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The Patriots open their season in Miami against the Dolphins on Sunday, their second campaign with Mac Jones at the helm, but first with a revamped offense. Much has been made of that offense and how it has struggled in training camp and the preseason.
New offensive line coach/ offensive coordinator Matt Patricia has faced criticism as has the man who hired him, Bill Belichick. Time will tell how effective the changed offense is, but in the short term the Patriots face a significant test against a Dolphins team that swept them in 2021. Jones is obviously the most important player on the offense, but there is another player who could make the most difference on Sunday: center David Andrews.
The biggest problem the Patriots have had with their revamped offense is the play of their offensive line. On paper a line of Trent Brown-Cole Strange-Andrews-Michael Onwenu-Isaiah Wynn should be good. So, why haven’t they been? The biggest downfall has been communication. In any new offense, terminology and communication can be difficult to pick up. That is doubly so for a unit that depends on five players being on the same page at all times.
This is where Andrews comes in. First of all, the Patriots will need him to play at his usual high level to win on Sunday. In addition to his play, Andrews and Jones will work together to set protections and communicate with the offensive line. Andrews and Jones will have to make sure everything is communicated properly to the offensive line and that everyone is on the same page. If they fail at this, things could get ugly up front against a talented Miami defensive line.
Andrews was named a captain for the 2022 season and his leadership and communication among his offensive teammates, especially the offensive line, will be critical to New England’s success. The Patriots have had two weeks to prepare since their final preseason game.
Sunday will not be the final answer on the fate of their offense, but it will be an important barometer for where they are at and the trajectory of their season. It all starts up front with Andrews and the offensive line.