The Nest

After being embarrassed at home by the Dolphins earlier this year, the Pats proved they did their homework. The Miami offense, though potent, only gained 25 yards total with the Wildcat offense unlinke the massive gains and touchdowns that highlighted their week 3 matchup. I’ll admit it does make for interesting and entertaining play but I could feel my stomach clench everytime they lined up in the formation.

The Pats did look a little lethargic in the secondary allowing Pennington to eat up huge chunks of turf with his passing game. If it weren’t for Miami dropping a few passes the game could have been closer. But by the same token if it weren’t for the Pats turnovers early in the game, resulting in 2 touchdown, the Dolphins wouldn’t have kept it as close as they did.

It was a seesaw battle ’til the 4th quarter when New England decided to get serious. For me the difference in the Pats offense was Randy Moss. His aversion to contact after the catch wasn’t so evident this week and resulted in a TD in the 4th quarter virtually icing the victory.

Cassel, despite the recent losses to the Jets and Colts, is looking better and more relaxed in the pocket every week. The added dimension of his (personal) running game is a huge plus for the offense although I hear the collective gasp from Patriot Nation every time he takes off. Belichick can ill afford to lose yet another player to injury, let alone an improving QB.

As was mention during the game, Belichick is holding this team together with baling wire and grey tape. He only has so many tricks up his sleeve and another key player going down for the count could spell the end for any chance of post season play, no matter how remote it seems.

This win against Miami was huge for them – this isn’t last year’s Dolphins and to pull out a victory against a very physical team with a chip on its shoulder says a lot about how the Patriots aren’t about to give up. The little altercation at the end of the game resulted in ejections on both sides but I don’t think Belichick minds his players showing a little emotion…the score didn’t hurt either.

Next week’s game against the Steelers at Foxborough will tell me if New England has any real chance of making the playoffs this year.

patriots dolphins nfl wildcat belichick cassel

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