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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The New England Patriots annihilated the Miami Dolphins 43-0 on Sunday afternoon. So why are we left thinking how much better they could have played in the second week?
The Patriots have the best trio of receivers in the NFL, but quarterback Tom Brady has only 264 yards against the Dolphins. Antonio Brown led the way with four catches for 56 yards and one touchdown, but wide receivers Julian Edelman (four catches, 51 yards) and Josh Gordon (two catches, 19 yards) and points-bearer James White (three catches, 19 yards) silent. Wide receiver Phillip Dorsett, who had 95 yards and two goals in the first week, was forced three passes for 39 yards. The Patriots averaged just 3.6 yards per race, and the Sony Michel entry lost a fumble. Kicker Stephen Gostkowski missed a placement and two more points. The score may seem impressive, but it is an imperfect performance.
"It's the second week, there is still a long way to go, so we have a lot of work to do," said head coach Bill Belichick at the end of the match. "We'll just get back and start preparing for the Jets."
For once, this does not sound like a typical speech of the coach of the clichés of the Patriots. The Patriots offensive had some problems on Sunday. The Patriots led * only * 13-0 at the half. They did not really open the game until the end of the third quarter, when they took the lead with three points. Then the game really exploded.
He did not help that the Patriots entered the match without their right tackle at the start and they lost their left tackle early. Marshall Newhouse, who was signed this week, started the right tackle then joined Brady's blind. Korey Cunningham, acquired in late August, played the essence of the game on the right. It was not ideal either that the heat index be greater than 100 degrees for most of the game, and it was as if the Patriots were playing in a cloud of steam.
The Patriots were also trying to get Brown on the offensive after less than a week on the team. Increasing pains were expected and occurred. Brady hit Brown on his first four targets, but missed him on the next four.
All this to say that the Patriots, at least in violation, have not yet reached their ceiling. This is not yet the top of the patriots. The 2019 team is still climbing to the top.
It's really scary for the rest of the NFL since the Patriots have just defeated a real NFL 43-0 team. If the Patriots recover even one of their offensive shots, if Brown can continue to learn the offensive, if any of Gordon, Edelman or Dorsett leaves, if Michel starts to show his potential of the Last year's playoff race, if White starts to get scammed 10-shot games, if the Patriots play in a normal climate, what's going on?
The Patriots are not likely to go 16-0 this season. It is extremely unlikely that a team can achieve this level of excellence twice in 12 years. It will not be a disappointment if the 2019 team loses a game this season. But unbeaten on the table. Given all the attacking skills and the current defensive success rate, this is a team with no normal cap.
Photo thumbnail via Jasen Vinlove / USA TODAY Sports Images
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