NE @ Miami

[AZ Fins Fan 55]

Brady 42,the Dolphins 17....Ditka 107...

No you have it wrong.....Ditka would put up 302.....Mini Ditka on the other hand 107!!!!! 

[Fins4ever]

NE is a ridiculous plus 24 in the giveaway/takeaway category.  Pats 37 Phins 20. -EK

Yeah, but 1/2 of those were against the Jets in a 2 minute span. lol

[Pappy13]

Yeah, but 1/2 of those were against the Jets in a 2 minute span. lol

Turnovers will be the key. NE has only beaten 2 pretty good opponents, Denver and Indy. Denver turned the ball over 3 times and Indy turned the ball over 4 times. NE was a combined 7-1 on turnover ratio in those 2 games. If Miami turns the ball over it will be a blowout, but if Miami is able to protect the ball and make NE go the length of the field to score, the score could be fairly close.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Turnovers will be the key. NE has only beaten 2 pretty good opponents, Denver and Indy. Denver turned the ball over 3 times and Indy turned the ball over 4 times. NE was a combined 7-1 on turnover ratio in those 2 games. If Miami turns the ball over it will be a blowout, but if Miami is able to protect the ball and make NE go the length of the field to score, the score could be fairly close.

Turnovers has been the primary reason for NE success.  NE has won the turnover battle in all but one game (Sea, tied at 2 @, NE lost).  The two NE losses, NE was +1 in turnovers.  The only other game where they had ONLY a +1 TO the game went to overtime.  Every other game NE has been +2 or better. 

If a team can win the TO battle they can beat NE pretty easily.  But with the offenses ability to protect the ball and the defenses abality to steal it that is easier said than done.     

[EKnight]

In their winning streak, they're averaging close to 40 a game and Brady has what- a dozen or more TDs against no interception? This is the Pats team I thought we'd see all year. -EK

[Fins4ever]

In their winning streak, they're averaging close to 40 a game and Brady has what- a dozen or more TDs against no interception? This is the Pats team I thought we'd see all year. -EK

I saw an interview with Brady at the beginning of the year when N.E. was not playing nearly as well and he said, "coach said that the "real season" doesn't start until Thanksgiving".  The Pats have improved consistently all year, which is what you want to do.

[bsfins]

No you have it wrong.....Ditka would put up 302.....Mini Ditka on the other hand 107!!!!! 

Ha! you got me,I'm wrong......Maybe it would be slightly less with his recent stroke...

Personally My faith in winning this game is low...Could we win, Yes...Do I think we're going to win No...

I'd like us to at least start strong,positive plays,get in some type of rhythm...I feel recently Titans,Bills and Seattle,It seems like we've stumbled out of the gate, (The Titans especially but even against the Bills,and Seattle till the 4th Qtr) it never felt like we were running with all 12 cylinders...We sputtered along on 6 or 8...Yeah O-line protection,turnovers,etc,etc...

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I saw an interview with Brady at the beginning of the year when N.E. was not playing nearly as well and he said, "coach said that the "real season" doesn't start until Thanksgiving".  The Pats have improved consistently all year, which is what you want to do.

Exactly.  Folks look at the 8-3 record and say "they ain't as good as they have been in the past"  In some ways that is true.  But on the very positive side, they had two loses early in the season and have been IMPROVING every week.  In contrast to say the 2007 season in which they were playing their best football in September and October and steadily declined. 

You want to peak in January and February.  Granted you need to be decent from Sept - Dec to get a shot at January, but I like NE's trajectory.  And for all the hand wring over Gronk, NE will win the division without him, as long as he is healthy for January 6/7 all is good.   

[MikeO]

The Pats are like the NY Yankees. Nobody cares about the regular season or #1 seeds or homefield advantage. There season starts in January and will be judged starting in January!

They have gotten to that level!

[EDGECRUSHER]

I think your division title should come with an asterisk if no one else in the division is over .500

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I think your division title should come with an asterisk if no one else in the division is over .500

Yeah, ussually early in the season you get one --in a couple of days it might read something like this.....

Patriots* 9-3
Dolphins 5-7
Jets 4-8
Bills 4-8

*Clinched division and playoff berth.

[EDGECRUSHER]

The Giants may end up getting an asterisk too. I wouldn't be surprised if they faced off in the Superbowl again. It's an easier road when you can take it easy for 6 games a year.

[Pats2006]

Should be a good game.. Miami has been playing good football. Good luck guys.

Pats 31
Phins 24

[Pats2006]

Not a good start 

[EKnight]

Tannehill off the mark, and a poor punt play....gonna be a long day. -EK