When the Patriots run

New England has the offensive balance that is the goal of every team, in large part because of the versatility of the offensive line. The interior three of center Dan Koppen and guards Logan Mankins and Stephen Neal are tough, strong, and mobile. Koppen has quick feet and is effective at pulling, trapping, and cutting down defenders at the second level. Neal uses his strong hands to push opponents back and redirect them. Mankins delivers a powerful pop at the point of attack and keeps hitting until the whistle blows - and sometimes after. This trio will open holes for Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Once Maroney gets a head of steam, he can rip off big chunks of real estate. However, he often gets caught waiting for the perfect opening, and inevitably gets buried at or near the line of scrimmage. Faulk does most of his damage out of the shotgun formation, catching defenses off-guard as teams believe the Patriots are set to pass. Green-Ellis is a tough north-south runner. Massive nose tackle Jason Ferguson (6 feet 3 inches, 305 pounds) spearheads Miami’s run defense. He has the strength and girth to occupy multiple blockers, freeing active inside linebackers Akin Ayodele (he’s smart and has excellent speed and pop) and Channing Crowder (he’s mouthy and specializes in second-man-in tackles). Ferguson and Crowder are both listed as doubtful for today, however.
Edge: Dolphins

When the Patriots pass

Tom Brady will find out pretty quickly that he’s not facing the Titans or Buccaneers. Despite having rookies on the corners, the Dolphins pose problems in the passing game because of destructive outside linebackers Jason Taylor and Joey Porter. Taylor has awesome acceleration around the corner and can collapse the pocket in an instant. Porter is a bully. A highly emotional player with a high motor, Porter makes plays from sideline to sideline, closes fast, and hits like a ton of bricks. Patriots rookie left tackle Sebastian Vollmer will be under constant pressure. If Brady can find comfort in the pocket, he’ll have some favorable matchups. Top receiver Randy Moss will go head to head with either rookie Vontae Davis or classmate Sean Smith. Moss has an elite package of height, acceleration, and body control. Davis is aggressive and intelligent. He’s an excellent hitter but gets caught out of position on occasion. The 6-3 Smith might be a better matchup because he is rangy. When time is at a premium, Brady will be targeting Wes Welker. Welker is invaluable because he keeps the chains moving when the running game stumbles and the deep pass isn’t there. Strong safety Yeremiah Bell is an excellent hitter, but his aggressive nature gets him in trouble and he often ends up out of place.
Edge: Patriots

When the Dolphins run

Ronnie Brown is the ringleader of Miami’s Wildcat attack. The 6-foot, 230-pounder reads defenses well and has excellent instincts. He’s a very decisive runner with good speed and power. Brown can pound between the tackles but will bounce to the outside and turn the corner. Leg injuries have robbed him of some of his quickness but Brown is still shifty in the open field and will expose cutback lanes. He’ll keep defenses honest by chucking a pass or two as well. Ricky Williams is no Wildcat slouch himself. The 5-foot-11-inch, 230-pounder runs with power and can still lower the boom before he goes down. He no longer has game-breaking speed, but Williams has exceptional lateral mobility and will sift his way through cutback lanes and break through arm tackles. Miami’s line is tough and athletic. Center Jake Grove is excellent at cutting his first guy and getting to the second level. Left guard Justin Smiley is rugged and quick. Right guard Donald Thomas has excellent size (6-4, 310) and strength. Linebacker Jerod Mayo will be the key to combating the Wildcat for the Patriots. Mayo has tremendous vision and read-and-react skills. He slides through the big uglies and locates the ball quickly. He’s an explosive tackler. Fellow linebacker Gary Guyton is intelligent and has good closing speed. Big-hitting safeties Brandon Meriweather and Brandon McGowan provide solid run support.
Edge: Dolphins

When the Dolphins pass

Chad Henne is the prototypical strong-armed, pocket quarterback. He has excellent size and sees the field well but lacks accuracy, especially when he’s flushed from the pocket. Because the Dolphins run the Wildcat and rely so heavily on the run, Henne has yet to establish himself as the leader of the offense. Henne has three reliable receivers in Greg Camarillo, Brian Hartline, and Davone Bess. Camarillo has good size, strength, and instincts. He runs excellent routes, is fearless going over the middle, and shows surprising speed. Hartline is strictly a possession receiver, while Bess excels at exploiting soft spots over the middle. Ultra-quick receiver Ted Ginn is Miami’s deep threat, but his inconsistent route running and hands have prevented him from becoming an elite player. Patriot linebacker Tully Banta-Cain has been playing like a rampaging beast the last few games. Banta-Cain has excellent burst off the edge and has the power to push defenders back and collapse the pocket. Lineman Mike Wright has the versatility to rush from the inside or the outside. Corners Shawn Springs (he has excellent speed and mirror moves) and Leigh Bodden (he has good cover skills) as well as safeties Brandon Meriweather and Brandon McGowan will disguise their coverages in an attempt to confuse Henne.
Edge: Patriots

Dolphins' key player

Jason Taylor
He has movie star looks and he can Dance with the Stars. But what this hybrid linebacker/defensive end does best is explode off the edge and terrorize tackles and quarterbacks. Just ask Matt Light and Tom Brady.
How he beats you: With tremendous acceleration and closing speed. His quickness puts blockers on the defensive (his mere presence can cause false starts) and they usually wind up as road kill as Taylor drives to the quarterback.
How to shut him down: With a little help from your friends. The tight ends and backs have to assist the linemen in keeping the 6-6, 255-pounder from getting his mitts on Brady. He becomes less of a factor when you run plays at him because he lacks bulk.

Dolphins' keys to victory

1. Wild times: Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams have to establish a running game early to take the pressure off Chad Henne, who faces his toughest NFL test today.
2. Fast times: Ted Ginn might be the fastest player in the NFL. He has to make an impact in the return game by producing points or good field position.
3. Good times: Coach Tony Sparano needs to remind his players of the good memories from last year's visit to Foxborough when his team ran roughshod over the Patriots.

Patriots' keys to victory

1. Balancing act: Keep the Dolphins off guard by sticking with the running game even if it struggles early. It will keep them honest and open up shots downfield.
2. Rookie hazing: Randy Moss needs to introduce himself to fledgling corners Vontae Davis and Sean Smith and see if they can handle covering a perennial Pro Bowler.
3. Special attention: Ted Ginn proved last week he can be a game changer. Keeping the ball away from him on kickoffs is the best way to defend him.

Prediction

Patriots 27, Dolphins 13