Scout.com: Patriots - Dolphins Game Plans

PATRIOTS

The Patriots might have to shuffle their lineup to account for Miami's Wildcat offense, which caught them by surprise early last season in a devastating loss at home.

GAME PLAN:

The Patriots will have to decide which linebackers to deploy to sniff out these plays, where the opposing running back takes the direct snap and usually runs the ball, and who to put on running back Ronnie Brown to avoid getting caught in bad match-ups.

Likewise, the secondary will have to be on its toes to defend what happens behind the linebackers. Some of these Wildcat plays result in trickery in the passing game, which means only the most athletic safeties and corners who can react quickly should be in the game. Expect to see a lot of Tully Banta-Cain at linebacker and Brandon McGowan in the secondary. They are two of the more athletic players on the roster and can catch up quickly when a play breaks down.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

--Patriots LB Jerod Mayo vs. Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown. This is a tough matchup because Brown is often deployed as a decoy in the Wildcat offense. Mayo is the team's most athletic linebacker and likely the only capable of chasing Brown all over the field to make sure he doesn't break free for a big run.

--Dolphins TE Anthony Fasano vs. Patriots S Brandon Meriweather. While Meriweather's ball-hawking skills have been noted in recent weeks, the Patriots need him to adopt Rodney Harrison's.....
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DOLPHINS

After two subpar games for the Wildcat package, look for offensive coordinator Dan Henning to add a new wrinkle to the gimmick, perhaps with more of rookie quarterback Pat White behind center. The Dolphins will look to re-establish their fourth-ranked running attack after a season-low 52 yards on 23 attempts against the Jets. Expect large doses of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams against a team that has allowed an average of 109.4 yards per game.

GAME PLAN:

It's no secret coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady will look to attack Miami's starting rookie cornerbacks Sean Smith and Vontae Davis as much as possible with shots downfield to Randy Moss and Wes Welker. The Patriots are ranked second in passing (291 yards per game) while the Dolphins are ranked 21st in pass defense, allowing an average of 236 passing yards per game.

The Dolphins must respond by getting lots of pressure on Brady with continued use of Gibril Wilson on safety blitzes, as well as sending in OLBs Jason Taylor and Joey Porter. The Dolphins have intercepted Brady 13 times, the most of any of his opponents. Miami has 19 sacks this season, but Brady has been sacked just eight times, fourth fewest in the NFL.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

--Dolphins LG Justin Smiley and C Jake Grove vs. Patriots DE Mike Wright. Starter Jarvis Green is out after undergoing knee surgery, and with incumbent Richard Seymour traded to Oakland before the season, Wright will make just his eighth start in four pro seasons. Wright, who has started one game at defensive end and two at defensive tackle, has a team-high four sacks this season, matching the total in his first four seasons. Green has 27 career sacks and the Dolphins have allowed 21 sacks, including six last week. QB Chad Henne has held onto the ball too long and has been instructed to throw the ball away more often.

--Dolphins CBs Sean Smith and Vontae Davis vs. Patriots QB Tom Brady. Facing the Dolphins for the first time since blowing out his knee at the start of last season, Brady won't be seeing veterans Will Allen or Andre' Goodman on the corners. Instead, he'll see talented but inexperienced rookies in Smith and Davis, who made his share of plays and mistakes in his first career start Sunday at the Jets. Davis is a sure tackler but takes too many chances. Patriots WRs Randy Moss and Wes Welker have combined to catch 89 balls for 1,049 yards and eight.....

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