NFL Week 3 Power Rankings: New England Patriots dominance personified
The Good
Sunday was like a scrimmage for the New England Patriots.
Yes, the Miami Dolphins are just that bad.
Not only were they able to get newly acquired and controversial receiver Antonio Brown going early in the offense, the running game got a boost from Sony Michel showing way more life than he did the previous week.
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Michel racked up 85 yards rushing on the ground with a touchdown. Not only did he look quicker than he looked against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2, he looked more decisive hitting the holes.
Also, of note is the continuing reliability of Phillip Dorsett. This man simply catches everything thrown his way seemingly at important times in the game. With the firepower Tom Brady now has in Antonio Brown, Josh Gordon and Julian Edelman, having a secret weapon like Dorsett as the No. 4 and eventually No. 5 wide receiver on the depth chart is a benefit to an offense that can win in different ways.
And then there is that defense. Allowing just three points in the first two games, Bill Belichick has his defense ballin’. After a seven sack and four interceptions performance down in Miami, the Patriots proved they don’t need to be too dominant on offense to beat many of the teams on their schedule.
NFL.com’s Dan Hanzus pumps up the defense, writing:
"“Antonio Brown made his Patriots debut, finishing with four catches and the first touchdown reception of his career on a pass not thrown by Ben Roethlisberger. Mr. Big Chest fireworks aside, this was not a dominant performance by a Patriots offense in cruise control against a truly woeful Dolphins team. It’s a reminder that New England’s most talented unit is the defense, which you know just tickles an old DC like Bill Belichick.”"
To think, it’s only going to get better for this New England Patriots defense as it typically does as the season moves forward.