Tough Road Ahead for Number 10 in Red

Congratulations to Head Coach Mike McDaniels, QB Tua Tagovailoa, and the Miami Dolphins organization on a well-earned week two win. McDaniels’s first-half script had Tua looking like Yoda – the first read was open on every damn pass play in the first half. Tua, to his immense credit, executed the game plan to exploit the DB-heavy zone coverage with supreme confidence, both physically and mentally. I hope the Dolphins have a great season, and I’d like to think that the Patriots won’t start as slow next time. We’ll see about that.

Below, a few notable takeaways I had watching the Patriots fall to 0-2:

Questionable Early-Game Play Calling

Patriots QB Mac Jones has been put in a bad position by being asked to throw three to five screen passes a game. Mac does not put enough zip on the ball when he’s throwing from the opposite hash mark to the sideline, and these plays absolutely neuter drives. This is not to say that Mac has a “weak” arm, but throw power is not the aspect of his game that made him stand out in the 2021 draft class. Decision-making and intangible leadership qualities are the points of intrigue when it comes to Number 10 in Red.

Success in the Hurry-Up Offense

The Patriots offense finds its most consistent streaks of quality execution in the hurry-up offense. Not only is Mac able to make throws on time and in rhythm, but it seems easier to extend drives and make something happen on broken plays. Take, for example, the classic “under-throw-on-purpose” to Patriots WR JuJu Smith-Schuster late in the fourth quarter, leading to a touchdown shortly after. This play highlights an aspect of Mac’s game that makes him exceptional — a delicate sense of touch/loft on his throws, placing the ball out of the defenders reach. But Lord above, when the Patriots receivers aren’t making the tough catches, this offense becomes grossly over-matched very quickly. Definitely not what this Patriots fan-base is used to.

Turnovers, AAAAAAAAAHHHH!

As soon as the ball popped free from Patriots WR ‘Pop’ Douglass, long-time fans knew he wouldn’t see the field again. Sources inside the Patriots media report that coaches made a point to emphasize turnovers this week – for good reason, too, as it’s clear that this team cannot overcome any turnover deficit. I have a good joke to illustrate my point. Here’s the setup: turnovers often lead to points for the opposing team. Here’s the punchline: the Patriots are 3-16 in the past four seasons when the opponent scores 20+ points. See how small the margin for error is with this offense? As a result, it is significantly harder to play complimentary football to control games the way Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick has for two decades. Instead, for the past three seasons, Pats’ games have followed a similar script: The offense digs the team in a hole with early failed drives and a turnover. The defense allows some scores, holds strong for as long as it can, but the offense finds success too little, too late. Jokes on them, I guess.