The Acid Test: Pats D Needs to Show Metal

The defining moment of the Patriots season may have come on a blown coverage on 3rd-an-15, when Jets tight end Dustin Keller bulled through safety Brandon Meriweather for a first down that led to a Jets victory.

Then again, had they won, Randy Moss' last-second catch might have been the defining moment.

This week, the Pats can make a new moment. That's how quick things can change.

When the Patriots go up against the Miami Dolphins, the Wildcat, a pumped-up Joey Porter playing to his 2005 potential, and probably a pretty loud crowd, it's a victory like this that will define their season.

A loss won't destroy the Patriots, but it will land another blow in a year when there has been one after another from injuries to Tom Brady, Adalius Thomas, and Rodney Harrison to backbreaking losses to the Colts and Jets.

If ever there was a game for which coach Bill Belichick and the team need to come up big, it's this one. The playoff implications are huge. A win with the Jets playing the Titans should see New England back a top the AFC East, while a loss would put them squarely behind the Dolphins in the wild card race.

The Patriots should deal better with the wildcat than before; it's Miami's regular offense that worries me.

I have sat screaming at the TV for more pressure all year, but now I've changed my tune. The Jets game showed the team needs more blitzes, even four or five men less three-man pressures. Bringing five forces quicker throws, which suits the Pats' speedier and smaller defensive backs and should make for more sacks. It also forces tight ends to block and backs to chip, leaving fewer options for the quarterback.

Belichick is a defensive guru. Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork, and Ty Warren can be studs. Gary Guyton and Jerod Mayo have serious potential. Mike Vrabel is too old to cover anyone but is one year removed from a 13-sack season. Why not just let him pin his ears back a bit?

The secondary gets beat on when it has to cover along time and can't stop the deep ball against much taller receivers. It has, however, shown ball-hawk potential with nine interceptions by the starters.

So it's time to bring the heat and show New England won't melt under the pressure because, otherwise, the Kevin O'Connell sideshow may begin a lot earlier than anyone wanted. Matt Cassell won't have been to blame either.