Here we go, week one Monday Night in Miami. The Phins ultimately may only win 4-6 games, but this is one game they’ll be ready for.
They have an offensive coordinator who has worked for and beaten Bill Belichick. Both Tony Sparano and Brian Daboll have a penchant for “springing” things on the Patriots and I’d expect Monday Night, with extra off-season time to game plan, they’ll have something up their sleeves.
With Chad Henne at the helm they’ll have to.
But the Dolphins aren’t exactly sure what they’re going to see out of the Patriots defense either. They can assume they get some sort of four man front on run downs, potentially with Wilfork and Haynesworth in the middle.
After that they can’t know if the Patriots plan on going with a pass rush heavy front, trying to beat the size of Miami’s offensive line with speed, with Anderson or Ninkovich, or a more stout front featuring Ellis and Cunningham.
I’m guessing they’re assuming Ellis-Wilfork-Haynesworth-Carter will be the early down front, with a full out pass rush front of Anderson-Pryor-Wright-Carter (and in select spots Haynesworth).
On offense it will be interesting to see if the Patriots come out featuring Green-Ellis or Woodhead. A lot of that will depend on how they feel about a) Dan Gronkowski and b) Nate Solder in pass protection vs. Cameron Wake.
I feel confident about Solder against Wake. I’m sure Wake would generate pressure against any team and the Patriots will have to take strides to give Solder help if he needs it.
Like every season opener I expect it to be close, with some fluky bounces and turns. If the Pats can maintain focus and play a full sixty minutes I like their chances.
If the Dolphins get a quick lead and things start to snowball look out.
Prediction: Dolphins miss the extra point to end the game.
Patriots 20, Dolphins 19
