Miami has not been very kind to the Patriots throughout their history. The Patriots have an all time record of 17-39 against the Dolphins in Miami.

It has been especially rough in recent years with the Patriots losing in Miami in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2020. It has been an ugly stretch despite the fact that the Patriots have won three Super Bowls during that time span.

Addressing the lack of success in Miami is part of the preparation process this week. Bill Belichick and his staff must find a way to instill confidence in the team that they can win in Miami despite past failures. It is all about going down there and taking care of business now.

It isn’t always easy to avoid a topic like this. The players are well aware of the Patriots futility in Miami, especially in recent years. Belichick must get them to focus on the game and if they get off to a slow start, it cannot be here we go again. The Patriots must overcome what is happening in the game and find a way to win.

I have coached on plenty of staffs where we look at the schedule and look at who we are playing away. If we haven’t traditionally played well against a certain opponent on the road, we talk about it as a staff and how we will handle it when the time comes. It isn’t something you just gloss over. Especially the week you are playing the opponent. You can use it as motivation.

Belichick will most certainly use it as motivation. He wants to leave no doubt that this team can win in Miami or anywhere else. The Patriots will be ready. They know what’s at stake on Sunday. It doesn’t matter where this game is being played. It is a must win.

Sunday is not about erasing past failure in Miami. It is about focusing on one football game and winning it. If the Patriots can look past the team’s lack of success through the years and focus on the now, they should be fine.

It is easier said than done. Miami has been a house of horror and winning there is always tough. If this Patriots team can win there however, they will make a statement. A statement that they can win on the road. Which is important this time of year.