The Patriots will be looking to get revenge for the 38-13 smackdown that the Fins applied to them in Week #3 in Foxboro.  The winner of this game could be tied for first place in the AFC East if the Jets lose at Tennessee tomorrow which is certainly possible.  The Patriots will likely come out throwing the ball in this game with Randy Moss and Wes Welker being the most looked at receivers by Matt Cassel.  The Dolphins allow 222.6 yards per game this season through the air but they have 27 sacks this season including 13.5 by Joey Porter.  Patriots’ QBs have been sacked 33 times this season so it’s not a given that Cassel will have much time to throw the football.  The Patriots are averaging 104.0 yards rushing per game and 4.0 ypc this season despite not having a RB with over 321 yards (Sammy Morris).  The Fins only allow 91.3 yards rushing per game and 3.7 ypc so every yard will have to be a fight on the ground for the Patriots.

The Dolphins will likely keep the offense balanced against the Patriots.  Chad Pennington has played well this season and he will likely keep the passing game short but accurate as the Patriots are allowing 204.4 yards passing per game.  The Dolphins will no doubt use the “Wildcat” formation which gave the Patriots’ fits earlier this season.  The Patriots had a hard time dealing with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams and they could have trouble with them again tomorrow.

PREDICTION:  MIAMI DOLPHINS 27, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 24

The Dolphins have released WR Derek Hagan.  He played in 4 games this season for the Fins and he only caught 3 passes for 51 yards (17.0 avg).  Hagan finished his three year career in Miami playing in 36 games in which he caught 53 passes for 645 yards (12.2 avg) with 3 TD grabs.  He also returned 2 kickoffs for 25 yards (12.5 avg).  The Dolphins won’t likely miss Hagan unless the light comes on over his head.

The Dolphins stunned the Broncos last Sunday afternoon and they did it on defense.  CB Will Allen returned a pickoff 32 yards for a TD in the first quarter and the Fins held the Broncos to only 14 yards rushing on 12 carries (1.2 ypc).  The Dolphins usually good rushing offense had problems against the Broncos only totaling 75 yards on 29 carries (2.6 ypc), but, Chad Pennington stepped up and had a big game.  Pennington completed 23 of 40 passes for 281 yards with 0 TD passes and 1 interception.  Pennington’s favorite target in this game was WR Greg Camarillo who led the way for the Fins with 11 catches for 111 yards (10.1 avg).  The Dolphins are now a stunning 4-4 on the season with this win which bodes well for the near future as they are only 1 game out of first place in the AFC East just one season after winning only 1 game.

This should be a very interesting football game as the Dolphins are a surprising 3-4 and the Broncos are sitting at 4-3.  The Dolphins have rolled up over 350 yards of total offense in each of their last five football games so they pose a serious threat to a Broncos’ defense allowing 394.6 yards per game.  Chad Pennington has been very efficient this season completing 69.3% of his passing and compiling a QB Rating of 100.5.  The Dolphins have opened up the passing game some lately and they should have success against a defense allowing 240.0 yards passing per game with a QB Rating against of 109.1!  Don’t think for a minute that the Dolphins will forget about running the ball with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams because the Broncos allow a stunning 154.6 yards rushing per game and 5.4 yards per carry.

The Broncos will likely come out throwing against the Dolphins who are allowing 233.3 yards passing per game.  If Jay Cutler has time to throw the ball (he has only been sacked 4 times this season) then he should have no problem finding Eddie Royal and Brandon Marshall running down the football field.  But, the Broncos will have to account for OLB Joey Porter wherever he is on the field as he has 10.5 sacks already this season.  The Broncos will also spread out the carries in the running game between Michael Pittman, Ryan Torain, Selvin Young and Andre Hall.

PREDICTION:  MIAMI DOLPHINS 34, DENVER BRONCOS 30