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Patriots MNF is it a must win

Sherif

Sherif

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I say it is just one divisional game but not a must win. We're huge underdogs 7 pts. They can turn it around even with a loss to the Pats. They can beat the Pats and still not get it together against Houston. That's why I say, don't lose your heads if the Phins lose. The marathon starts with the Pats. They're not the finish line.

Most importantly, though, beating the Patriots with the NFL-starved nation watching on Monday Night Football to kick off your season, and the picture changes entirely.
It would instantly turn questions like, “Is Henne really improving or is he just a preseason player?” into believable answers. It would make games against the Jets and Eagles look far less intimidating. In a sports world filled with knee-jerk reactions, it would make the Dolphins look like legitimate playoff contenders just like that.
And it might just be enough to fill Sun Life Stadium regularly. When at least 15,000 tickets remain for the second home game of the season, it’s physical proof that there’s little faith in this team


Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/09/02/2387907/miami-dolphins-can-eliminate-many.html#ixzz1WuCwp6Y4
 
Its not the end all say all, since my prediction is that we go 10-6 and Patriots will go 12-4 again. But if we beat the snot out of the patriots, i will predict we go 12-4. We dont see new england again until dec.

alot can happen in that time. The rest of the league will then not have any film on the new offense but what we did vs. teams before. they cannot practice to defend something that is no longer there. Then they will see that we run an offense that runs so many changing formations with reggie bush as the man. then they will soon see how difficult that is.

So yes, very important game to change opinions on many fronts, but not the end all say all.
 
This is absurd. It certainly isn't a must win.

If the Dolphins go 2-2 before the bye week, they will be sitting great.
 
Elliott 1 said:
This is absurd. It certainly isn't a must win.

If the Dolphins go 2-2 before the bye week, they will be sitting great.
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I agree, its not a must win . . . it would be a GREAT win, but not a must win. If they play well and just lose to a better team, I can be very satisfied with that and hopefully build ont that for the game in Houston the next week.
 
I think it's pretty important, personally. Even more important than a normal division game. But there are just too many factors allayed against us, unfortunately.
 
Mr. Magoo said:
I think it's pretty important, personally. Even more important than a normal division game. But there are just too many factors allayed against us, unfortunately.
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just curious what those factors are?

Cus I see many advantages:
1) AT HOME ON MNF ON HOT NIGHT IN S FLORIDA
2) NEW OFFENSE THAT BB HAS NOT SEEN BEFORE WITH REGGIE BUSH HAVING TO BE COVERED BY LB'S
3) IMPROVED DEFENSE WITH GREAT DEPTH
4) SPECIAL TEAMS NOT AS BIG A WORRY CUS KO'S GO INTO ENDZONE NOW
5) WE WILL DICTATE TO THEM AS MUCH AS THEY DICTATE TO US

THE ONLY DISADVANTAGE I SEE IS HENNE SCREWS UP AND THROWS 3 PICKS (I JUST DONT SEE IT IN THIS OFFENSE) AND THE OLINE ON RIGHT SIDE JUST COMPLETELY BLOWS.
 
Every divisional game is very important if not a must win. I would rather beat the Pats and lose to the Texans and not the other way around. Besides what better way to start the season with a win against divsion rivals at home. That's exactly what you wish for.
 
finfan54 said:
just curious what those factors are?

Cus I see many advantages:
1) AT HOME ON MNF ON HOT NIGHT IN S FLORIDA
2) NEW OFFENSE THAT BB HAS NOT SEEN BEFORE WITH REGGIE BUSH HAVING TO BE COVERED BY LB'S
3) IMPROVED DEFENSE WITH GREAT DEPTH
4) SPECIAL TEAMS NOT AS BIG A WORRY CUS KO'S GO INTO ENDZONE NOW
5) WE WILL DICTATE TO THEM AS MUCH AS THEY DICTATE TO US

THE ONLY DISADVANTAGE I SEE IS HENNE SCREWS UP AND THROWS 3 PICKS (I JUST DONT SEE IT IN THIS OFFENSE) AND THE OLINE ON RIGHT SIDE JUST COMPLETELY BLOWS.
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The factors I see being in their favor are:

1. Consistency in offensive system. In a shortened offseason, consistency is much more important than surprise. They're comfortable with their offense. They've been running it for years. That's huge.

2. Better talent on the offensive line. Plenty of teams have had problems with their offensive lines in the preseason, and the Patriots have -- at times -- been no different. But there's no question that on the whole their line is more talented and has more time together than ours does. In my view only Jake Long would start on their line. Their talent up front makes their running game and their pass protection both superior to ours.

3. Tom Brady vs. Chad Henne. 'Nuff said.

4. Bill Belichick vs. Tony Sparano. Gulp.

5. Bill Belichick vs. Mike Nolan. I like Nolan a lot but there's still no question which is the superior defensive coach.

As for our advantages, I can only see three.

1. Emotion/intensity. Not only are we playing at home -- which given how we played at home last year holds more significance -- but this is a team that knows they're behind the 8-ball. They'll come out swinging.

2. More talent on defense overall. The Patriots don't have a pass rusher in Cameron Wake's league. Devin McCourty is a really talented player but overall our secondary depth is superior to theirs also.

3. Talent at wide receiver. I would rather have Brandon Marshall, Davone Bess, Brian Hartline and Cylde Gates than Deion Branch, Wes Welker, Chad Ochocinco and Taylor Price.

Not only do they have more advantages, but the scale of their advantages are tremendous relative to ours. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are first ballot Hall of Famers. Tony Sparano and Chad Henne are just barely holding on to jobs in the NFL.
 
Elliott 1 said:
It certainly isn't a must win.
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No.

Every DIVISION game is a MUST WIN.

You might be able to fark up NFC games and to a certain extent AFC games (although they matter more due to overall conference records in tie-breaking situations).

But AFC EAST DIVISION Games are ALL must-win games since they usually matter the most when it comes to playoff seeding/tie-breaking. Period.
 
We have to split 2 of the first 4 going into the bye.
 
Mr. Magoo said:
The factors I see being in their favor are:

1. Consistency in offensive system. In a shortened offseason, consistency is much more important than surprise. They're comfortable with their offense. They've been running it for years. That's huge.

2. Better talent on the offensive line. Plenty of teams have had problems with their offensive lines in the preseason, and the Patriots have -- at times -- been no different. But there's no question that on the whole their line is more talented and has more time together than ours does. In my view only Jake Long would start on their line. Their talent up front makes their running game and their pass protection both superior to ours.

3. Tom Brady vs. Chad Henne. 'Nuff said.

4. Bill Belichick vs. Tony Sparano. Gulp.

5. Bill Belichick vs. Mike Nolan. I like Nolan a lot but there's still no question which is the superior defensive coach.

As for our advantages, I can only see three.

1. Emotion/intensity. Not only are we playing at home -- which given how we played at home last year holds more significance -- but this is a team that knows they're behind the 8-ball. They'll come out swinging.

2. More talent on defense overall. The Patriots don't have a pass rusher in Cameron Wake's league. Devin McCourty is a really talented player but overall our secondary depth is superior to theirs also.

3. Talent at wide receiver. I would rather have Brandon Marshall, Davone Bess, Brian Hartline and Cylde Gates than Deion Branch, Wes Welker, Chad Ochocinco and Taylor Price.

Not only do they have more advantages, but the scale of their advantages are tremendous relative to ours. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are first ballot Hall of Famers. Tony Sparano and Chad Henne are just barely holding on to jobs in the NFL.
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Henne vs. Brady... Has nothing to do with the key matchup wich is Wake vs. Brady IMO. If Wake gets there and hits him early, we have a chance to contain their ofense.
 
NBP81 said:
Henne vs. Brady... Has nothing to do with the key matchup wich is Wake vs. Brady IMO. If Wake gets there and hits him early, we have a chance to contain their ofense.
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The question posed to me was what were the factors that make the Patriots -- in my view -- likely to beat us, not which match-ups give them an advantage.

Better quarterback play is one of the factors in their favor. And it's a huge factor, perhaps the single most determining factor. And their advantage over us is pronounced, to be kind. And I like Henne and have been a supporter of his when not many on this board have been. But still, facts are facts.
 
TheMageGandalf said:
No.

Every DIVISION game is a MUST WIN.

You might be able to fark up NFC games and to a certain extent AFC games (although they matter more due to overall conference records in tie-breaking situations).

But AFC EAST DIVISION Games are ALL must-win games since they usually matter the most when it comes to playoff seeding/tie-breaking. Period.
Click to expand...

I consider must win games, games that decide your season. This game doesn't do that, and means nothing if the Dolphins go 15-1.
 
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