1. They must be able to score 25+ points, which they have done 2 of their 5 games and which the Saints have allowed 2 of their 5 games (in garbage time I may add)

2. To win, Miami will have to get away from what they do best – RUNNING THE DAM BALL!

3. Saints’ defense has made a living on making a mockery of first year QB’s and making vertern QB’s look like it is their first year (not so much w/ Eli, but Eli wasn’t good either)

4. Miami has made a living, making a living for TE’s. Ooops, J. Shockey is in for another payday

5. Time of possesion does not equal wins (hince Indy game) and neither does leading the league in rushing. Interesting stat here: Of the top 10 passing teams in the league: 1 does not have a winning record. Top 10 rushing teams? 3 have a winning record.

Ooops again. Good to have hope though, without hope – why live?

You are absolutely right. The key (on paper) should be the special teams play, for which I believe that Miami has the advantage. Just look at what NYG did on ST against the Saints. There is only one issue w/ great special teams play that can go against Miami if they do good on returns, kick coverage, and FG blocks etc. -

If that happens, then Miami may not control the clock as well as they want to. Give Miami short field position (or any team for that matter) and TOP will go down. That in turn gives more opportunities for the #1 offense in the league to score.

I cannot stress enough how this game scares me more than any other opponent (Saints fan here). This is one of those games, if the offense struggles, will prove to be a lop-sided event on Miami’s side – with everyone scratching their heads.

Miami – to win, its simple – score 75% of the time you have the ball and hope that your defense can hold off NO to FG’s. But thats the game strategy for every game every week. Not as simple as it sounds tho.

no one can stop our run game, especially wildcat

I believe the reason why teams are falling behind is because of our defense… not because the Saints are scoring a lot of points. The offense has been scoring a lot of points for 3 years, but in the past opposing teams were NOT falling behind. What I mean is, teams may abandon the run when they fall behind, but part of the reason they fall behind to begin with is because they couldn’t run. Does that make sense?

if you win the coin flip and burn 6-8 minutes off the clock, but only get a FG or fail to score altogether? My point is: game plans do not dictate whether or not who wins the coin flip. I think that alot of these posts here go “in depth” in statistics and really try to judge a team by that. Watch the team play, then base your judgement.

Frankly, the Saints have completely dominated all opponents from the first to the fourth quarter. Opponents have had some flashes of success vs them, but ultimately none could with-stand the pressure of trying to keep up. I wonder how the Dolphins figure that it is going to be different?

The Dolphins, on the other hand, have dominated teams running the ball and have kept the ball out of the opposing offenses hands in all games. I do not figure that this game is going to be any different either.

The bottom line: If the Dolphins give Brees and Co. the ball 5 times in a game (which “statistically” is a very very very low number) and the Saints score 3 TD’s, 1 FG, and punt the ball once – then that is 24 points. Can Miami put up 25 pts or more on the Saints when only Detroit and the Giants have (in garbage time) – even though Miami has failed to do so 3 of the 5 games played this season thus far?

That my friends is a stat to really ponder. Every week I read the opposing teams blogs/newspapers to see what they are talking about and every week its the same – how “statisticaly” their team can beat the Saints; and the outcomes are alike.

Going to be an interesting game either way. Miami must play perfect football, control the clock, and win the TO battle to win. New Orleans has to score fast, make every drive a scoring one, and get Miami out of the running game by doing so. Good luck Phins fans, I am wishing the same for the Saints!

Seems like a whole lot of statistical fans here, let let me put a twist on it for a second:

The Saints played the Giants, who at the time (NYG) avg. 106 rushing yds game (ryg) and 105 passing yds game (pyg) – allowing 211 total y/g. Allowing only 14.2 pts/gm. New Orleans was able to rush for 133 yds and pass for 360. If my caculations are correct, thats a 21% increase for rushing, 340% increase in passing yds, 234% increase in total yds, and 338% increase in points.

With that being said, Miami has allowed 76 ryg, 225 pyg, and 301 total yg. So, New Orleans should be able to put up 92 rushing yds and 765 passing yds, for a total of 857 yds while putting up (Mia allowing 21.2 pts/gm) near 72 points in this event. +/- 20 yds.

So the score should be NO-72 – MIA – 20 (Saints allowing 18.6 pts/gm, MIA scoring 22.4)

Anyone can take statistics and skew them any which way they want to make the listeners perception follow suit to the point they are trying to make. Thats why they play the game, no need to play it on paper.

something tells me NO is going to get probably 120 yards rushing and a td from it… and brees will probably score a td as well… and have a 270 yard game… miami hopefully will have another 200 yard rushing game along with a 200 yard passing game kicking a FG with seconds left to win.

Who won that game?

I understand what is “trying” to be said, but in all actuality – it does not matter if you do not win.

Not trying to be rude, so no offense

is turning into hennes signature play… he was like 7/7 on play action plays against the jets and i think that 59 yard bomb to ginn was off play action if i recall correctly?

that (if that does happen), Miami must continue the momentum for 60 minutes. Dont think for one split second that if you are up 10-14 pts, that you have it in the bag.

Once that lead is established, Miami must build and build (an build) on that until it is so far out of reach that New Orleans is completely one dimensional – that, my friend, plays into your hands as a defensive coordinator.

i practically gaurantee it

What about dumpoffs to the flat? WR screens? HB counters? Quick slants? Short curl routes? What happens when they line up in a 2 WR set, w/ 1 TE, and 2 backs? Or 2 TE’s and 1 back? Are you playing run or pass?

Either way, you lose. When you think run, its pass – vice versa. My point is that you have to be able to mix up the defense early and often to keep the Saints off balanced and off guard. No one solution will generate struggles on the opposing side of the ball.

we’ll see …. I think you will be surprised at how close this game will actually be… we are a lot tougher than our record shows….