The Patriots Aren't A Dumpster Fire.

Week one for the Patriots is in the books and people are freaking out. It's the media's job to criticize the team but it's when it's due. And it's not in the manner the media is delivering it.

Did the Patriots set any league records? No. Did they throw Hail Mary's on every pass attempt? No. Was every pass a gimmick play? Again, no. And before anyone asks, the running backs were not looking like Bo Jackson on tecmo superbowl. 

The defense was decent. Not great, not a sack or turnover machine but decent. The defense gave us what we expected and did enough to win. 

The team had the ball for 27 minutes 30 seconds. Miami had the ball for 32 minutes 30 seconds. The Patriots ran 54 offensive plays, five less than the Dolphins. 

There were areas the Patriots defense could improve on but we're not gonna look at those, as the media is focused on the offense. The Dolphins scored after causing two turnovers, with one of those scores being a fumble returned for a touchdown.

The three turnovers are what changed the complexion of the game.  The Patriots are tied  for twelveth in the league on third down percentage converting 44 percent. 

The Patriots averaged 3.5 yards per carry on 22 carries for 78 yards, which was only good enough to be ranked 22nd in the league but team played from behind all game. 

The Patriots threw the ball 30 times completing over 66 percent of them. They averaged six yards a completion. Now maybe my math is wrong but 3.5 plus 3.5 plus 6 is enough for a first down.

The Patriots line play needs to improve. Mac was sacked twice and hit thrice. And that's probably not including the high low penalty. 

The play calling looked like it has since the 2019 season started. I couldn't tell that McDaniels was gone. Seperation and yards after catch still seem to be an issue. And the entire team seemed to be lacking on both execution and hustle. 

The team was not out matched talent wise. However, it could do a better job at developing players during the pass catchers during the week. I've said it before and I'll say it again, all a contested pass means is the quarterback is throwing to covered pass catchers. It's bad football when quarterbacks have to make those throws. 

Was there anything about this game that said Bill Belichick needs to be fired as head coach or general manager? No. Offensively, Robert Kraft could yell at the coaching staff for lack of seperation and yards after catch but other than that, there's no reason for him to be upset unless it has to do with Kendrick Bourne. 

If Bourne is being punished like Jonas Gray for missing practice, Kraft should make that a one game punishment. If there's more behind the scenes, maybe it's time to trade Bourne. The team doesn't talk, so we won't know and will just have to wait and see how things play out.