NFL Monday Madness: How The Miami Dolphins Will Beat The New England Patriots

On Monday Night Football this week, the New England Patriots will take their 2-1 record to Sun Life Stadium to take on the Miami Dolphins.

While it is still early in the season, this renewed rivalry has much more at stake than only bragging rights. The winner will remain tied with the New York Jets for the lead in the AFC East.

After a tough loss to the New York Jets, the Dolphins will be prepared to get back atop the division standings. Here is how the Miami Dolphins will take care of the visiting New England Patriots on Monday night.

Brandon Marshall

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MIAMI - SEPTEMBER 26: Receiver Brandon Marshall #19 of the Miami Dolphins makes a catch against the New York Jets at Sun Life Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Miami, Florida. The Jets won 31-23. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

After three weeks of mediocre play, Brandon Marshall finally broke through last week with 166 yards and a touchdown. Marshall is a dynamic receiver combining amazing speed and agility with the power to break through tackles after the catch.

Marshall has demonstrated that he can be the main guy in Miami. Now it's time to perform with consistency. The Patriots defense comes off of a week where they gave up 250 yards to an anemic Bills offense. It would not be surprising to see Chad Henne put up 300 yards against the Pats with Brandon Marshall picking up 150 of those yards.

The New England Defense (Or Lack Thereof)

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FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Kyle Anderson #27 of the New England Patriots cannot stop a touchdown run by C. J. Spiller #21 of the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

The New England defense is young, and it has shown this year. The New England defense ranks 28th in points allowed and 27th in yards allowed among NFL teams this year. While the defense still has some playmakers from prior rosters, the youthful defense has not emerged as the typical staunch Patriot defense.

The Dolphins, on the other hand, demonstrated the ability to exploit a tough Jets defense last week. If the Bills were able to put up 30 against the Patriots, you can only imagine what the Fins will be able to do on Monday night.

Tom Brady Can't Play Against The Dolphins D

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 06: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts after throwing an interception in the end-zone late in the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Land Shark Stadium on December 6, 2009 in Miami, Florida. The Dolphi

While over the past two years Tom Brady has fared much better against the Dolphins, they seem to be his Achilles Heel. Brady commented earlier this week stating that "[the Dolphins are the] best defense I've ever played against. I had my worst games against the Dolphins. Our passing game against them was terrible."

The Dolphins pass defense has been moderately successful this year ranking ninth in the league in passing yards allowed. Starting cornerback Jason Allen will have to stop giving up the big play if Mike Nolan's defense is going to force the Patriots to go to the ground game.

This Is a New Chad Henne

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MIAMI - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Chad Henne #7 of the Miami Dolphins throws against the New York Jets at Sun Life Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Miami, Florida. The Jets won 31-23. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Last week against the Jets, Chad Henne emerged as the player the Dolphins imagined he could be when they drafted him three years ago.

Henne's performance against a tough Jets defense was one to remember throwing for 363 yards and two touchdowns. Specifically notable was how Henne was constantly in control and focused throughout the game.

The Dolphins need Henne to control the offense and be confident in the pocket. If Henne can take advantage of a young Patriots defense, he could put up similar big numbers this week.

The Dolphins Will Possess The Ball

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MIAMI - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back Ronnie Brown #23 of the Miami Dolphins runs the ball against the New York Jets at Sun Life Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

The Patriots can score. We know that. They are first in the league in scoring. The Patriots, however, are all about the big play. They do not play to control the ball, but they play to score as soon as possible.

The Dolphins, on the other hand, are meticulous in moving the ball downfield and controlling time of possession. By controlling time of possession, the Dolphins can shorten the game, thereby taking away New England's advantage by decreasing opportunities for the big pass downfield.

The Patriots may have the number one offense so far this year, but their time of possession is is less than 50 percent at 29:16 per 60 minutes. In contrast, the Dolphins have held the ball for well over 50 percent of the time. If the Dolphins can control the clock, they can minimize the Patriots' advantage while tiring out a young, weak defense.

Ronnie Brown Is Healthy (Finally)

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MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 19: Ronnie Brown #23 of the Miami Dolphins carries the ball during the game against the Minnesota Vikings on September 19, 2010 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

While Ronnie Brown has not broken the 100-yard mark in three games this season, it is only because he has not had the number of carries needed. Still, the former Auburn Tiger is on pace to break the 1,000-yard rushing ceiling and has averaged a cool 5.4 yards per carry this season.

In three career appearances on Monday Night Football, Ronnie Brown has averaged 106.7 yards on the ground. If Ronnie does break the 100 yard mark on Monday night, the Patriots will be hard-pressed to beat the Fins.

Justin Eisenband is a student at Georgetown University and an intern for the Bleacher Report. To read more of his articles, become a fan at Justin Eisenband's B/R Profile