Don't bet against New England

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Will the real New England Patriots please stand up?

It's getting to be in the critical stages of the season for every NFL team, including the Pats. Will the Pats fizzle down the stretch and lose their grasp on the AFC East and fail to make the playoffs?

It might seem a little extreme, but that's why Sunday's division game against the Miami Dolphins, currently two games behind the Pats, is so important.

Wouldn't it be nice to see the Patriots finally play a complete game?

Let's hope it happens this week because the losses to the Colts and Saints are still leaving a bad taste in my mouth.

Against the Dolphins, it all starts with stopping the running game. The Wildcat, now directed by Ricky Williams since Ronnie Brown is out for the season, has been tough for the Pats to stop in the past and it's something Miami needs to do successfully in order to win.

Pats fans are calling out the front seven to get the job done. Stop the run and put the game into quarterback Chad Henne's hands.

If that's the case, then the New England secondary needs to get the job done. There's no way Miami should pick apart the Pats in the air, but if they don't get any pressure on Henne, look out.

And that leads to New England's offense. In the first meeting vs. Miami, Tom Brady threw for 332 yards with one TD and one INT.

Randy Moss, who has vanished in the last two weeks, had 6 catches for 147 yards and a TD. Wes Welker caught 9 passes for 84 yards.

We should expect more of the same from Moss and Welker, who go up against Miami's rookie cornerbacks again. Moss and Welker are veterans and they should always win these matchups.

Chad's take: Tom Brady and the passing game struggled on Monday Night vs. the Saints, don't think that'll happen again, even if the Pats are in Miami where they've struggled at times (although the Pats have won 3 of last 4 in Miami). Without Brown running the Wildcat for Miami, that formation isn't nearly as effective (although they'll gash the Pats a few times) with Williams leading the attack.

It's gut-check times for the Pats, and I expect them to play a very good football game. They know the division is far from being wrapped up and this week is as big as it gets.

The Pats will be focused and watch Brady air it out.

The real Patriots better stand up!

Prediction: Patriots, 27-13