The Patriots will be looking to get revenge for the 38-13 smackdown that the Fins applied to them in Week #3 in Foxboro.  The winner of this game could be tied for first place in the AFC East if the Jets lose at Tennessee tomorrow which is certainly possible.  The Patriots will likely come out throwing the ball in this game with Randy Moss and Wes Welker being the most looked at receivers by Matt Cassel.  The Dolphins allow 222.6 yards per game this season through the air but they have 27 sacks this season including 13.5 by Joey Porter.  Patriots’ QBs have been sacked 33 times this season so it’s not a given that Cassel will have much time to throw the football.  The Patriots are averaging 104.0 yards rushing per game and 4.0 ypc this season despite not having a RB with over 321 yards (Sammy Morris).  The Fins only allow 91.3 yards rushing per game and 3.7 ypc so every yard will have to be a fight on the ground for the Patriots.

The Dolphins will likely keep the offense balanced against the Patriots.  Chad Pennington has played well this season and he will likely keep the passing game short but accurate as the Patriots are allowing 204.4 yards passing per game.  The Dolphins will no doubt use the “Wildcat” formation which gave the Patriots’ fits earlier this season.  The Patriots had a hard time dealing with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams and they could have trouble with them again tomorrow.

PREDICTION:  MIAMI DOLPHINS 27, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 24

When Tom Brady went out for the season with a severe injury in Week 1 against the Chiefs most experts thought the Patriots would be toast.  After all, Matt Cassel hadn’t started a game since high school and he was being thrust into the starting role at QB.  Cassel has played in 10 games this season for the Patriots and he has completed 208 of 316 passes (65.8%) for 2,200 yards with 10 TD passes and 7 interceptions (87.3 QB Rating).  He has also carried the football 51 times for 185 yards (3.6 ypc) with 1 TD run.  It will be up to Cassel to keep playing well if the Patriots are to win the AFC East or make the playoffs as a Wild Card.

The defense and special teams let the Patriots down in the football game last night.  But, QB Matt Cassell kept the Patriots in the game with a huge effort.  He completed 30 of 51 passes for 400 yards with 3 TD passes and 0 interceptions last night.  He also carried the football 8 times for 62 yards (7.8 ypc) against the Jets so you can’t blame the loss on him.  Kevin Faulk was busy in this game as he carried the ball 8 times for 38 yards (4.8 ypc) and he also caught 4 passes for 49 yards (12.3 avg).  Matt Cassell spread the ball around to his receivers and that was very effective last night.  Wes Welker led the way in the passing game for the Patriots last night with 108 yards on 7 grabs (15.4 avg).  TE Ben Watson (8 rec, 88 yards) and WR Jabar Gaffney (7 rec, 86 yards) each caught a TD pass in the game last night.  The Patriots finished up with 125 yards rushing on 25 carries (5.0 ypc) last night and they also completed 30 of 51 passes for 386 yards.

Rookie linebacker Jared Mayo led the way for the Patriots’ defense with 20 tackles in this game.  He also defensed a pass as he was all over the football field.  Still, the Patriots defense as a whole did not play well as the Jets rushed for 140 yards on 39 carries (3.6 ypc) and they also completed 26 of 33 passes for 235 yards.  The special teams also killed the Patriots in this game as Leon Washington had a 92-yard kickoff return for a TD against them.  The Patriots have fallen to 6-4 in the AFC East, 1 game behind the Jets.

The Patriots might have to put starting outside linebacker Adalius Thomas on Injured Reserve as he has suffered a broken forearm.  This is a huge blow to the Patriots’ defense as Thomas is the best pass rusher on the team.  He has 34 tackles, 5 sacks, 2 tackles for a loss and he has defensed 4 passes.  This was a player that the Patriots just can’t replace.