Time for a change!
It is Week 2 of the 2025 season and the New England Patriots head down to Miami, where they have not fared well, historically.
However, given Miami’s nightmarish start to the season, is this the Pats’ best chance to get a win down in the Sunshine State?
Let Drake be Drake
One of my biggest concerns about Drake Maye from Week 1 is his fit in Josh McDaniels’ offense.
McDaniels has historically run a system that requires timing and precision in the short game from the quarterback (QB).
However, Maye just is not there yet with his consistency in that area. He is at his best making plays down the field and with his athleticism.
To allow Drake to be at his best, I believe that McDaniels needs to call more shot plays, plays with moving pockets and to incorporate Maye into the run game more.
This may allow him to settle into the offense more readily until he develops more consistency in his accuracy and precision in the shallow parts of the field.
Tackling Tua!
It is well known in Pats nation that Tua Tagovailoa is undefeated (7-0) against the New England Patriots since arriving in Miami.
However, the last time a Mike Vrabel-led team faced Tua, the Dolphins lost, only putting up 20 points and seeing Tagovailoa sacked five times.
The key to this match-up, for me, is the Patriots’ linebackers taking away the middle of the field from the speedy crossing routes that Tagovailoa so often hits Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on.
Tagovailoa will likely be favouring those shallow crossers throughout this game, given the number of injuries that Miami have along the offensive line.
The Patriots primary coverage linebackers, Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss, gave up a combined nine completions on nine targets for 95 yards in coverage last week, as well as six combined missed tackles.
To stifle the Miami aerial attack, the Patriots have to cover and tackle much better in the short to intermediate areas between the numbers.
