Sunday Spotlight: Wildcat vs. Patriots, round 3

On September 21, 2008, the 0-2 Miami Dolphins rolled into Gillette Stadium to face the New England Patriots in what looked on the surface to be a one-sided beatdown. And it was just that -- but not in the way that anyone expected. Faced with the prospect of going against the Pats with a limited offense, the Dolphins unleashed a short series of option plays drawn up by quarterbacks coach David Lee which Lee had run during his days as Arkansas' offensive coordinator. The sweep, power, and counter option looks of the Wildcat formation caught the Pats completely off-guard. Running back Ronnie Brown(notes) scored four touchdowns on the ground, and passed for another score. The Dolphins squashed New England, 38-13, and the NFL was buzzing about direct snaps to running backs, unbalanced lines, and all sorts of offensive trickeration. Miami rode the Wildcat and a surprising defense to an AFC West title, but the second go-round with the Pats wasn't as successful. The 'Cat was neu...