Editor: Joe Bryant. Game Recap Contributors: Mike Anderson, Michael Brown, Chris Burtt, J.D. Caldwell, David Dodds, Bobby Elder, Jim Enochs, Joel Faulhaber, Michael Flynn, Kevin Goldblum, Clayton Gray, Bob Harris, Fred Hebert, Jesse Hilsenrad, Drew Kendall, Jeff Lewis, Joey Matusek, Justin Oliver, Steve Prosapio, David Shick, Cody Smith, Scott Smith, Jeffrey Stout. New England 13 at Miami 26 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW New England Patriots: QB Tom Brady had 240 yards and two touchdowns but gave up two costly interceptions as he tried to force the ball upfield instead of using the short passing game that had been so successful earlier in the season. Brady and this Patriot team have clearly come back to Earth. Despite Coach Belichick's comments about getting RB Antowain Smith more involved in the offense, he never got started and got only 9 rushes for 14 yards in his worst performance of the season. Kevin Faulk led the team in rushing yards with 17 on only two carries. WR Troy Brown (knee) missed his second game in a row. Deion Branch started in his place again but was held to 61 yards. For the first time this year, Brady looked at David Patten more than any other receiver and he responded with 102 yards and two TDs. The Patriots defense appeared to have improved against the run, largely because the Dolphins commitment to the run (over 60% of their offensive snaps were runs) forced the Pats to keep eight men in the box for much of the game. Despite allowing over 100 yards on the ground, they looked better than they had in previous weeks. It appears that the Patriots are more susceptible to smaller cutback runners than big backs like Ricky Williams. Miami Dolphins: QB Jay Fiedler ran a conservative passing game, spreading the ball to eight different receivers for 190 yards and 2 TDs. He also ran in a score from eight yards out. With this rushing attack, Fiedler won't be asked to do much more than this. RB Ricky Williams is the focal point of an offense that ran 44 running plays and threw only 27 passes. He had over 100 yards per game, his fifth straight with over 100 total yards. He also fumbled for his third straight game, however, and failed to get in the end zone for the first time this season. WR Chris Chambers ran his routes well, running a couple of nice out patterns and ending up with 6 catches for 62 yards. He had one touchdown catch. WR Oronde Gadsden had only two catches for 27 yards but almost added a 7 yard touchdown, using his size to out position Ty Law in the end zone. TE Randy McMichael looked like the real deal, catching three passes for 26 yards, including a one yard TD. He was able to manhandle and out jump defenders. The Miami defense shut out the Patriots in the first half and was able to keep Brady off balance in the second when the Patriots had to abandon the run. WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW New England Patriots QB: Tom Brady managed 240 yards and 2 TDs in his worst game of the season, throwing two interceptions and completing just under 55% of his passes. He was harassed for much of the game and seemed to be thrown off. The Dolphins were sitting on the short routes that the Patriots tried to throw. Still though, 240 yards and 2 TDs isn't bad when considering it was his worst game of the year and that he was missing Troy Brown. The Dolphins are tough. RB: Antowain Smith had his worst game of the season running 9 times for 14 yards. The Dolphins dominating defensive line play gave him little room to do much of anything. This was bad. WR: Troy Brown missed his second game with a knee injury. The Patriots passing game is predicated on short, sure possession routes and has not been the same since Brown's injury. David Patten led the Patriots with 102 yards and caught both of Brady's TDs. He was the lone bright spot on offense for the Patriots. Deion Branch started opposite Patten but was blanketed all day and got held to 4 catches for 61 yards. Donald Hayes played but had only one catch for 7 yards. He was also the intended recipient of one of Brady's interceptions. He is a fantasy non-factor. TE: Christian Fauria and Cam Cleeland both played but each had only one catch, marking the first game this season that a Patriots TE has not scored. Linebacker / TE Mike Vrabel, who scored on a short TD pass last week, again played TE in the goal line package for a failed two point conversion. Run Defense: The New England run defense let up over 100 yards, but looked better than they had against Priest Holmes and LaDainian Tomlinson. Ricky Williams gained 105 yards on 36 attempts for only a 3 yard per carry average. Again, New England looks to be more susceptible to cutback runners than bruising backs. Pass Defense: The New England held Fiedler to 190 yards passing but got very little pressure and failed to come up with an interception. The pass rush could not get penetration against the Dolphins offensive line, giving Fiedler all day to pass and managing only one sack all day. This, combined with the Dolphins' commitment to the running game, caused the Patriot safeties to cheat up to the line and really opened up the play action pass. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/** Miami Dolphins QB: Jay Fiedler looked sharp running a ball control offense and completed over 60% of his passes for 190 yards and a pair of TDs. He also ran for a TD, much to the dismay of Ricky Williams owners everywhere. This is considered a great game by the Miami staff which won't ask him to do any more than this each week. RB: Ricky Williams got 105 yards rushing but did not score. He averaged under three yards per carry (36/105) but was able to pound out tough yards and keep drives alive. He also fumbled for his third straight game. The yards are excellent but the average and the fumbles are a little worrisome. He's in a great situation though. WR: Chris Chambers had his second touchdown reception of the season and led the team in receptions with 6 and receiving yards with 62. He also blocked well and helped Ricky Williams spring a couple of long runs. Oronde Gadsden was the second receiver and almost had Chambers' TD reception, but dropped a pass on which he had clearly out battled Ty Law. TE: Randy McMichael continued his outstanding rookie season with another 28 yards and a touchdown. Run Defense: The Dolphins rush defense was stifling early, which caused the Patriots to abandon the run. They let up only two runs over 5 yards, both to Kevin Faulk from the shotgun in obvious passing situations in the late fourth quarter. Pass Defense: The Dolphins pass defense shut out the Patriot offense in the first half and ended with 3 sacks and 2 interceptions. They dominated the line of scrimmage and got a lot of pressure on Brady early.