Week 4 - Pats win over Dolphins in Miami, but at a price - stp2081's Dynasty

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Week 4 - Pats win over Dolphins in Miami, but at a price

Posted on September 23, 2010 at 09:06 PM.

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The Pats' defense got physical in this AFC east match-up. On the opening drive, Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown tried to break a tackle and over-exerted himself in the process, opening himself up for a big hit by Patriots OLB Tully Banta-Cain, forcing the ball loose. Pats FS Brandon Meriweather swooped in quickly to retrieve the available football, and ran it just 27 yards for the score. The Pats' D would provide an encore performance in the second half, when pressure on Fins QB Chad Henne would cause a fumble, returned by the Pats for a touchdown. The physicality would come at a cost, however, as Pats WR Randy Moss was injured and sidelined for most of the game, and MLB Gary Guyton joins Pats MLB Mayo as being sidelined for a few weeks. Despite the opportunity to win via pure ball-control offense, not content with a two-possession lead and bitter over an interception early in the game, Patriots QB Tom Brady would march the Pats back down the field late in the fourth and punch it in again, compliments of Pats FB Sammy Morris, sealing the victory by providing a three-possession lead with less than two minutes left in the game. Chad Henne & Co. never found the endzone in this one, and after having opened the season beating the Bills, the Fins lose to the Vikes, the Jets, and now, the Pats, and go to 1 and 3. The Pats remain undefeated.

PLAY OF THE GAME:
Near the goal line and after snapping out of a tight I-form, Brady sees the Dolphins' linebackers converge over the middle, covering New England's TEs well, but leaving FB Sammy Morris open in the flat, and thanks to a solid block by Pats HB Fred Taylor on the blindside blitzer, Brady has enough time to pass it to Morris, who muscles his way in for 6:
http://www.easports.com/media/play/video/37585213

PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Patriots MLB Brandon Spikes. Stepping up admirably for the injured Mayo, Spikes recorded 1 interception, 1 sack, and 4 tackles for a loss.