TIME OF RECKONING

                                                        Will the Wildcat work again?

By all sretch of the imagination this year is a success. Very few thought that this Miami Dolphin team would be contending for a playoff berth. Yet they head into this weekend's game against the New England Patriots with a chance to really make a statement and establish a new era of Dolphin football. Right here on the front page of Finheaven I predicted the first win over the Patriots, and for the most part my reasoning all came to pass. But this week I am struggling to do the same. Why? I think I am just jaded. I want to believe this is all real, and I want to believe we are truly a playoff contending team. But I just cant' get there yet. Maybe it was the ridiculous loss to Houston or the last minute escape against the hapless Raiders. But we just seem vulnerable. Does anyone else feel this way?

The New England Patriiots come to town hurt and angry and desperate. A loss this weekend makes their challenge of winning the division nearly impossible. The heartbreaking overtime loss to the division leading NY Jets (God I hate that) will either push them down or inspire them, anger them to come out and play with a vegence. They know this game against Miami will define their season.  They have had a week and a half to prepare. Can this young Dolphin team weather that storm? For our beloved Fins to win this weekend they will have to fix a few things and play at a high level. They can not give up the long and damaging special teams plays that have become a weekly habit. Also they have to, have to run the ball well. The offensive line without the Widlcat has been rather pedestrian. They have to open up some holes and Ricky and Ronnie have to establish control of this game. On defense they have to get pressure on the QB and keep coverage tight. If Matt Cassel throw for 400 yards against us we may find oursleves losing this game. The defense has to play its best game of the year.

So the stage is set for easily the biggest game of the year for the Miami Dolphins. A victory against this division rival keeps Miami right on the Jets heals for the division and firmly in the Wild Card mix. Wow...what a difference a year makes.

 So the game is sold out. Joey Porter challenged the fans to show up and be the 12th man. We have responded and the game is sold out. Now on behalf of the Miami Dolphin fans that frequent this site by the tens of thousands we challenge you Joey. We challenge you Miami Dolphins football team. Don't let our support and this season die on the field Sunday. Reward us with your phyical and smart play. Win this game for the fans who now have suffered for seven years waiting for a playoff team. We challenge you to give us something to cheer about and win this game.

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