Hours Before Kickoff: Week 13

Absent from the buildup for this divisional match-up between the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots has been a bulletin board quote from the irascible Joey Porter.

The outside linebacker, who’s never at a loss for words, hasn’t said anything to rile up the Pats. That’s understandable, considering QB Tom Brady said after the last game between the teams that Porter’s statement of genuine hate between the players inspired the Pats.

The proof was in Porter’s state line for the game: He didn’t register a single tackle or sack.

After running his mouth for the week, you’d think Porter would man up and answer for his no-show. Instead Porter left his bag by his locker, a sign he will return to speak to the press, and never came back.

You wouldn’t expect a cowardly act like that from Porter since he apparently loves microphones. But ducking the press and not answering his trash talk was childish like his name Joey, which is what baby koalas and kangaroos are called.

Though the first nine weeks of the season, Porter had been more bark than bite, with 2.5 sacks. It led to head coach Tony Sporano benching Porter the week after the Patriots game. Porter responded with a two-sack performance against Carolina and 2.5 sacks against Buffalo.

It was villains week for the Boston sports scene. Red Sox Nation claimed they tasted bile after Sports Illustrated named New York Yankees shortstop their Sportsman of the Year. The Bruins played the Montreal Canadiens (lost 5-1) and greedy friend and former teammate Phil Kessel and his new team, the Toronto Maple Leafs (7-2 beat down of the Leafs). The only missing component was a Celtics-Lakers game.

And now the Patriots have to deal with a less vocal Joey Porter. If he’s not blowing hot air during the week, he won’t run out of breath when the game starts. Miami is happy with that. They’d rather have Porter’s play do the talking.

A couple of things I’m looking for:

R&R for the defense: Ronnie and Ricky (surnames Brown and Williams respectively) will be back together after a two-week absence for Brown. The Wildcat in its true form returns so the defense has to be on their toes.

Stay a-Wake: Besides Porter (7 sacks) and Jason Taylor (6 sacks), the Pats need to be wary of Canadian Football League import Cameron Wake (4.5 sacks).

Vegas Rule: What happened in New Orleans, stays in New Orleans. Forget about it and move on.

Even though New England was the road team in the win over Tampa Bay in London, England, people call it a neutral location. That means the Pats haven’t won a road game yet. This will be the first road win for the Patriots if we’re respecting the technicality.