Kickoff: It is probably too early to call this a must game for both teams but today’s game is as close as it gets. Both teams need a win after losing week one. It will not be easy for the Patriots as Miami is a tough place to play early in the season and the Patriots have struggled down there throughout their history. Regardless, a sixty minute effort will be required today if they want to get the win.
Here are four keys to the game.
1st Down: Maye needs to be consistent: Drake Maye needs to be more consistent today. He cannot miss open throws and he needs to take care of the ball. He has to stay in rhythm and make plays.
2nd Down: Get the running game going: Miami gave up 156 yards rushing to the Colts last week. They will struggle to stop the run. The Patriots need to get the ground game going early. Josh McDaniels needs to be patient and not abandon the run like he did last week.
3rd Down: Spread and shred them: The Patriots should spread Miami out by running 10 and 11 personnel and throwing the ball on run downs. Miami’s secondary is a mess and this is the one match up the Patriots could potentially take advantage of in the passing game. The Patriots need to be aggressive and push the ball down field.
4th Down: Get to Tua: The Patriots must find a way to pressure Tua and throw him off his spot. He is 7-0 all time against the Patriots and they have not gotten to him on a consistent basis from a pressure standpoint. They must make him vacate the pocket and throw on the run.
Extra Point: New England has the advantage against Miami in home games, leading the series 38-21 – including 17-6 at Gillette Stadium – but are 17-43 in road games against the Dolphins. The Dolphins and Patriots met for the first time in 1966 and began playing twice a year during the 1967 regular season, except in 1982 during a players’ strike.
The two teams have played three times in the postseason with New England holding a 2-1 advantage. (Courtesy of patriots.com)
Final Drive: The Patriots need to find a way to win today. While it is not a must win by definition, it is in theory. The Patriots can ill-afford to fall to 0-2. They need to win today otherwise they will be playing catch up the rest of the season.