Getting familiar with the Patriots' next opponent, the Dolphins, with 10 quick-hit thoughts:

1. They are 5-6 and will be playing for their season Sunday in Miami. Another loss and their playoff hopes will be all but dashed. They are coming off a surprising 31-14 loss at Buffalo.

2. One significant difference from the Patriots' first meeting against the Dolphins will be the absence of running back Ronnie Brown, who was placed on season-ending injured reserve Nov. 19 with a right foot injury. They also placed starting nose tackle Jason Ferguson (quadriceps) on injured reserve Nov. 23.

3. The Dolphins are the NFL's third-ranked rushing team (156.1 yards per game). Ricky Williams leads the team with 792 yards on 154 carries, with nine rushing touchdowns. He's also a threat in the passing game (212 receiving yards, 2 TDs).

4. They have faded in the fourth quarter, allowing 134 points. That is easily an NFL high (for comparison, the Patriots have allowed 52 fourth-quarter points).

5. They are one of the NFL's best red-zone teams, ranking fourth by scoring 23 touchdowns in 36 trips (63.9 percent).

6. They have a minus-3 turnover differential (14 takeaways, 17 giveaways). Only Washington and Dallas have fewer takeaways.

7. Ted Ginn is ranked fourth in the NFL in kickoff return average (28.8 yards) with two touchdowns.

8. Outside linebackers Joey Porter (7 sacks) and Jason Taylor (6) spearhead the pass rush, as the Dolphins rank second in the NFL in sacks per pass play.

9. The Dolphins are the NFL's third-ranked team on third down (80 of 166, 48.2 percent). Fullback Lousaka Polite is 7 of 7 on third-and-1 opportunities, while Williams is 5 of 5.

10. Kicker Dan Carpenter is 16 of 17 on field goals this season, his lone miss a 49-yarder in Week 2.