Dolphins/ Pats Thoughts

The Pats need to find a way to contain Ricky Williams who has done a great job in the Wildcat offense since the loss of Ronnie Brown. He has gained 234 yards in the last two games and scored two TD's.

With the double teaming of Randy Moss and Wes Welker last week, the Dolphins may try to do the same. The Pats need to get their tight ends more involved in the offense. They rank next to last in the NFL for throwing to the TE's. Chris Baker has 10 catches for 91 yds and one TD. Ben Watson has 22 catches for 321 yds and fours TD's. Overall, Brady has thrown 46 times to them for an average of 4.2 attempts per game.They are used primarily in blocking situations, but the game plan must involve them more.

The defense of the Pats must stop the big play. Against the Saints, the Pats gave up 7 plays of greater than 25 yds. The Saints gained 292 yds of their 480 total yds on those seven plays. They were able to gain 188 yds on 43 plays for an average of 4.4 yds. This is a recipe for disaster and a potential way to lose the game.

Look for LB Joey Porter to have a big game. He was shut out in their last meeting , but has been playing well in his last few outings.