The Patriots have a weak schedule the rest of the way so they need to finish off the Dolphins’ hopes this Sunday.  The Dolphins need to take care of business this weekend or they should start getting ready for 2010.  The Patriots beat the Dolphins four weeks ago 27-17 at Foxboro.  The Patriots will stick to the same thing that worked so well against the Fins the first time and that is throwing the football.  Tom Brady threw for 332 times the last time these two teams played and he will likely torture the rookie corners on the Fins’ roster.  Look for Randy Moss and Wes Welker to both go over 100 yards receiving in this game.  The Patriots will likely only turn to the running game to help grind out the clock.

The Dolphins will come out running the football against the Patriots on Sunday.  The Patriots are allowing 109.7 yards rushing per game and 4.4 yards per carry so Ricky Williams should get his share of yards.  Still, look for the front seven and the safeties to be creeping up into the box to stop the Fins’ running game.  The Dolphins must have Chad Henne take a few deep shots off play action or it’s going to be a long day for them offensively.

PREDICTION:  PATRIOTS 30, DOLPHINS 17

With Ronnie Brown out for the rest of the season the Fins need 25-year old RB Lex Hilliard to step up.  Hilliard has played in 11 games for the Dolphins this season and he has carried the ball 9 times for 46 yards (5.1 ypc) and he has also caught 4 passes for 22 yards (5.5 avg).  Hilliard also has 11 tackles mostly on special teams and he will keep those jobs as well as being the #2 RB for the Fins the rest of the year as long as he stays healthy.  Ricky Williams is getting up in age so the Dolphins need Hilliard to step up the rest of the way to help keep him fresh.