New England's luck must run out this Sunday for the Dolphins

Tuesday, December 2, 2003
Robert Henderson
MDBW Staff Writer

The Dolphins have to ignore the blatant luck the Patriots have been receiving for the past 8 weeks. Luck that has ranged from their own kicker, Olindo Mare, missing a normally sure 35 yard field goal to beat the Pats in their first meeting...twice, to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL, not being able to get 2 yards and into the endzone on four tries. These sort of instances have plagued the Dolphins chances of catching up with the Patriots in the AFC East race.

The Dolphins finally have their chance on Sunday. They don't have to rely on anyone else this week but themselves. Even though winning won't tie the AFC East lead for them as it would have should the Colts have won, it will inject even more confidence into the Dolphins going down the stretch, and possibly end the Patriots' luck.

However, should the Dolphins lose, the race for the AFC East is all over. For the first time since the Bills did it in 1991, the Patriots can clinch the Eastern division with 3 games left in the season. So, even though all of Miami's remaining December games are looked upon as must-wins, this game is a must-win!

"It's kind of mind-boggling," Fullback Rob Konrad said.

"I talk to people up there and they don't know how they keep winning and sneaking them out. People say they're the luckiest team in the league, but I don't really believe in that. You're not lucky that often.

The Dolphins had a chance last season in the last game of the year to defeat the Patriots in New England and win the AFC East. After blowing an 11-point fourth quarter lead, and then watching the Jets beat the Packers, they missed the playoffs altogether.

The aim this season is to forget about the late season collapses that exist so vividly in the memories of existing players, coaches and fans. Last year, even after Ray Lucas went 2-4 and ruined many of the Dolphins hopes, Miami still had a chance to go into the playoffs with a bye week. However, they lost their last two games and missed everything.

The December swoon has to end this year if the Dolphins are going to make any noise in the playoffs. Miami can go 3-1 this December and be 11-5, but still only receive a wildcard if we lose to New England, or even if we beat New England. New England, after they play Miami, plays three teams with losing records. Although Miami needs them to lose one of those games anyway in order to win the division, if Miami loses one of its remaining four games, chances of winning the division are that much more unlikely.

So, entering this most pivotal game against the Patriots, Miami has to be focused, and concentrate on their three game winning streak and 10 days of rest, rather than the consequences should they lose, and memories of late season December collapses.

"The key is our mental approach as much as anything," coach Dave Wannstedt said after a light Monday practice.

"Our bodies will be rested. There is no question about that. But we have to make sure we have that same edge we had mentally last week."

This is a defining game for Miami. New England, despite their luck, has proved to be one of the best teams in the league. They have overcome a crazy amount of injuries, and have beaten Dallas, Philadelphia, Tennessee, and Indianapolis - four more very good teams that will make runs in this year's post season.

If Miami can win this game, and then win their remaining 3 games, forget what New England does and whether the Phins get a home playoff game or not because if Miami can do what hasn't been done by a Dolphins team in December since God knows when, then this team is serious.

Robert Henderson can be reached by e-mailing webmaster@miamidolphinsbahamas.com. Or you can talk about this story and more on the MDBW Forums message board!

P.S. This is God. The last time a Dolphins team won all their games in December, and in fact finished the season 7-0, was in 1984. The Dolphins went to the Super Bowl that year.