Analysis: 1st things 1st

After listening to players and coaches from both the Patriots and Dolphins, a top focus in preparations for Sunday's crucial AFC East clash is first down.

The Dolphins are averaging 6.09 yards per first-down play, which ranks third in the NFL. Their success in that area has set up lower-risk situations on later downs, which has contributed to a low turnover total. Miami's eight turnovers are the fewest in the league.

With that in mind, members of the Patriots' defense have been stressing exemplary performance on the opening down.

"They haven’t been in third and longs for all season," nose tackle Vince Wilfork said. "That means they’re running their offense pretty well when they have a third and short, second and shorts, where they can basically continue with their game plan and call any play they want to call."

Dolphins coach Tony Sparano agreed that first down has been a key factor in his team's 6-4 season, because "it is awfully hard to play behind the chains in this league." The first-down success has also played into the strength of quarterback Chad Pennington's game -- accuracy and decision-making in the short to intermediate areas of the field.

The Patriots' defense ranks in the middle of the pack on first down, surrendering an average of 5.17 yards per play (17th out of 32 teams).

If New England is to win this key game, the defense will need to better its season average.