By Omar Kelly

Sun Sentinel

4:00 p.m. EST, December 1, 2012
Everyone wants to make this Sunday's game against the New England Patriots a measuring stick game.

I'm not sure that's wise or responsible considering the Patriots are on pace to shatter a number of NFL records, and are presently the hottest team in the league.

Keeping pace with New England is a race few teams in the NFL can win, so it might not be wise to say the Dolphins aren't on solid footing if they lose, or get blown out tomorrow.

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I've found steady improvement from most of this Dolphins team, but the offense is behind the defense.

Davone Bess and Brian Hartline are on pace to catch 1,000 yards of passes. But they are also the only receivers the Dolphins regularly use.

Bess is rated by ProFootballFocus.com as the NFL's 19th best receiver. I found it interesting that he's second in the NFL in producing missed tackles (14), behind Minnesota's Percy Harvin (22). He averages 4.7 yards after the catch.

I point this out because many Dolphins fans claim Bess produces few yards after the catch. That's not accurate.

Hartline's ranking has been on a steady decline since his hot start. He's presently ranked as the NFL's 30th best receiver. Out of every receiver who has played 300 or more snaps this season Hartline ranked 26th in yards per reception (14.7)....

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Jake Long checks in as the NFL's 46th best offensive tackle, but it is his run blocking grade (-2.4) that brings him down. Long has allowed four sacks this season, but only 24 offensive tackle have allowed fewer. He's allowed nine quarterback pressures in 11 games. Only eight offensive lineman have given up fewer. And keep in mind Long rarely gets help from a tight end or tailback on his side.

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This week, the Patriots will deal with one of the best slot receivers not named Welker, Davone Bess of the Miami Dolphins.

Bess, who's signed through 2013 with Miami, is an intriguing player. At 5-10, 190, he's a little more solidly built than Welker. He's also a little faster. Bess is a player I used to think could be plugged into the New England offense in place of Welker and give identical production.

Bess is rated by ProFootballFocus.com as the NFL's 19th best receiver. I found it interesting that he's second in the NFL in producing missed tackles (14), behind Minnesota's Percy Harvin (22). He averages 4.7 yards after the catch.

I point this out because many Dolphins fans claim Bess produces few yards after the catch. That's not accurate.

Bess has 202 YAC this year, which places him 58th on the YAC list. Does anyone consider that good for a WR with 55 catches?

The leader ( Harvin ) has 531 & 9 more catches.