Miami Dolphins-New England Patriots: Five Keys To a Monday Night Win
The New England Patriots will enter Sun Life Stadium on Monday night with an opportunity to maintain a share of the lead in the AFC East. The Miami Dolphins will do everything in their power to protect their home-field in what is sure to be a hotly-contested divisional battle.
With so much on the line so early in the season, both teams will be energized, and the atmosphere will be filled with playoff-like intensity.
Here are five keys for victory for each team.
5. Brandon Marshall and Brian Hartline
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Brandon Marshall reemerged last week against the Jets with 166 yards and a touchdown. The Dolphins are hoping that prime-time games are Marshall's niche because he will be called upon to exploit a weak New England secondary.
Second year receiver Brian Hartline also had a strong performance last week. Hartline will have the advantage of facing single coverage all game with Brandon Marshall looking at double-teams. The former Ohio State Buckeye must find holes in the middle of the field to open up the deep looks for Marshall and set up the running game.
In order to match the high-octane Patriots offense, the Dolphins are going to be forced to move the ball through the air. It will come down to whether Hartline and Marshall can get open and haul in the rockets thrown by Chad Henne.
5. The Young Patriots Defense
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The New England defense in 2010 has been abysmal. Ranking 29th in points allowed with 27.3 allowed per game and 27th in yards allowed with 379.3 allowed per game, the Patriots have not been able to stop anyone.
In fact, a Buffalo Bills team which ranks dead last in the league in offensive yards put up a whopping 30 points against the New England defensive unit.
In order for the Patriots to have an opportunity to steal this game on the road, the defense will have to step up and put pressure on Chad Henne. While it is difficult to limit Brandon Marshall, by forcing Henne to make quick throws it will be difficult for the Dolphins to keep an offensive rhythm.
4. The Dolphins Secondary
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While overall the Miami pass defense has been very strong allowing under 200 passing yards per game, it was lapses in the Dolphins secondary that allowed the New York Jets to exploit the big play last week.
In the third quarter of last week's game against the Jets, Miami corner Jason Allen's poor tackling allowed Braylon Edwards to easily scamper to a 67 yard touchdown. On the last drive, Allen's failure in coverage gave the Jets a third down conversion when the Dolphins were battling the clock.
If the secondary thought Mark Sanchez and Braylon Edwards were a difficult matchup, they are in for a real struggle when they face Tom Brady, Randy Moss, and Wes Welker. Corners Vontae Davis and Jason Allen, as well as safeties Yeremiah Bell and Chris Clemons will have to step up by preventing the big play and third and long conversions.
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4. Tom Brady
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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." Recent results would suggest otherwise.
Entering his 17th game against the Dolphins, Brady has ten wins against his divisional rival averaging over 300 yards and two touchdowns over the last four match-ups between the teams.
To win this game, Brady does not have to do anything different. All he has to do is continue to spread the field and find his receivers, particularly Wes Welker who has over 600 receiving yards in six career games against his former team.
3. The Wildcat
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It was two years ago that the Wildcat was first released on the Patriots. Certainly, the Patriots were not prepared as Ronnie Brown racked up five total touchdowns and the Dolphins offense had 461 total yards.
While the Dolphins now rely more on traditional offensive schemes, Ronnie Brown will line up behind center a few time a game. If the Dolphins can get one or two big plays out of the formation, it will create confusion amongst the aforementioned young Patriots defense.
3. Bill Belichick
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With a tight, hotly contested game expected, coaching is sure to play an important factor in which team eventually winds up on top. Belichick is the top coach in the game, known for his abilities in preparation and on the field coaching.
In the fourth quarter, there are going to be some important decisions to be made. Is there anyone you'd want on the sideline more than Bill Belichick?
2. The Home Field Advantage
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Monday Night Football is sure to make Sun Life Stadium into an electrifying atmosphere. The Patriots have struggled in Miami with a total franchise record of 11-33 on the road.
Specifically, New England has a history of losing some tight games at Sun Life Stadium. Last year, the Patriots fell 22-21 at the hands of the Dolphins. The last time the two divisional rivals faced off on Monday Night Football was 2004 when Miami beat New England 29-28.
The fans will be intense and energetic, the beautiful Miami cheerleaders will be on the side line, and the Dolphins players will be eager to put on a show for the hometown fans who left disappointed after last week's loss to the Jets.
2. Patriot Rookie Tight-Ends
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You might be surprised who leads the New England Patriots in receiving yards in 2010.
It is rookie tight-end Aaron Hernandez. The former Florida Gator has racked up 211 yards in three games for the Patriots and will be looking to add to that total on Monday night. After demonstrating that the Dolphins defense couldn't cover Jets tight-end Dustin Keller last week, the Patriots will be looking to utilize Hernandez as a big part of the passing game.
The Patriots' other rookie tight-end Rob Gronkowski was actually drafted two rounds higher than Hernandez; however, Gronkowski's contributions have been more to blocking and red-zone appearances. In three games, Gronkowski has already hauled in two touchdowns.
Both rookie tight-ends are key if the Patriots stand a chance to win.
1. The Turnover Battle
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Two years ago when the Dolphins won the AFC East, it was because they led the league in turnover ratio. This year, Miami is at least in the positive with plus one.
Monday night's game will rely mostly on momentum. The biggest momentum killer or producer are turnovers. By generating takeaways, the Dolphins defense will give the offense some shorter fields to start drives from.
Similarly, the Dolphins offense must limit turnovers. With a high-octane New England offense prepared to score at any moment, Miami must produce long drives that keep Tom Brady and company off of the field.
1. The Patriots Offensive Line
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Offensive line never gets the credit they deserve. This year, New England's O-Line has been absolutely spectacular limiting opposing teams to only two sacks in three games.
With the Dolphins expected to try to disrupt the rhythm of the passing game, the offensive line must be prepared to pick up several blitz packages that Mike Nolan will throw at them. The line must also open up some running holes in order to keep the defense honest and give Tom Brady some help on the offensive end.
If the line can prevent sacks, open holes, and limit holding penalties, the Dolphins will have a difficult time stopping a tough, talented New England Offense.
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
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