Pats Flip Phins, 27-17

Joey Porter did his talking all week saying that Brady got preferential treatment from the referees.

Looks like the Dolphins secondary also gave Brady preferential treatment.

He torched Miami for 332 yards and a 71 yard touchdown to Randy Moss. Brady broke Drew Bledsoe’s team record with his 27^th 300 yard passing game and his third in a row.

Both Moss and Welker had their way with the beat up Miami secondary. Moss added another 5 catches to compliment his scoring grab, accumulating 147 total yards.

Welker also made his presence felt in the passing game. He continued to churn out hard fought yards and added 9 more catches to his stellar season.

The Patriots offense has been in full flight over the last 3 games. New England has outscored their opponents, 121-24.

Passing attacks have more potency when there is a threat of the run. Most of this season, New England’s offense has been lacking this elusive element. Beside Taylor’s performance against Atlanta and Maroney’s output in the snow versus Tennessee, the ground game has been non existent.

On this day, Maroney looked more like Earl Campbell and less like My Cousin Earl.  He found the holes or he bulldozed defenders to make them. Laurence Maroney ran in a battering ram style like his former University of Minnesota teammate, Marion Barber.

He made the Miami defense pay for every hit. Maroney rushed for 82 yards on 20 carries and scored the team’s first touchdown.

Miami’s wildcat offense still gave the Patriots defense fits. Ricky Williams scored on a 15 yard run and Ronnie Brown threw a touchdown in the feline formation. Brown’s pass to tight end, Joey Hanos gave Miami the lead at 17-16.

That lead was short lived, when Brady connected with Moss on a short pass and long run for the go ahead score.

Miami lacked the big play ability through the air to muster a late comeback winded. Chad Henne, Ronnie Brown, and Pat White combined for only 220 yards passing.

Final score: New England 27 Miami 17

When you are going toe to toe with the New England offense, you better have a high powered attack.

Miami doesn’t.

But Indianapolis sure does.

The 6-2 Patriots will face the undefeated Colts next Sunday night.

Brady versus Manning.

A rivalry renewed.

I got my popcorn ready.

Joe Gill is a featured blogger for Boston Sports Then and Now, Rootzoo.com and Trufan.com