The Patriots Allow The Dolphins To Sit A Top The East.

The Patriots played their week one matchup and the big question was how would Mac Jones look in a regular season start. He was playing a Brian Flores defense, so it wasn't going to be easy. That question got answered tonight but some other issues would come forth. Many that didn't get fixed during the preseason.

I was concerned with the run game during the preseason. It seemed like the team allowed too many chunk yard runs in the preseason. The three opponents also rushed for three hundred combined yards against the Patriots. Tonight, again the Pats couldn't stop the run when they needed to and they gave up eighty seven yards on the ground.

There used to be a saying for games like tonight. That was the first team to rush for 100 yards would win. While the dolphins didn't get there, they needed up not needing to because of New England mistakes. Other teams are going to exploit this, do not take any opponent lightly.

Penalties were bad in the preseason. The Patriots gave up nine penalties to the Washington and eight in each of the two remaining games. Against Miami the Patriots had eight more. That seems to be their average, Belichick needs to get that under control or they're going to have a top ten pick in 2022.

There were two fumbles tonight and Bill had to turn to White and Bolden. Both have their place in the offense. White should open things up due to his pass catching abilities but Stevenson and Harris are better backs than Bolden and even though they fumbled, they should've played instead of Bolden. The fumbles are what killed the Patriots. And we know Belichick likes to punish players for fumbles.

Mac Jones looked every bit like a starting quarterback. There were a couple of passes that his ball placement could've been better. Like with the needed Meyers conversion. Yes, Meyers should've caught the ball but Mac should've placed it better. His decision making seemed on point but I am waiting to hear analysts talk about his decision making after watching the all twenty two film.

I expected Hunter Henry to get used like the receiving tight end he is. While there wasn't as much two tight end sets the way people had hoped, I was okay with most of the play calling. Maybe at the end they could've been more aggressive but they didn't need to be. If not for the Damien Harris fumble, the Patriots would've taken at least a two point lead.

The Patriots were a play away from victory. However, we had enough positive losses last season. The team has small mistakes it needs to correct. The Patriots also have to work on the run defense. Maybe things will get better when Gilmore is back and the team can use the personnel the way Belichick intended but until then, There may be more games like tonight.

One more thing. Outside my friends on twitter, there is talk that Newton would've one tonight. No he would'nt. He's no where near as accurate a passer as Mac and he's more aggressive at throwing into coverage. On top of that, yeah his rushing would've helped but which of the two fumbles would've been his? Cam is gone because Mac Jones can operate the playbook that the Patriots want to run better than Cam. 

I'm sorry you're bored of the offense that the Patriots ran for two Dynastys but as long as it works when M.E.s aren't happening, why change it? That's what tonight's mistakes were, M.E.s. I wish Newton the best and hope he signs on to one of the college offenses in the league but no way his arm is good enough to say he would've won tonight.