HOW THE PATRIOTS CAN ROCK A HARD WIN IN MIAMI

Maybe Mac was thinking about getting 2 wins in a row and not going for 2.

Who is the best team in the AFC East this year?  The Dolphins are currently sitting in first with an overall record of 5-2 and a 1-1 record in the East.  Their one division loss came against the Bills and was by a score of 48-20.  The Patriots just beat the Bills and barely lost to the Dolphins in week 2.  As bad as they have looked this season, the Patriots could easily be 3-0 in the division and 5-2 overall.  With the Patriots fans and team still on a high from last week's win in Foxboro, here's what needs to happen to really shake up the AFC East.

PROTECT THE BALL-  As always, the number one way to put your football team in position to win the game is to protect the ball.  Currently the Patriots are losing the turnover battle by 7.  The last time the Patriots lost the season long turnover battle was back in 2005 when they were -6 for the year.  In games this season where the team did not lose the turnover battle, they are 2-0.

MOVE THE CHAINS- While the Dolphins' offense is supposedly a little banged up, they are still explosive.  If the Patriots' offense isn't handing the ball over (see first point), they can further help their defense by keeping the chains moving on offense.  The more time the offense is on the field, the more time the defense has to catch their breath and strategize.  Luckily we've had some unseasonably warm weather this week, so the temperature in Miami shouldn't have its usual negative effect.  Game time weather is expected to be 84 with a chance of rain and winds of 14 mph.  

WATCH OUT FOR FORMER PATRIOTS- Jake Bailey is having a decent season punting in Miami. If the Dolphins are punting, that should be a good sign for the Patriots.  Of course every once in a while a good punt can change the flow of a game, that's not something that we want to see happen off of Bailey's foot.  The former Patriot that we need to be watching out for both in the punting game and on offense is Braxton Berrios.  Yes, Berrios is still is the league and playing for another AFC East team.  In all but the 2022 season, Berrios has had at least one reception greater than 10 yards against the team that drafted him.  In this season's first matchup, Berrios caught 2 passes (10 and 18 yards), he also returned 2 punts (9 and 18 yards). 

RUN ZEKE NOT MAC-   Needing a yard and having Mac Jones try to get it isn't running a play that is going to work.  Being ready to have Mac come off the field and giving a direct snap to Zeke in that situation should be a no-brainer.  I don't care whether it's 2nd down or 3rd down, I want Zeke trying to get a yard or two.  If getting Mac off the field is difficult or too time consuming, then have him line up at WR or FB.  

FEED THE TIGHT ENDS- The tight ends have collectively made the offense go.  There's no reason to not get them involved early and often.  When we threw to them in the September matchup they caught all 3 passes.  In the past two weeks they've caught 16 of 19 passes (9 of 11 in Bills game & 7 of 8 against the Raiders).  

WRAP UP TUA- The Bills benefited from some weak roughing the passer penalties last week.  Do I think Tua is going to release the ball late and stand there waiting to get hit in order to get a flag, no.  Could the Patriots go from forcing a punt to having to stay on the field due to a questionable call, absolutely.  As of now the Dolphins have not benefitted from a roughing the passer call.  Having not watched all of the Dolphins' games, I really don't know if there are calls that should have been made, or if Tua is playing it extra safe.  Regardless, if the Patriots do get to Tua in the backfield, they need to go low and wrap him up.