The red hot Saints come to town to face a Miami Dolphins squad that is also beginning to gain some steam.  Remember when these two teams played in week 4 of the preseason?  I don’t think you have to be a psychic to realize that the Saints will probably put up more than 7 points this Sunday.  With two weeks of preparation and an extra week of rest, this is a prime opportunity for the fins to prove that their past two wins were no hoax and that this team is for real.

Lets not forget the fact that a win on Sunday could provide much needed confidence for upcoming weeks AT the Jets and AT the Patriots.  The Dolphins must win two of these three games if the playoffs are a realistic goal.

The Dolphins will win if…

1) They eliminate the big play.  The Saints are number one in the league with only 81 first downs allowed.  Who is number 2?  The Dolphins with 82.  Why are the Saints 6-0 and the Dolphins 2-3?  Solely because the big play has KILLED this team so far in 2009.  Pressure is on two rookie corners and Will Allen to keep Brees and his arsenal in check.  Keeping the Saints in a short to mid-range passing game is key.

2) They dominate time of possession.  Lets face it.  The Giants, though slightly overrated, were torched in New Orleans.  No team in the league is going to stop the Saints.  Time of possession will be the most critical statistic in this game.  Less than 35 minutes on offense and Miami will lose…and probably lose big.

3) They Run. The. Ball.  Ronnie and Ricky lead the 3rd ranked rushing game versus the Saints 3rd ranked rushing D.  Not only will running the ball eat the clock and keep Brees off the field, but it will wear down the defensive line and give Henne a chance to pass.

4) Henne doesn’t turn the ball over.  Chad will face 8 man fronts and exotic blitzes all day just as Sanchez experienced.  Turnovers will be at a premium this week.  Put the Saints on a short field and the score may get out of hand.

5) The phins blitz and do so creatively.  The Dolphins don’t have enough pro-bowl caliber skill on defense to play with Shockey, Henderson, Colston, and Bush/Pierre Thomas coming out of the backfield.  Without pressure the defense will get picked apart. At a minimum Drew Brees must get hit.  If he isn’t hurting after this game their will be a lot of nightmares for Dolphins fans on Sunday night.

By losing their first three games the Dolphins have made every game a must win.  This pressure, the momentum of two straight conference wins, and a disciplined game plan make this game intriguing.  Lets not forget what happens to teams that win huge games early in the year and get over-hyped by the media.   There are a lot of “what-ifs” going into this week, but a win and South Florida suddenly harbors a team that no one will want to play.