Miami Dolphins: What Week 4 win vs. Patriots would mean
The undefeated Miami Dolphins take on the perennial AFC East champs, the New England Patriots, in Week 4. What would a win mean for this team?
The Miami Dolphins currently find themselves in an unfamiliar position, sitting atop the AFC East looking down on the New England Patriots. This Sunday in Week 4, Miami will travel north to take on Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, this time in a very different position. The Phins have gotten off to a red-hot start and the Pats are reeling. However, we’ve seen this movie before.
A win this week would be massive for Miami. It would put them at 4-0 and three games ahead of the then-1-3 Pats with a head-to-head win. While, as an eternal pessimist, I still wouldn’t be prepared to get ahead of myself, it would be a commanding lead in the division.
This is the “prove it” game the Dolphins have been hoping for over the years — almost decades at this point. While Brady has struggled in Miami, the Dolphins have only managed to topple him once in New England, all the way back in 2005. The Pats reign of dominance at home is well documented and they are far tougher to beat in Foxboro than any other team in the league is at home.
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Although it’s still September and only Week 4, the significance of this game cannot be overstated for the Dolphins. If you’re the Patriots, it’s not nearly as crushing a loss as it is a huge win for Miami.
Perhaps more specifically, this game is huge for head coach Adam Gase and quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Those two have plenty to prove and there is no better way than coming out of New England with a win and a commanding league in the division.
A win would give this team legitimacy. This is a bit of a shallow concept to me but something fans and players alike crave. Their confidence will build and they will have a real shot to win their first nine games if they can get by the Pats.
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Their schedule is relatively soft up until a brutal December. This game is huge both in the standings and for the pride of the franchise. It’s a chance to prove that things are changing and this won’t be the same old story. That the Pats reign of terror over the AFC East stops right here, right now!
Of course this leaves to the inevitable question of, what happens if they lose? And can the Dolphins win this game? That’s why this is just the first of a three part series, and I will answer all those questions soon.