FOXBORO -- The Patriots have something to play for today. If they beat the Dolphins, they clinch home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. That's a big deal for a team that dosen't lose at home very often.
The Dolphins have something to play for today also. They're playing for jobs. They're playing for pride. They're playing for a win.
I cannot tell you which, if either, really matters more. I assume as professionals, a certain amount of pride will kick in once the game begins.
It'll be interesting to see what Charles Clay does today, as he's the team's only legitimate receiving tight end option for Miami. I believe the Dolphins will be using multiple receiver sets most of the day. That's the best way to attack a New England's secondary that is low on numbers due to injuries. It also makes more sense to use Davone Bess, Brian Hartline and Brandon Marshall than Will Yeatman or Jeron Mastrud.
It'll be interesting to see how the Dolphins deal with New England tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, who arguably are the best pair of tight ends in the NFL.
And then there's this: It'll be interesting to see how you react to today's game. You know the stakes. You know what a win means, both positve and negative, assuming you've been keeping up with the college quarterback situation. You also know that a loss has certain meaning, both positive and negative, relative to players who want to stay, relative to draft draft position, etc ...
The inactives today are Ray Feinga, Steve Slaton, Ryan Baker, Ryan Cook, Anthony Fasano, Will Barker and Pat Devlin.
There will be a live blog today. It begins in the comments section at kickoff. Meet me there.
Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukka!
Why Davone Bess stopped running on that ball is beyond me. Also, I think he dropped it. We'll see.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 24, 2011 at 01:11 PM
Is Todd Bowles a metro sexual ?....NO I think not...would Todd Bowles want his daughter dating a metros sexual...Nope....Todd Bowles our last line of defense against Metro sexsuals
Posted by: SoiledBottom | December 24, 2011 at 01:11 PM
With a name like "soiledbottom" we definitely know youre not metro-sexual! LOL
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | December 24, 2011 at 01:13 PM
soiled bottom is the man...thank you!!!!
Posted by: h | December 24, 2011 at 01:14 PM
WE CAN'T BE CALLING TIME OUTS, DROPPING BALLS, HAVING ROOKIES BLOCKING AND SCORING 3 POINTS + EVEN COMPETE-MUSCH LESS WIN
Posted by: David | December 24, 2011 at 01:14 PM
Difference between 47 FG and 41 yarder is not a big deal to Dan Carpenter. The reversal of the ruling does not hurt the Dolphins.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 24, 2011 at 01:15 PM
You know what still really bugs me? Why didn't we look at Plaxico? Ireland wants to build this team his way and no one elses way. He can't do it unless he looks at all the alternatives out there.
Posted by: Jeff Suckland | December 24, 2011 at 01:16 PM
Sparano should be happy in home watching the field goal.......
Posted by: tony in miami | December 24, 2011 at 01:16 PM
Money.
Posted by: dolfanSF | December 24, 2011 at 01:16 PM
Go Doplhins, I hate Brady
Eddie - My Blog
Posted by: Eddie | December 24, 2011 at 01:17 PM
"Fisting" still alive in Miami. The "pump" is not broken folks!
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | December 24, 2011 at 01:17 PM
Aloca, if I every paid any attention to anything you write, I'd be hurt by your last comment.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 24, 2011 at 01:17 PM
It was Bess who cost the Dolphins the first down. Moore threw the ball to where Bess was supposed to be but he stopped running.
Bess has been inconsistent in route runnning this year and last year. Big reason for int's last year.
Posted by: Professor Lou | December 24, 2011 at 01:17 PM
Difference between 47 FG and 41 yarder is not a big deal to Dan Carpenter.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 24, 2011 at 01:15 PM
This first statement should have begun with 'The'. In the English language, writing, "Difference between", is not correct.
Posted by: English 101 | December 24, 2011 at 01:17 PM
Fins-KC 1971 game @ on NFLN @ 6pm
Posted by: nyfinfan | December 24, 2011 at 01:18 PM
ALoca? Good one Armando! LOL
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | December 24, 2011 at 01:18 PM
ALoca, I love it! LOL
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | December 24, 2011 at 01:19 PM
Thats tomorrow
Posted by: nyfinfan | December 24, 2011 at 01:19 PM
Pats go with their nickel offense and then run the ball for a first down. Tough to deal with that.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 24, 2011 at 01:19 PM
I THINK KRIS IS ONE OF THE MOST ADMIRED POSTERS ON THIS FOURM .
DB/YG............. WHAT SAY YOU ?
Posted by: ALoco | December 24, 2011 at 01:20 PM
The Pats exlax point express is warming up!
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | December 24, 2011 at 01:20 PM
The last time Miami faced New England....there where dozens of dead or dying dolphins lying all over the field...while a get away car filled with people earing UGGS and Man Purses leaving the scene of the crime....its a gang of Metro sexuals from New England
Posted by: SoiledBottom | December 24, 2011 at 01:21 PM
good hit by Dansby, the metro sexual in a while will drop some feathers
Posted by: tony in miami | December 24, 2011 at 01:21 PM
in the end zone
Posted by: tony in miami | December 24, 2011 at 01:22 PM
ALoco,
Aramando called you "ALoca" @1:17 pm. lol
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | December 24, 2011 at 01:22 PM
The Dolphins are blitzing Dansby often -- three times so far today.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 24, 2011 at 01:22 PM
Miami has always had Brady figured out. Brady is nothing if you rush him.
Posted by: Jeff Suckland | December 24, 2011 at 01:23 PM
The Dolphins defensive game plan is obvious. Blitz, pressure, pressure, blitz, pressure, pressure on Brady.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 24, 2011 at 01:23 PM
Good thing Nolan is keeping the pressure up, hopefully it works most of the day.
Posted by: nyfinfan | December 24, 2011 at 01:24 PM
Some will say its only a blog, its ok to let the language deteriorate into mindless drivel. That kind of thinking will only lead further deterioration of society, more competition from abroad, and lower salaries here. It case you haven't noticed, all those things are already happening.
Posted by: English 101 | December 24, 2011 at 01:25 PM
Armando that's the defense Nolan always has been use thru the years, I don't know why Sparano never liked to use
Posted by: tony in miami | December 24, 2011 at 01:25 PM
Anyone have a link to the game
Posted by: Turkeycrusher | December 24, 2011 at 01:25 PM
Regular blitzing will shorten the Pats passing routes. Brady will have to go with his hot reads.
Pats down have the great speed wr either. However, one missed tackle on a hot route will result in a long td.
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | December 24, 2011 at 01:25 PM
An Murry Kristmis to my Krustacean frends.
Posted by: English 101 | December 24, 2011 at 01:25 PM
Dear Mr. English 101
"Some will say its only a blog, its ok to let the language deteriorate into mindless drivel. That kind of thinking will only lead further deterioration of society, more competition from abroad, and lower salaries here. It case you haven't noticed, all those things are already happening."
So whats your saying is the Dolphins should choose a QB in the firdt round....right ?
Posted by: SoiledBottom | December 24, 2011 at 01:28 PM
the pass on the deep out by Moore didn't have a whole lot velocity to it. If that's going to be the case, Moore has to anticipate the cut better.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 24, 2011 at 01:28 PM
Yeth.
Posted by: English 101 | December 24, 2011 at 01:30 PM
Noticed that too Armando. The ball seemed to hang and take forever to get there. Lucky it wasnt a pick.
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | December 24, 2011 at 01:30 PM
Yeah, umm err, English? it's it's it's there is a apostrophe there. You know, as in IT IS? stop preaching it's a dang blog where we have fun, don't take it out of context.
Posted by: nyfinfan | December 24, 2011 at 01:31 PM
Reggie over 1,000 yds
Posted by: tony in miami | December 24, 2011 at 01:31 PM
I'm sorry but a Reggie Bush run on third and 17 is not my idea of being aggressive. Doesn't work for me considering the opponent is Tom Brady and you're 5-9.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 24, 2011 at 01:31 PM
Bush is now over 1,000yds rushing for the 2nd time today.
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | December 24, 2011 at 01:32 PM
nyfinfan
Im jus trying to fit in. Thank yew though.
Posted by: English 101 | December 24, 2011 at 01:33 PM
timeout and a draw-new coaches and QB's on the way soon?
to have the hope of a 1st down-you must attempt to get beyond-not short of the -1st down marker
5 yards or a timeout where do we get these guys from?
Posted by: David | December 24, 2011 at 01:33 PM
I expect Armando, a professional writer, to use proper English and grammar. But if it's just Joe Fan- who cares about spelling, punctuation, or grammar? As long as you get your point across.
Posted by: Rico Tubbs | December 24, 2011 at 01:34 PM
Armando is a surprise play he was short only 5 yds to convert a first down
Posted by: tony in miami | December 24, 2011 at 01:34 PM
They got him again (Brady)
Posted by: ergo | December 24, 2011 at 01:34 PM
I've just had an epiphany. I am a football fan. Therefore I have the right to act like a dumb baboon, just like those dorks on the beer commercials....yucker yucks.
Posted by: English 101 | December 24, 2011 at 01:34 PM
Great to see Dolphins putting some helmets on Brady!
Posted by: Jay-Mo | December 24, 2011 at 01:34 PM
Reggie Bush and Brandon Marshall are both over 1,000 yards marking the first time in team history they have a WR and RB over 1K.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 24, 2011 at 01:34 PM
Armando,
If the D keeps the pressure on Brady and jam Welker at the line(hot read) we might just slown the Pat point onslaught.
Our offense has to do better than what its doing against the 32nd ranked defense though.
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | December 24, 2011 at 01:34 PM
English,
Yes, I can tell you're trying to fit in. Which why you were preaching. And Tank ewe.
Posted by: nyfinfan | December 24, 2011 at 01:34 PM
This is the possession. The 2nd possession New England has in a game is the one that sets the tone. This is the one where the Pats usually drive down the field and beats down the defense and scores a touchdown.
Posted by: Professor Lou | December 24, 2011 at 01:35 PM
Proper English in a live blog? WTF?
Posted by: ergo | December 24, 2011 at 01:35 PM
Your previous analysis is excellent yesterday's gone.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 24, 2011 at 01:37 PM
Told you Brady is getting delegated to his "hot read" Welker. Our offense has to take the Pats 32nd ranked defense to the woodshed!
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | December 24, 2011 at 01:37 PM
I truly believe that, if Miami had a better offensive line, they would win this game.
Posted by: Professor Lou | December 24, 2011 at 01:37 PM
Moore better start throwing the ball better
Posted by: Turd Ferguson | December 24, 2011 at 01:37 PM
Vernon Carey with a false start. The right side of the line now has two errors today.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 24, 2011 at 01:37 PM
Why Hartline is no targeted more often?
Posted by: tony in miami | December 24, 2011 at 01:38 PM