Do not be surprised if Bill Belichick and the Patriots decide to go with a more aggressive approach and take a few more shots downfield this week against a Dolphins secondary that has allowed numerous big plays over the past couple games. Wide receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker provide New England with a clear advantage over Miami’s moribund back four, even without Tom Brady. That being said, Cassell will need to enjoy solid protection and throw the ball with accuracy in order to take advantage of this matchup, which could ultimately allow Miami to capitalize on any possible mistakes the inexperienced signal caller might make if New England gives him more responsibility than he can handle.

For Miami, the game plan remains simple. On offense, the Dolphins must establish some semblance of an effective running game. The play of the rebuilt offensive line has been disappointing and has failed to open up running lanes for either Ricky Williams or Ronnie Brown. Rookie starting guard Donald Thomas, injured during Jets game, will miss the remainder of the season with a foot injury, and his replacement Ikechuku Ndukwe, played poorly last week against Arizona. Williams himself has been rather shaky of late, fumbling three times during the first two contests, although luckily for the him, none of them has been recovered by the opposing team. If the Dolphins are forced to rely on Chad Pennington and possibly the worst receiving corps in the league to win in Foxboro, the result could be worse than last week, considering the ferocity of the New England pass rush and the Patriots’ ability to force turnovers.

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On defense, the Dolphins cannot afford to give up huge gains to Welker or Moss, and must force Cassell to drive the length of the field to beat them. Also, Miami cannot allow New England to establish the run, or Cassell’s job will be made markedly easier and will allow offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to keep the Dolphins off balance and utilize the play action pass effectively. The defensive line was sturdy against the run last week in Phoenix, but New England’s veteran line and running back by committee will most likely provide a bigger challenge.

Until the Dolphins prove they can establish the running game, throw the ball to their receivers effectively, or squelch big plays in the passing game, they are ill equipped to face a talented to New England team which boasts one of the best defenses in the league and the NFL’s most dangerous receiver in Randy Moss. Look for this one to stay close early before the Patriots break it open in the second half with a couple of big plays to Moss and a few turnovers on defense after Miami is forced to abandon the run again and rely on Pennington.

Sorry fellow Fin fans, I call ‘em like I see ‘em…

New England 30 - Miami 13

By Glenn Katzman
ProFootball-fans.com Miami Dolphins Correspondent