BY THE NUMBERS
Today, 1 p.m., at Land Shark Stadium, Miami
TV: WBZ-TV, Ch. 4 (Jim Nantz and Phil Simms)
Radio: 98.5 FM The Sports Hub (Gil Santos and Gino Cappelletti)
Last meeting: Patriots 27, Dolphins 17 — Nov. 8, 2009 at Gillette Stadium
Latest line: Patriots -4.5; Over-under total: 46
Statistical Breakdown
PatriotsDolphins
1st, AFC EastStandings3rd, AFC East
411.5 ypg (2)Offense317.9 ypg (22)
114.5 ypg (17)Rushing156.1 ypg (3)
297.0 ypg (2)Passing161.8 ypg (30)
313.4 ypg (12)Defense341.0 ypg (19)
109.7 ypg (16)Rushing108.0 ypg (12)
203.6 ypg (10)Passing233.0 ypg (23)
+10Takeaway/Giveaway ratio-3
By the Numbers
Patriots
3 — 100-yard receiving games for Randy Moss in five games with the Pats against Miami. Moss needs 12 more 100-yard receiving games to tie Jerry Rice's all-time mark of 76.
9.4 — Receptions per game this season for Wes Welker, who has an NFL-leading 85 catches despite missing two games to injury.
12,000 — Franchise record for all-purpose yards held by Kevin Faulk. Faulk ranks sixth in rushing (3,384 yards), eighth in receiving (3,586), sixth in punt returns (932) and first in kick returns (4,098).
Dolphins
35 — Players with the last name of Brown, listed on rosters at NFL.com, including injured Miami standout Ronnie Brown.
336 — Yards Ricky Williams has gained the last three games since Brown's injury.
40 — Years ago that Larry King first started broadcasting Dolphins games. The TV/radio legend did the games in 1969-71 and 1977. He'll be a guest analyst today for WQAM in Miami.
Three keys for the Patriots
1. Big picture vision — As ugly as the Monday nighter in The Big Easy was, the consequences weren't so drastic. A win today KOs Miami and puts a vise grip on the AFC East division. Play like it.
2. Miami heat — Can somebody please get some heat on the passer? Derrick Burgess, Tully Banta-Cain or Adalius Thomas — somebody get there from the edge.
3. Settle in — All the shuffling in the past couple weeks was evident in New Orleans. Will it be Matt Light or Sebastian Vollmer at left tackle? Is Stephen Neal healthy enough to be himself? It's time for some continuity.
Hector Longo's prediction: Dolphins 23, Patriots 21
Longo's record: 8-3 straight up, 7-4 against the line)
Analysis: The Patriots are a wounded bunch. Most would think this an opportune time to see the Dolphins. They, too, are wounded — without their best player Ronnie Brown, among others. But I see the young, hungry Dolphins posing problems. Chad Henne's second shot at the Pats will be a big one. And I see big things coming out of Ted Ginn.
The Dolphins stay alive in the AFC East race with the upset.
St. Joseph's vs. Massachusetts Highlights - 2/11
Penn vs. Dartmouth Highlights - 2/11
Drexel vs. Hofstra Highlights - 2/11
La Salle vs. St. Louis Highlights - 2/11
John Wall talks about the loss to the Heat-2/10
Collins takes the blame for the Sixers' final possession
Sixers vs. Clippers highlights
Sixers defensive effort not enough vs. Clippers
Post game plus crew on the Sixers loss
Rose and Zumoff recap the Sixers last second loss
Penn vs. Harvard highlights
Stefon Diggs chooses Maryland, Randy Edsall comments-2/10
Cal Ripken says the Orioles will go as far as their pitching-2/10
Sandusky makes a statement
Collegiate Corner: Philly College Hoops - 2/9
Ovechkin: "I don't think we deserved to lose today."
Brayden Schenn scores a goal against his brother Luke
What is ailing the Flyers?
Briere on facing the Maple Leafs
Flyers on Bobrovsky starting and work ethic
Julien: 'did it the hard way'
McAdam's Spring Training primer
Doc: Team's effort is 'un-Celtic'
Pierce stresses mental toughness
Globe 10.0 Who was the best free agent in Boston?
Maria Menounos dons a Giants-colored bikini after losing Super Bowl bet-2/7
Thomas' moratorium: 'I'm out, peace'
Gasol: 'Not pleasant' being part of trade rumor
Blakely: Gasol-for-Rondo trade unlikely
Brady-ing is Latest Internet Meme
Globe 10.0: Is Paul Pierce the Celtics greatest scorer?
Ranking Pierce among Celtics greats
Garnett's tale of first meeting Paul Pierce
Pierce's loyalty touted after big night
Hurt Locker: Patriots react to Super Bowl loss
Brown: 'Eli Manning is better than Tom Brady'
Local fans crushed by Patriots loss in Super Bowl XLVI
Marcus Johansson Caps lone goal in loss to Bruins-2/5
Matt Hendricks throws down with the Bruins' Adam McQuaid--2/5
Vinatieri, Law, Brown recount Super Bowl XXXVI
