Dolphins/NE NE - 9.5 42.5

[Bubba]

Covers:
As if things weren?t bad enough for the struggling Miami Dolphins.
Mired in a miserable 2-11 season, the Fish are readying to take the Monday Night stage against the New England Patriots without the services of four linebackers.
Zach Thomas, who leads the team with 132 tackles despite missing nearly four games due to injury, is currently listed as ?very doubtful? for Monday?s contest with a nagging hamstring problem. Second-year linebacker Eddie Moore is doubtful with a calf and knee injury and rookie Tony Bua is out with a quadriceps strain. Meanwhile, Junior Seau has been on the IR since Nov. 3. More Stories
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? Woodson out with knee injury
? Bills' Willis McGahee twists knee
"One cannot, in our situation, dwell on injuries," Dolphins coach Jim Bates told reporters. "We just have to fit somebody in. We've had a rash of injuries. If we dwell on it we'll get our butts kicked on Monday night."
That?s what happed the last time Miami hooked up with New England. Back in Week 5, the Pats stopped the Dolphins 24-10 as 11-point favorites, but Miami didn?t lie down. The Fish held New England to just 74 passing yards. Still, Miami's defense was much healthier then. This time the Dolphins, who are allowing more than 26 points a game over the last three, will need a solid offensive effort to keep up with the Pats.
?I think that they?re a little bit different from what we saw earlier in the season. I think they?ve taken a much more aggressive attitude strategically toward the game,? Patriots coach Bill Belichick told reporters.
?Offensively, it?s a much better team than we saw in the first game. Their point production is much higher. They don?t have as many negative plays. In the last few weeks, they?ve been averaging over 20 points per game.?
That?s good news for over backers with Monday?s total set at 42 points. The Pats, who are scoring almost 34 points a game over the last three, may be able to push this one over by themselves against Miami?s banged up defense.
The Dolphins have played over the total in seven of their last eight, while the Patriots have gone over in two straight.
Oddsmakers have the Dolphins set as 9 ?-point underdogs.

? Pats are 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings.
? NE is 23-5-3 ATS in their last 31 overall.
? Over is 7-2-1 in NE last 10 road games.
? Over is 7-1 in MIA last eight overall.
? MIA is 1-11 ATS in their last 12 home games.
? Under is 4-1-1 in the last six meetings.

 

[Bubba]

SN:
A pair of teams at opposite ends of the AFC East standings will convene at Pro Player Stadium on Monday night, when the struggling Miami Dolphins play host to the mighty New England Patriots in a primetime affair.
The Dolphins have struggled through a tumultuous season defined by the retirement of running back Ricky Williams prior to training camp, the resignation of head coach Dave Wannstedt after a 1-8 start, and countless injuries that have sapped the team of its ability to improve. Miami was a 20-17 loser in Denver last Sunday, handing the franchise its first 11-loss season since its inaugural season of 1966. The Fins are 1-3 since interim head coach Jim Bates took over prior to Week 10.
The Patriots, meanwhile, have cruised to a 12-1 start to maintain their place among the NFL elite. The defending Super Bowl champs have much to play for on Monday night, as they look to keep the heat on Pittsburgh in the quest for homefield playoff advantage in the AFC. Bill Belichick's team, which comes off a 35-28 win over the Bengals in Week 14, would lose a tie-breaker with the Steelers based on a head-to-head loss on Halloween.
SERIES HISTORY
Miami holds a 44-31 lead in the all-time regular season series between the longtime AFC East rivals, but has dropped five of the last six head-to-head, including a 24-10 loss in Week 5. The Patriots swept a home-and-home against the Dolphins last season, winning by a 19-13 count in an overtime tilt on the road and returning to Foxboro for a 12-0 victory in the home return. The Dolphins' most recent win came in 2002 at home, by a 26-13 count.
In addition to the regular season series, the teams have met three times in the postseason, with New England holding a 2-1 lead there. The Patriots' most memorable postseason victory over Miami came in the 1985 AFC Championship, when New England escaped with a 31-14 triumph en route to its first-ever Super Bowl appearance.
Belichick is 5-6 against Miami in his head coaching career, including 5-4 while with New England. Bates will be meeting both Belichick and the Dolphins for the first time as a head coach.
PATRIOTS OFFENSE VS. DOLPHINS DEFENSE
The Patriots received another big outing from running back Corey Dillon (1309 yards, 10 TD) last week, as Dillon rushed for 88 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries against his former team. The eighth-year pro now needs just 127 rushing yards and one more touchdown to establish career single-season highs in those categories. Dillon rushed for 94 yards on 18 carries against the Dolphins in Week 5. Backup Kevin Faulk's (216 yards, 2 TD) only carry against the Bengals resulted in a four-yard touchdown, and he also notched a 13-yard reception. New England is eighth in the league in rushing offense (129.2 yards per game).
Miami is expected to once again be without middle linebacker Zach Thomas (114 tackles, 2 sacks), who is nursing a strained hamstring. That is bad news for a Dolphin defense that ranks 29th in the NFL against the run (138.8 yards per game) and last week allowed the Broncos to pile up 196 ground yards. Linebackers Derrick Pope (32 tackles) and Morlon Greenwood (78 tackles), who combined for 24 tackles last Sunday, will try to stop the bleeding on Monday night. End Jason Taylor (46 tackles) and tackle Jeff Zgognina (49 tackles) have been the most reliable run-stoppers on the line this season, and combined for 11 tackles against Denver.
New England quarterback Tom Brady (3031 passing yards, 21 TD, 9 INT) played typically well against the Bengals, completing 18 of 26 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. Brady has now passed for over 3,000 yards in three straight seasons. David Patten (39 receptions, 7 TD) led Patriot receivers with five receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown, and tight end Christian Fauria notched his second touchdown grab of the year. David Givens, who leads the team in catches (52) and receiving yards (780), was inactive against Cincinnati due to an ankle injury and is questionable for this week. Brady has been sacked just 22 times all year, and New England ranks tied for 11th in NFL passing offense (226.4 yards per game).
The Dolphins come into this week ranked second in the league in passing defense (165.5 yards per game), and last week intercepted Denver quarterback Jake Plummer twice without allowing a touchdown pass. Strong safety Sammy Knight (76 tackles, 2 INT) had one of the picks, also contributing five tackles in defeat. Cornerbacks Sam Madison (36 tackles) and Patrick Surtain (48 tackles, 1 INT) will look to slow Givens and the New England receivers. The Dolphins have 32 sacks on the year, led by Taylor's 7.5, but did not dump Plummer last week.
DOLPHINS OFFENSE VS. PATRIOTS DEFENSE
Dolphins quarterback A.J. Feeley (1519 passing yards, 9 TD, 15 INT) has, if nothing else, given his team a chance to win in recent weeks. While operating behind one of the league's weakest offensive lines, Feeley last week completed 17 of 35 passes for 170 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. He spread the football to his three main targets - Wideouts Chris Chambers (5 receptions, 47 yards last week) and Marty Booker (4 receptions, 45 yards, 1 TD), along with tight end Randy McMichael (5 receptions, 62 yards). Chambers leads the team in receptions (59), receiving yards (703) and touchdowns (6) entering Monday's tilt. Booker had his best day as a Dolphin against New England in Week 5, catching seven passes for 123 yards in a losing effort. Miami ranks 21st in NFL passing offense (190.3 yards per game).
The Patriots' injury-depleted secondary continued to do good things last week, as cornerback Asante Samuel (23 tackles on the year) returned an errant Carson Palmer pass 34 yards for a touchdown. Wideout Troy Brown, who has been helping out in the secondary due to injuries, had a pick that moved him into a tie for the team lead with three interceptions on the year. Strong safety Rodney Harrison (120 tackles) added 11 tackles in the victory, and also forced a Rudi Johnson fumble. New England has 37 sacks on the season, including a team- leading 7.5 for outside linebacker Willie McGinest (38 tackles), but did not record one last Sunday. The Patriots are currently 17th in the league in passing defense (215.8 yards per game).
Miami's unstable running back situation seems to have settled into a two-back system, as Sammy Morris (338 yards, 3 TD) and Travis Minor (323 yards, 2 TD) split carries in last week's loss to the Broncos. Morris rushed nine times for 36 yards and a touchdown in the game, while Minor contributed 24 yards on 10 totes. The Dolphins are averaging just 3.4 yards per rush in 2004, and the team is next-to-last in NFL rushing offense (82.6 yards per game), ahead of only Oakland.
New England enters Monday's contest ranked ninth in the league in rushing defense (103 yards per game), but last week allowed the Bengals to go for 150 ground yards. Inside linebacker Tedy Bruschi (95 tackles), who had a team-high 14 tackles versus Cincinnati, will be among the players looking to slow the Miami rushing game. End Ty Warren (41 tackles) leads the line in stops this season, and had three against the Bengals. Nose tackle Keith Traylor (25 tackles) notched four tackles versus Cincinnati. The Dolphins had just 67 rushing yards against New England in Week 5.
OVERALL ANALYSIS
No matter how a team's season is going, Monday Night generally brings out their best effort, which gives Dolphin fans hopes for their third victory of 2004 this week. Unfortunately, the disciplined Patriots don't usually buy in to such emotional factors, and can be counted on to play as well against poor teams as they do versus strong ones. New England is far more talented, and with homefield advantage in the AFC still within its reach, doesn't figure to toy with the Dolphins long before knocking them out.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Patriots 38, Dolphins 14.
12/17 16:33:42 ET

 

[Bubba]

Fox:

Patriots at Dolphins
GAME: New England Patriots (12-1) at Miami Dolphins (2-11).
TIME: Monday, 9 p.m. EDT.

Even the best regular season in franchise history may not be enough to get the New England Patriots where they want to be.

The Patriots, winners of 27 of their last 28 games, continue their pursuit of the top seed in the AFC when they visit the last-place Miami Dolphins on Monday night.

During last season's run to their second Super Bowl title in three years, the Patriots had the luxury of playing both of their playoff games at home, where they have won 18 straight counting playoffs.

Playing at home is a huge advantage for any team, but particularly for New England, which beat Tennessee 17-14 in frigid temperatures before containing Peyton Manning in a 24-14 victory over Indianapolis in the AFC Championship game.

Despite losing only once this season, the Patriots would be the second seed behind Pittsburgh if the season ended today and could be forced to play the Steelers on the road if they met in the postseason. New England, a franchise-best 14-2 last season, suffered its only loss at Pittsburgh 34-20 on Oct. 31.

Although their sixth consecutive win was far from perfect, the Patriots clinched the AFC East title with a 35-28 victory over Cincinnati on Sunday.

"It's always an honor, and we accept the honor, of making the playoffs," Patriots defensive lineman Richard Seymour said. "But we still have work to do."

A strong performance by quarterback Tom Brady and the offense bailed out the defense, which allowed 478 total yards after giving up 411 in the previous two games combined.

"We just can't let a team go up and down the field like that," safety Rodney Harrison said. "We just weren't able to stop them. We're happy to get the win, don't get me wrong. But we can and have to play a lot better than this."

Brady was 18-of-26 for 260 yards with two touchdowns, and the Patriots forced two turnovers inside the 20-yard line and a third that was returned for a touchdown.

Much of the Patriots' success can be attributed to the play calling of offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, who was hired as head coach at Notre Dame earlier this week. Although Weis will finish this season with the Patriots, it remains to be seen how much of a distraction, if any, his departure will be.

Head coach Bill Belichick doesn't expect Weis' new position to affect his duties with New England.

"Charlie and I have talked about it. We've had good communication, good thoughts on it," he said. "I've been through it before, so we'll work through it."

The offseason addition of running back Corey Dillon has certainly made Weis' job easier, and the running back is likely headed for the best season of his eight-year career.

Dillon, third in the AFC with 1,309 yards after gaining 88 against his former team Sunday, has rushed for 100 yards or more in seven of 12 games as a Patriot. With three games left in the regular season, he is 127 yards shy of breaking his career high for yards in a season, set in 2000 with the Bengals.

A miserable season can't end soon enough for the Dolphins, who already have matched a franchise record with 11 losses, set by the inaugural 1966 team. Miami, tied with San Francisco for the league's worst record, needs to win one of its final three games to avoid setting a team record-low with two wins.

"We shouldn't have any trouble getting ready for the world champion New England Patriots," interim coach Jim Bates said. "They're in our division. We know how good a football team they are. There's not any weaknesses in this football team. They're well-coached. We'll be ready to play."

It seems no matter how the Dolphins fare down the stretch, Bates will not remain head coach. The team appears to be settled on Nick Saban as its top choice, though as of Friday, Miami was putting its courtship of the LSU coach on hold to comply with the NFL's hiring policy by interviewing a minority candidate.

"I think an offer is very imminent," LSU athletic director Skip Bertman said.

Although he has won only once in four games since replacing Dave Wannstedt, Bates has the Dolphins playing better than they did earlier in the season.

Bates' three losses have been by a combined 20 points, including Sunday's 20-17 defeat at Denver. Sunday marked the third time this season that the Dolphins were beaten by three or fewer points.

STANDINGS: Patriots - 1st place, AFC East. Dolphins - 4th place, AFC East.

PATRIOTS LEADERS: Offense - Brady, 3,031 passing yards and 21 passing TDs; Dillon, 1,309 rushing yards and 10 rushing TDs; David Givens, 52 receptions and 780 receiving yards; David Patten, 7 receiving TDs. Defense - Willie McGinest, 7 1/2 sacks; Troy Brown and Eugene Wilson, 3 INTs.

DOLPHINS LEADERS: Offense - A.J. Feeley, 1,519 passing yards and 9 passing TDs; Sammy Morris, 338 rushing yards and 3 rushing TDs; Chris Chambers, 59 receptions, 703 receiving yards and 6 receiving TDs. Defense - Jason Taylor, 7 1/2 sacks; Patrick Surtain, 3 INTs.

PATRIOTS TEAM RANK: Rushing Offense - 129.2 yards per game (8th in NFL); Passing Offense - 226.4 ypg (11th); Total Offense - 355.6 ypg (9th). Rushing Defense - 103 ypg (9th); Passing Defense - 215.8 ypg (17th); Total Defense - 318.8 ypg (11th).

DOLPHINS TEAM RANK: Rushing Offense - 82.6 ypg (31st); Passing Offense - 190.3 ypg (21st); Total Offense - 272.9 ypg (28th). Rushing Defense - 138.8 ypg (29th); Passing Defense - 165.5 ypg (2nd); Total Defense - 304.2 ypg (8th).

LAST MEETING: Oct. 10; Patriots, 24-10. At Foxboro, Mass., Brady threw for two touchdowns despite going just 7-for-19 for 76 yards - his worst statistical game as a pro - and Dillon carried 18 times for 94 yards as New England won its NFL-record 19th straight game.

STREAKS AND NOTES: Patriots - New England has scored first in an NFL-record 18 consecutive games. ... The Patriots have won 31 games in a row when leading at the half, the longest streak in the league since 1970. ... WR Patten has eight receptions in his last two games after he had seven in his previous four contests. Dolphins - Miami has lost four straight and five of six against New England after winning five straight in the series. ... In five games against the AFC East, TE Randy McMichael has 21 catches for 248 yards. ... K Olindo Mare needs three points to surpass Garo Yepremian (830) for the most in club history.

ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Patriots - 5-1 on the road; Dolphins - 1-5 at home.

INJURIES: Patriots - DOUBTFUL: CB Ty Law (foot); S Dexter Reid (shoulder). QUESTIONABLE: LB Matt Chatham (hamstring); CB Randall Gay (arm); WR Givens (ankle); TE Daniel Graham (rib); WR Bethel Johnson (thigh); LB Roman Phifer (calf); CB Tyrone Poole (knee); CB Asante Samuel (shoulder). PROBABLE: QB Brady (right shoulder); S Harrison (flu); QB Jim Miller (right shoulder). Dolphins - OUT: LB Tony Bua (quadricep). DOUBTFUL: LB Eddie Moore (knee/calf); LB Zach Thomas (hamstring). PROBABLE: DE David Bowens (back); QB Feeley (pectoral); K Mare (right calf); T McIntosh (back/ankle); RB Morris (ribs); DT Bryan Robinson (knee/shin); T John St. Clair (knee); LB Renauld