New England Patriots: 5 observations from fumbling loss to Miami

The New England Patriots defense won’t fear anyone

Take away the opening drives at the beginning of each half in which the New England Patriots made Tua Tagovailoa look like the second coming, the defense pretty much did their thing.

The Dolphins were able to march down the field for touchdowns in those drives, but when the Patriots defense really clamped down, they made stops when they needed to make stops.  Kyle Van Noy and Josh Uche had big sacks and Jonathan Jones made a key interception, but they still have some things to improve on, which will improve with confidence and the more the defense grows as a unit.

Matt Judon, who had a big QB hit on Tua that led to the interception, is already showing that confidence in his group.

"“We’re not going to back down and be scared of anybody the whole season,” Judon said following the game.  “We go out there as a unit and you do one-eleventh of your job.  As a defense, that’s what you got to do.  You got to continue to step up, no matter the situation, score or tie.  Like I said, we’re going to have to watch the film to see where we can execute better and where we can get better.”"

Where the defense can get better is coming out more aggressive on defense.  During the first drive against the Dolphins’ offense, Belichick’s defense seemed a bit passive as Miami’s running game and up-tempo passes to Jaylen Waddle and DeVante Parker made things difficult at times for the New England Patriots secondary that was obviously without Stephon Gilmore.

To cover that up in future games, that pass rush is going to have to make things difficult for opposing quarterbacks.

On Sunday, Van Noy, Uche and Judon showed exactly what happens when they provide pressure on the quarterback.

They have a rookie quarterback in Zach Wilson next on the docket.