Patriots vs. Dolphins: How Will New England and Miami Fare Early This Season?

As the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins battle it out in the first Monday Night Football game of the NFL season, both appear to be on opposite sides of the spectrum. The Patriots are gunning for a championship, and the Dolphins just hoping to improve after a 7-9 campaign last season.

The Patriots, who have actually acquired more talent in the offseason with receiver Chad Ochocinco and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, have a legitimate shot at another Super Bowl victory under Tom Brady's leadership.

The Dolphins trot out the same starting quarterback as last year in Chad Henne, a player who needs to show drastic improvement in his fourth season to be the Dolphins' starter by next year. They've gained former New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush, who has surprised thus far in the preseason. But they lost Reggie Brown and Ricky Williams, making it hard to believe their running game will be better than last season.

I don't expect the Patriots to lose to the Dolphins, a team in the bottom third of the league, as I don't expect them to lose to many teams this season. They play the San Diego Chargers in Week 2, who they should beat, and should roll over the Buffalo Bills and Oakland Raiders before their Week 5 matchup with the New York Jets.

The Patriots-Jets rivalry is always fun to watch. I think the Jets are being overlooked in 2011, but I don't expect the the Patriots to even lose that game. The truth is, the Jets would have lost to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1 if Tony Romo hadn't been his usual bumbling self in the closing minutes.

The biggest challenges for the Patriots in the regular season will be the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8 and the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 12, both away games. I find it hard to believe they won't win the AFC East this year.

As for the Dolphins, they have legitimate chances against the Cleveland Browns (Week 3), Denver Broncos (Week 7), Washington Redskins (Week 10), Buffalo Bills (Week 11), Oakland Raiders (Week 13) and Bills again in Week 15.

However, the Redskins and Bills have already shown they're looking to make waves this season with big Week 1 wins. I think the Dolphins will lose to them this season.

The Patriots and Dolphins will prove they are who we thought they were in their Week 1 matchup, and that's a bad thing for the Dolphins.