Dolphins Superbowl is Sunday

Coming off the heels of the Dolphins first seven-point, fourth quarter comeback since 2005 and rookie Quarterback Ryan Tannehill's first comeback in the NFL, the Dolphins go into Sunday against the division rival New England Patriots with feint playoff hopes remaining. Sunday's game at Sunlife Stadium will be the Dolphins theoretical Superbowl for the 2012 season. The Dolphins have everything to prove against the vaunted Pats.

Can they hang with the big boys of the NFL?
Can Tannehill keep pace with the iconic Tom Brady?
Can the Dolphins defense slow down a steamrolling Patriots offense?

This week's game, more than any other, will truly define the development of Joe Philbin's squad in the first year of his program. The Dolphins will be up to the challenge but they'll need to execute the game plan flawlessly to upset the division leading foes.

Here's how the Dolphins can pull off the upset:

1) Disrupt the rhythm of Tom Brady: The Dolphins front four will need to push the pocket and attack the edges so Tom Brady rarely has ample time to throw from a comfy pocket. If Paul Soliai can play as well as he did on Sunday against the Seahawks, then they'll have a good chance of disrupting the timing of Tom Brady

Paul Soliai will need to be a disruptive force versus the Pats

2) Stop the Patriots run game:  The Dolphins were able to snuff out the run against the Seahawks and it limited their playbook and put the game in the hands of a rookie QB (although Russell Wilson was outstanding!). The Dolphins simply cannot allow the Pats to have a dual-threat offensive game plan. If they can force the Patriots to become one-dimensional on offense, then the Dolphins can amplify the pass rush and try to get to Tom Brady more frequently.

3) Lots of Bush, Bess and Clay: As Patriots staff, writers and fans can attest to, the Patriot's linebackers have a tough time in coverage. If you can get the great run-stopping but slow-footed Brandon Spikes out into coverage, it will be a mismatch for Dolphins pass catchers all day. They need to game plan to get one on one match ups with Bess, Bush and Clay on the opposing linebackers and safeties. The Dolphins will win that match all game long.

Indeed the mettle of the Miami Dolphins will be tested on Sunday, their 2012 Superbowl, but if they show the same resolve they displayed against the Seahawks then perhaps it will be the first step towards making it to the actual Superbowl with Ryan Tannehill under centre.