New England Patriots Week 2 roadmap to the Miami Dolphins part I
New England Patriots face former defensive play caller Brian Flores and the Miami Dolphins in Week 2 of the 2019 NFL season.
The New England Patriots are rolling into their Week 2 AFC East matchup with the Miami Dolphins, a team in complete turmoil following a 59-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Following a 33-3 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and star wide receiver Antonio Brown set to join the offense, the defending Super Bowl champions are heavy favorites coming into the game at plus-18. One would think they would cover but given the history of the team playing in Miami, it wouldn’t be any surprise if the team struggles.
And here’s the reason why.
Last matchup
What New England Patriots fan doesn’t remember the “Miami Miracle.”
Leading 33-28 with just seconds left in the game, the Patriots gave up a 52-yard touchdown by running back Kenyan Drake on a couple of laterals to lose the game 34-33. It was the toughest regular-season loss in the Bill Belihick era and at the time put the team in serious jeopardy of a first-round bye.
The team went on to lose the following week to the Pittsburgh Steelers but got their acts together to go on to win their sixth Super Bowl championship.
This is a different Patriots machine however and so are the Dolphins who seem to be in tanking mode under new head coach Brian Flores. But it really doesn’t matter who these two teams are playing when they face off in Miami.
In fact, the Patriots are 1-5 in their last six games against the Dolphins in Miami and seemingly everything bad that could happen happens in the heat of South Beach.
In other words, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots are not taking this team lightly.
Coach’s corner
During his weekly conference, Belichick praised the Dolphins and the challenge they present in Week 2. Not only do they have good players, the Patriots head coach knows the team always gets up and steps to the challenge when it comes to playing Tom Brady and the AFC East division title holders.
More from Chowder and Champions
- 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
- 10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster Deadline
- MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
- 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
- Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win
"“The Dolphins have a lot of good players. They have a lot of good coaches. I know the head coach, coordinators, many of the position coaches. I know they’ll make a lot of corrections,” Belichick said. “First game with a new program is always a big learning experience for everybody. We’ve go to be ready to go.”"
We all know how former coaches do against the New England Patriots when they first meet. Josh McDaniels was successful in Denver, Matt Patricia was victorious last season with the Detroit Lions and Eric Mangini had a success a couple of times while coaching the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns.
Can Brian Flores do the same?
With the Dolphins current roster, the Patriots would really have to struggle mightily for this to even be a game. Again, we’ve seen this story before. But the team seems locked in and not vulnerable to a letdown against their AFC East rivals.
Who is new to Miami?
Besides head coach Brian Flores and a crew of assistant coaches, the Miami Dolphins have a new starting quarterback in journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick and backup quarterback Josh Rosen.
While Fitzpatrick is scheduled to start in Sunday’s matchup, don’t be surprised if Josh Rosen gets some snaps if the game gets out of hand early. Last week against the Baltimore Ravens, the 15-year veteran completed 48.2 percent of his passes for 185 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Other notable newcomers to the rivalry include wide receivers Albert Wilson and Allen Hurns, defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche, former New England Patriots cornerback Eric Rowe, rookie defensive line man Christian Wilkins taken in the first round and rookie offensive lineman Michael Deiter taken in the third round.
Players to watch
Wide receivers DeVante Parker, Albert Wilson and running back Kenyan Drake could cause the Patriots some fits on the defensive side of the ball, so it is important that the defense sets the tone early and don’t allow Fitzpatrick and the Dolphins offense to get into any early rhythm.
Defensively, cornerback Xavien Howard is definitely the star of the secondary. If Antonio Brown plays in this game, Brian Flores would have a decision to make. Will he stick his top corner on Brown, Josh Gordon or Julian Edelman?
Next. NFL Week 2 Power Rankings: New England Patriots prove unstoppable. dark
So, even if the New England Patriots aren’t at the top of their game, Tom Brady and company should be able to move the ball. Barring any turnovers or uncharacteristic mistakes, the Pats should score some points in this game.