BY DAN BEGNOCHE
The Dolphins, however, don't seem to be on the same page. (photo: Dave Rezendes, Flickr)
“I had no clue until you just said that,” quarterback Ryan Tannehill told the New England media via conference call Thursday. “I don't think it's anything that we're talking about in the locker room thus far. We're just obviously focused on a good Patriots team that is going to come in and play hard and play well.”
Tannehill wasn't kidding about the lack of chatter in the Miami locker room regarding the game's ability to decide the division. Even coach Joe Philbin admitted he was in the dark about the implications the matchup had.
“Believe it or not, this is the honest to God truth, I didn't know that,” Philbin said Thursday, via Patriots.com. “I'm not surprised as I'm looking at what they've done the last five weeks. We're just looking to improve and play better. We're not worried necessarily about that. We're worried about how well they're executing in all three phases of the game, but as far as the standings right now, that's not really a focus of ours.”
Perhaps it's because at three games back of the Pats with five to go, hope for grabbing a fourth straight divisional title away from New England is merely a dream. But despite the 5-6 record, the Dolphins are still right in the mix of the Wildcard race, just a game behind Pittsburgh and Cincinnati for the final spot.
For the Patriots, they're behind Welker. Although it's only Week 13, this is a big game.
“The Dolphins know us, we know them,” New England defensive lineman Vince Wilfork told reporters Thursday. “We have our hands full. It's always tough to play a division opponent, especially when you go on the road and try to win. We have to pack our “A” game. They're 5-6, but they shouldn't be 5-6. They play a lot better than a team that's 5-6.”
The win would give the Patriots not only its fourth straight title but its 10th since 2001. New England has won all four of its division games thus far, and it has also won the last four meetings between the two teams. The Pats and Fins will face off again the last game of the season in Foxborough.
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