Once more unto the breach, my friends! The Dolphins may lie dead and possibly pink-slipped in the water, but there's just four quarters left of Miami football as the interminable offseason stalks with gaping maw upon our doorstep.
Might as well enjoy them, whatever they look like (forecast: bumbling, field goal-y).
Unfortunately, the Dolphins will play them against the playoffs-boundNew England Patriots. It's not that Miami fans are scared, of course, but let's face facts: the Dolphins have beaten a Tom Brady-led Pats team in Foxboro exactly once in eight tries, and not since the Boy Wonder played only a quarter in a 2006 matchup that was little more than a Patriots playoffs warmup.
Bundle up a team with a broken quarterback and leave Karlos Dansby behind on injured reserve, and, well, it's going to take a New Year's miracle.
DETAILS: Miami (7-8) at New England (13-2)
TV: 1 p.m. on CBS (Bill Macatee, Rich Gannon)
PREVIOUSLY: Patriots 41, Dolphins 14 in Miami October 4
BEST-CASE SCENARIO: It's possible Bill Belichick will choose to sit his treasured possessions. The Pats have clinched the AFC East and home field advantage for the playoffs, and he likely won't want anyone to get Wes Welker'd for nothing. On the other hand, the Pats are 5-0, undefeated at home for the second straight season and fifth time since 2003, and Tom Brady is mid-sentence in a case for league MVP.
Of course, even if the Patriots trot out their second string, nothing from the Dolphins of late indicates that'd be a gimme for Miami.
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FOR THE RECORD: With just 83 receiving yards this afternoon, Brandon Marshall could notch his 4th consecutive season with 1,000 receiving yards. Since making the move to Miami, his other numbers have plummeted -- so you'd better believe he cares about this, and that his rocky relationship with Chad Henne doesn't make it a sure thing.
Marshall isn't the only Dolphin nearing an important mark: linebacker Cameron Wake is one sack ahead of the rest of the NFL field, and would like to win the regular season sackmaster title today.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Richie Incognito. Serving under a one-year contract, offensive lineman Incognito made more of a difference in Miami's ability to run the ball in one quarter at center last week than Joe Berger all season. Going up against Vince Wilfork, the league's premier nose tackle, is a chance for Incognito to earn some serious cash -- and for the Dolphins, an chance to find an answer before the offseason.
"EXPERT" PICKS: Out of 10 ESPN talking heads, only Adam Schefter picks the Fins. He is a brave, brave man.
FINAL NOTE OF SADNESS: This could -- could -- be the last time FIns fans see running back besties Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams together in aqua and orange, or singularly again at all. Both are free agents this spring, and nothing is sure. Somebody hit play on the Boyz II Men.
