Stats Are For Losers - Miami

Heading into the final week of the season, stats make for a pretty good indicator. The sample size is trustworthy, and the margin of error is small. However, football games are not played on paper. Likewise, 60 minutes is relatively short, which makes aberrations and anomalies probable. This also ignores the injuries, weather, team development, and many other factors. Still, these stats provide a window into trends in each team's style of play.

Miami plays stiff defense, which helps to offset their marked disadvantage in the offensive matchup. Miami doesn't yield first downs or touchdowns easily, but their offense has trouble capitalizing. Ryan Tannehill is a developing QB, and he has limited his turnovers considerably in the late part of the year. While Tom Brady's INT numbers have multiplied since week 13, Ryan Tannehill has limited himself to only 1 INT. Miami is playing as well as they have all year, but the key is to force them into old habits. The turnover battle is crucial in this game, but 3rd down conversions are big too. This matchup looks like a strength vs. strength, so the outcome will be telling.

We are pretty familiar with New England, but it is worth noting that our offensive numbers have dipped as of late. Still, this is the premier offense in the NFL. Brady just needs to put his recent woes behind him. Defensively, we are starting to find a groove. Although we allow a high completion percentage, we are starting to get a handle on the 3rd down conversions. Also, the turnovers keep coming to us. It seems like the bend-but-don't-break philosophy is working.

Overall, we just need to be who we are, while eliminating big plays for the opposition. We have proven through the season that we are unbeatable when we get good execution, so that's the focus this week, and every week that we are lucky enough to have a game - execution. We've got the talent, the coaching, and the playmakers. We just have to execute, and jump on the opportunities that come our way. That is what championship teams do.