Is this game against Miami a must win?
Personally I hate that phrase because it suggests that if a team loses the game, there's no hope for the rest of the season. I don't think that's the case for the Pats. They stand at 6-4 and while one loss hurts their chances of reaching the playoffs, it doesn't completely kills their chances of advancing to the second season.
But a loss to a divisional rival puts New England in a deep hole. So far this season the Pats are 2-2 against divisional foes with two more games to go. They split with the New York Jets, own a 1-0 advantage over Buffalo, but are down 0-1 to the Dolphins.
Now does a loss to the 'Fins mean the Patriots will not be able to get into the playoffs? It would make the road to the post-season a lot tougher with next to no margin for error, but no, it doesn't.
But due to the impact it would have within the division, then yes, it is. If the Pats lose today, that gives the Dolphins a direct 2-0 tie breaker if the teams finished with the same record. It a very crowded AFC playoff race, that would be the difference between getting in or standing outside the velvet rope. Last year Cleveland finished with a 10-6 record and still didn't make the playoffs.
Besides New England, four other teams have 6-4 records. Because Denver is leading their division, they'd automatically would gain entrance to the playoffs. That leaves one Wild Card spot for three teams to fight over. Indianapolis and Baltimore are in second place in their respective divisions and the Colts have a head-to-head tie breaker over N.E. thanks to their week nine regular season win over the Pats. New England doesn't play Baltimore this year, but the Ravens have a 3-1 divisional record.
Because of the head-to-head win, the Dolphins have the tie breaker over the Patriots and therefore are in second place in the AFC East. A win by the Pats vaults them over Miami because N.E. would have a better overall record and a better divisional record. That would come in handy since the two teams would be even head-to-head. And if things to go a tie breaker, the edge favors the Pats if they win today.
It's been a long time for the Patriots, but today is a must win. Let's see if they rise to the occaision.
A few things I'm looking for today:
Wildcat - Stopping Miami's offensive package was drilled into the defense, possibly like nothing before. They practiced against it with the second unit replicating the same plays. But expect some new wrinkles from the Dolphins
Cassel's Moat -Last time the offensive line gave up five sacks to the Dolphins and couldn't open holes for the running game. While it's a bonus that Cassel can run for first downs, the O-line must form a secure pocket and get a push for the ball carriers to be productive
Ginn and Juice -Ted Ginn is a developing big play threat who's very dangerous running with the ball. New England's patchwork secondary can't let Ginn get loose
There will be questions of whether this team can handle pressure since they hadn't faced a situation like this in years. Truth is, the Patriot Way hasn't faded away. They were within a coin flip of a win last week. This game won't go as far as the Patriots edge the Dolphins.
