Vontae Davis

Browns running back Peyton Hillis has strep throat and will not play against Miami. Hillis was sent home sick with a high fever before practice on Friday. He came to the stadium Sunday before leaving a few hours before kickoff against the Dolphins. Hillis, who rushed for 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, will be replaced in the starting lineup Sunday by Montario Hardesty. Hardesty missed all of last season following knee surgery. He has eight carries for just 19 yards this season.

Today, 1 p.m., Channel 4 (Line: Patriots by 9 ½) When the Patriots run Finally some signs of life last week. With no bell cow on the farm, a running back by committee is the best option, and last week's performance proved that. Keep the legs fresh and the chains will move. Danny Woodhead has the quickness to dart through the slimmest of seams and will get to the second level quickly. His lack of size allows him to hide amid the big uglies and his low center of gravity allows him to avoid big hits.

By Michael Whitmer, Globe Staff FOXBOROUGH -- A very chatty Bill Belichick met with the media earlier today, tackling a number of topics as the Patriots continue to prepare for Saturday's home game with the Dolphins. For the second straight day, Belichick discussed how dangerous Dolphins running back Reggie Bush is because of his versatility. He also heaped praise on Miami cornerback Vontae Davis, putting him in the company of Champ Bailey and Darrelle Revis. He complimented offensive lineman Marcus Cannon's progress, but saved his most expansive answers when asked about in-game adjustments made...

Today, 1 p.m., Channel 4 (Line: Patriots by 9 1/2) When the Patriots run Finally some signs of life last week. With no bell cow on the farm, a running back by committee is the best option, and last week's performance proved that. Keep the legs fresh and the chains will move. Danny Woodhead has the quickness to dart through the slimmest of seams and will get to the second level quickly. His lack of size allows him to hide amid the big uglies and his low center of gravity allows him to avoid big hits.

MIAMI - The Dolphins finally won at keep-away, rushing for 250 yards and controlling the ball for 37 minutes to earn their first victory of the season by beating hapless Buffalo, 38-10, yesterday. Miami came into the game 0-3 despite a strong running attack and an 11-minute edge per game in time of possession, and the grinding ground game finally paid off. With quarterback Chad Henne making his first NFL start, the Dolphins mounted scoring drives of 65, 66, and 65 yards. They were 11 of 19 on third- and fourth-down conversions - a category in which they already led the league.

FOXBOROUGH - He comes off as rude, ridiculous, self-important, and difficult. And nobody gives a hoot because Randy Moss can make plays on the football field. Moss was the game-breaker in yesterday’s vital 27-17 Patriots win over the Dolphins (wonder if John Calipari is claiming he has the patent on “Wildcat’’?). The Patriots were trailing by a point deep into the third quarter when Tom Brady lined up on third and 1 from his 29 and saw Moss open on a crossing route. Brady zipped the ball to Moss, who applied an old-timey stiff-arm into the face of rookie...

DAVIE, Fla. — Ronnie Brown predicts teammate Vontae Davis will be the first player to fall asleep when the Miami Dolphins attend the play “Lombardi’’ in New York tonight. Davis disagrees, saying he’s looking forward to his first Broadway show. “It’s a new experience,’’ Davis said yesterday. “I’m like a kid in a candy shop.’’ Despite a 5-1 road record, the Dolphins decided to shake up their travel routine. They’re leaving town this morning, more than 24 hours earlier than usual, for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.

With the game on the line, five-time Pro Bowler Andre Johnson found himself covered by a reserve cornerback. The result was no contest, just like the one-sided series between the Houston Texans and Miami Dolphins. Johnson badly beat Nolan Carroll for a 23-yard score Sunday that helped seal the Texans' 23-13 victory over their favorite foils. Houston improved to 6-0 against Miami, in part because the Dolphins' sieve-like pass defense was no match for Johnson and Matt Schaub.

Even during the longest, hottest, most grueling training camp practice, Miami Dolphins rookie Jimmy Wilson wore a smile from ear hole to ear hole. "Could be a lot worse," coach Tony Sparano told Wilson. "You're right, coach. It could be," the eager youngster responded. Wilson's perspective is different from most players because of his unusual path to the NFL. He spent two years in jail on a murder charge before winning acquittal in July 2009. Now, barely two years later, he has made the Dolphins' final roster as a cornerback and is preparing for...

It didn't matter how big of a lead the Miami Dolphins built on the Kansas City Chiefs. It still wasn't enough to keep them from feeling jittery. One of two winless teams left in the NFL, the Dolphins came into Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday with the cloud of two second-half collapses still hovering. They were also facing a Chiefs team that had mastered the art of the comeback: 0-3 to 4-3 in four games. So it made sense that nobody on the Dolphins sideline was celebrating until the final seconds ticked away, and coach Tony Sparano's beleaguered team could...

By Michael Whitmer, Globe Staff FOXBOROUGH -- A very chatty Bill Belichick met with the media earlier today, tackling a number of topics as the Patriots continue to prepare for Saturday's home game with the Dolphins. For the second straight day, Belichick discussed how dangerous Dolphins running back Reggie Bush is because of his versatility. He also heaped praise on Miami cornerback Vontae Davis, putting him in the company of Champ Bailey and Darrelle Revis. He complimented offensive lineman Marcus Cannon's progress, but saved his most expansive answers when asked about in-game adjustments made...

Miami Dolphins cornerback Vontae Davis blitzed from the blind side for his first career sack, then dashed upfield in jubilation. A dazed Carson Palmer rose slowly, looked back at Davis and did a double take, as if startled to discover his tackler was a 5-foot-11 cornerback. The Dolphins are full of surprises lately. Once-woeful Miami won for the fourth time in the past five games Sunday by beating Oakland 34-14. Reggie Bush ran for 100 yards and a touchdown, Matt Moore had a hand in two TDs and Kevin Burnett returned an interception 34 yards for Miami's...

The Miami Dolphins kicked, scratched and clawed — and even made plays when the Dallas Cowboys did that to them. Tony Romo was on the run all day, and the Dolphins picked off the Dallas quarterback twice. Problem was, the Dolphins had to settle for too many field goals and lost 20-19 on Dan Bailey's 28-yard field goal as time expired on Thanksgiving Day to end their three-game winning streak. "It doesn't come down to the end of the game, but we did play our hearts out," Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said.

Injuries mount for the Washington Redskins, and they're really hurting at quarterback. Coach Mike Shanahan switched QBs again Sunday, starting Rex Grossman for the first time in four weeks. The change failed to help a hobbling offense, and the Redskins' losing streak reached five games when they were beaten by the Miami Dolphins 20-9. The Redskins (3-6) haven't held a lead since Oct. 2, when they beat St. Louis. Their losing streak is the longest of Shanahan's career. "It's frustrating being 3-6," Grossman said.

It didn't matter how big of a lead the Miami Dolphins built on the Kansas City Chiefs. It still wasn't enough to keep them from feeling jittery. One of two winless teams left in the NFL, the Dolphins came into Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday with the cloud of two second-half collapses still hovering. They were also facing a Chiefs team that had mastered the art of the comeback: 0-3 to 4-3 in four games. So it made sense that nobody on the Dolphins sideline was celebrating until the final seconds ticked away, and coach Tony Sparano's beleaguered team could finally enjoy a...

Browns running back Peyton Hillis has strep throat and will not play against Miami. Hillis was sent home sick with a high fever before practice on Friday. He came to the stadium Sunday before leaving a few hours before kickoff against the Dolphins. Hillis, who rushed for 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, will be replaced in the starting lineup Sunday by Montario Hardesty. Hardesty missed all of last season following knee surgery. He has eight carries for just 19 yards this season.

Miami Dolphins cornerback Vontae Davis blitzed from the blind side for his first career sack, then dashed upfield in jubilation. A dazed Carson Palmer rose slowly, looked back at Davis and did a double take, as if startled to discover his tackler was a 5-foot-11 cornerback. The Dolphins are full of surprises lately. Once-woeful Miami won for the fourth time in the past five games Sunday by beating Oakland 34-14. Reggie Bush ran for 100 yards and a touchdown, Matt Moore had a hand in two TDs and Kevin Burnett returned an interception 34 yards for Miami's final score.

The Miami Dolphins kicked, scratched and clawed — and even made plays when the Dallas Cowboys did that to them. Tony Romo was on the run all day, and the Dolphins picked off the Dallas quarterback twice. Problem was, the Dolphins had to settle for too many field goals and lost 20-19 on Dan Bailey's 28-yard field goal as time expired on Thanksgiving Day to end their three-game winning streak. "It doesn't come down to the end of the game, but we did play our hearts out," Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said.

With the game on the line, five-time Pro Bowler Andre Johnson found himself covered by a reserve cornerback. The result was no contest, just like the one-sided series between the Houston Texans and Miami Dolphins. Johnson badly beat Nolan Carroll for a 23-yard score Sunday that helped seal the Texans' 23-13 victory over their favorite foils. Houston improved to 6-0 against Miami, in part because the Dolphins' sieve-like pass defense was no match for Johnson and Matt Schaub.