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New England Patriots GameDay: 5 bold player predictions vs. Dolphins

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 24: N'Keal Harry #15 of the New England Patriots runs a route during training camp at Gillette Stadium on August 24, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steven Senne-Pool/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 24: N'Keal Harry #15 of the New England Patriots runs a route during training camp at Gillette Stadium on August 24, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steven Senne-Pool/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots Chase Winovich (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Chase Winovich (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /

The New England Patriots are out to show the league that they are still a contender without Tom Brady in their Week 1 matchup against the Miami Dolphins.

How will the New England Patriots look Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins with no Tom Brady and no spectators allowed at Gillette Stadium?

That is the biggest question facing a team that is definitely in transition.  With Cam Newton now the man under center, the offense is the most unpredictable as Bill Belichick will be presented with the challenge of winning on the defensive side of the ball.

Like the 2019 NFL season, the Patriots defense led by Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore will be the strength of the team.  With key losses in free agency like linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Elandon Roberts, who will now stand on the opposing sideline in Dolphins’ uniforms, Belichick is depending on quite a bit of youth and unknowns in the front seven.

If players like Chase Winovich and Derek Rivers can make huge leaps, the New England Patriots will remain competitive in games if the offense struggles to score points.

Speaking of that offense, with just one reliable receiver in Julian Edelman, expect Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to be as creative as ever on offense.  With two new rookie tight ends who add versatility at the position and a versatile collection of running backs led by another reliable playmaker in James White, the play calling will be both intriguing and fascinating with a healthy and motivated Cam Newton leading the charge.

With no preseason games, this Week 1 matchup predicts to be a bit sloppy, but it will be fun to have football back on a nice day in September.

How to watch Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots

Location:  Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA

Kickoff: Sunday, September 13, 2020 1:00 p.m. ET

TV: CBS (Check local listings)

Radio: 98.5 FM The Sports Hub

Streaming:  fuboTV

With so many changes on the team, including at the quarterback position, the New England Patriots enter Week 1 with a different level of excitement.  Expectations are not as high, but a few players at key positions performing above expectations could quickly change that.

Here are five player predictions vs. the Miami Dolphins in this Week 1 AFC East matchup.

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