By: Scott Jackson, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer

After Sunday’s game versus the Dolphins, the Pat’s first half is officially over. After throttling the Dolphins, the team moved to 6-2, good for first in the AFC East and third overall in the AFC. Now it’s time to grade game eight.

Quarterbacks:
Tom Brady completed 25 passes for 332 yards, including a 71 yard bomb to Randy Moss. The duo might’ve hooked up for another score, but rookie corner Vontae Davis came up with a beautiful interception. Though his performance wasn’t as impressive as his last two before last week’s bye, Brady looks to be back. In the first half of this season he threw for over 2300 yards and nailed 16 touchdown passes with only five interceptions. Just double those numbers, and you’ll see that Tom is on pace to be truely terrific again.
My Grade: A-

Running backs:
Laurence Maroney averaged a respectable 4.1 yards per carry, and ran for a touchdown. Kevin Faulk caught four passes for 35 yards out of the backfield. Both of those numbers are highly respectable for a team that doesn’t emphasize the run. Unfortunately though, the grade is weighed down by BenJarvus Green-Ellis’ drop in the endzone.
My Grade: B-

Recievers & Tight Ends:
Randy Moss racked up 147 yards, while Wes Welker caught nine passes for 84 yards. Both did what they should do against a depleted Dolphins secondary. Moss made the rookie Davis look, well, like a rookie on his deep receptions. Tight End Ben Watson has improved greatly over the first half, turning his butter fingers into a bread basket. Against Miami Sunday, he grabbed four passes for 49 yards.
My Grade: A

Offensive Line:
Going into this game, the ‘Phins D had a knack for knocking Brady down. But the O-Line managed to shut down both the always classy Jason Taylor and the not-so-classy Joey Porter. I wonder how Porter will say New England cheated in this one?
My Grade: A-

Defensive Line:
The unit made the wildcat look like house cats. They stayed in their lanes and free linebackers to pursue the ball carrier. Sure, they gave up over four yards per carry. But they did hold Miami to just 17 points. Extra credit goes to Vince Wilfork for moving to Defensive End to allow Mike Wright to play the nose.
My Grade: B

Linebackers:
Welcome back Adalius Thomas. He had what was a fumble return for TD before the play was overruled by replay. He also recorded the corps only sack and blew up a reverse in the wildcat formation in the third. Not bad for a player benched just a few weeks ago. Sophomore Jerod Mayo led the team with 12 total tackles. Tully Banta-Cain had nine of his own.
My Grade: B

Secondary:
Patrick Chung has shown flashes of brilliance over the first half. He recorded a sack in Sunday’s game, one of just two by the team. Former University of Maine star Brandon McGowan might just be the best player you’ve never heard of. Against Miami he racked up 11 tackles and lead the team in the first half with 49 total.
My Grade: B+

Special Teams:
Dolphins return ace Ted Ginn was kept in check by Stephen Gostkowski. Gotskowki knocked the ball out of the end zone thrice, including one from his own 25 yard line. Chris Hanson did his part in keeping Ginn down by landing all his punts inside the 20. Gostkowski went 4-4 kicking field goals.
My Grade: A

Overall Team: A-
Give the Patriots credit for a strong win against a division foe they’ve struggled against at times. The Pats kick-off the second half of their season Sunday night at the undefeated Colts, followed by a match up against the also-undefeated Saints. These should be true tests to see far the Patriots are capable of going this season.

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