Patriots Fall to 0-2 for 1st Time Since 2001 with SNF Loss to Dolphins

Summary:

• The Patriots lost a close game to the Dolphins, dropping them to 0-2 for the first time in 20 years.
• Despite the loss, there were some positives to take away from the Patriots' performance, especially on offense.
• The Dolphins have comported themselves well through their first two games of the season and have demonstrated the ability to win in different ways.
• Bill Belichick continues to be a master at taking away what opposing teams do best, but the Patriots will need to find ways to win in other ways.
• The Patriots will need to regroup and recover quickly if they hope to turn their season around.

The New England Patriots have lost yet again in a close game against the Miami Dolphins, making them 0-2 for the first time since 2001. Despite the loss, there are still some positives to take away from the Patriots' performance, especially on the offensive side.

Patriots Fall to 0-2 for 1st Time Since 2001 with SNF Loss to Dolphins

The New England Patriots suffered a 7-point loss at the hands of the Miami Dolphins on Sunday night football, dropping them to a record of 0-2 for the first time since 2001. In a game of inches, the Patriots were just inches away from being 1-1, but ultimately, it's wins and losses that count in the standings. Let's break down the game and see where things went wrong for the Patriots.

Breakdown of the Final Play

The game ended with a wild play, as the Patriots tried to mount a comeback but fell just short. Joe Musso and Ryan Wilson break down the final play, where Mike Kosicki made a heads-up play and lateralled the ball to Cole Strange to gain a first down. The Patriots lost by just 7 points, but that doesn't change the fact that they're now 0-2 for the season.

Changes from Last Season

This is not the same Patriots team we saw last season, which seemed to be going in circles without a clear direction. Ryan Wilson points out that the defense has always been there, but the biggest change this year is on the offensive side of the ball, where they have Bill O'Brien calling plays. Matt Jones looks like a completely different player, and there seems to be growing trust between him and the team.

Miami Comports Themselves Well

Miami went into Foxborough under the lights and secured a win against tough opposition in their throwback unis. They've comported themselves well through the first two games of the season, including their win against the Chargers in week 1. Tua Tagovailoa is developing nicely, and Miami's balance on offense is impressive.

How Bill Belichick Negated Tyreek Hill's Skills

Bill Belichick is known for taking away what opposing teams do best and forcing them to win in other ways. He did just that with Tyreek Hill during the game against the Chargers, holding him to just five receptions for 40 yards. Belichick would rather have the opposition beat him by other means than have Hill run go routes all day for 250 yards.

Patriots Struggle Early in the Season

After the loss to the Dolphins, the Patriots find themselves with an 0-2 record for the first time since 2001. The streak of 21 seasons without an 0-2 start is broken, and the Patriots find themselves living on one side of the wins and losses ledger.

Overall, it's been a tough start to the season for the Patriots, but there are signs of hope. The team is finding its identity and has a growing trust in their quarterback. As they move forward, they'll need to focus on winning games rather than coming up short by just inches. As the season progresses, we'll see if they can turn things around and make a push for the playoffs.

The Patriots will need to regroup and recover quickly if they hope to turn their season around. Belichick and his coaching staff will need to continue to work on building the team's identity and finding ways to win, no matter the circumstances.