Earlier this season, when the Patriots and most other opponents were beating Miami, Nick Saban's Dolphins seemed like a pushover. While some had projected the team as a potential Super Bowl combatant in its own host city, that never manifested in early season success. But the Dolphins have been better with Joey Harrington at the helm over the second half and, as New England fans know, trips to Miami are never a sure-win for Bill Belichick's team.

The Patriots have lost three of their last five in Miami and the teams have split the series in each of the last five seasons aside from a New England sweep in 2003 on the way to a 14-2 campaign.

And even New England's wins over Miami have been close, as four of the last seven have come by seven points or less.

But with New England still holding hope of locking down a top-two seed and a playoff bye, a win this Sunday in Miami against the resurgent Dolphins is a must. Trailing three teams with a month of football left to play, and losing most tiebreakers within the conference, any run to that bye starts with another win. Another loss, something that seemed possible during in last Sunday's 28-21 comeback over the Lions, would put the Patriots on the outside looking in. A win in Miami could improve Brady and Co.'s chances of returning there in early February for Super Bowl XLI. A loss this weekend, based on recent history in New England's.