By: Declan Flavin | Follow me on Twitter / X @FlavinDeclan
The New England Patriots’ loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1 could be an early warning sign of what’s ahead this season. The team was inconsistent and reckless throughout the game, struggling on offense while giving up too much on defense.
Even the special teams struggled, with punts missing their marks and kicks sailing wide right. After a performance like that, it will be up to the new coaching staff and players to show the proper reaction to stumbling. A positive reaction would bring increased energy, sharper defensive awareness, and deeper usage of offensive talent.
1) Bringing a synonymous energy
Each unit struggled to spark the team last week, and later it turned into a game of whack-a-mole with whichever unit showed up. Specifically when one unit transitioned to the other, the players showed no energy. You could tell this affected the Patriots’ ability to string plays together over ten-play stretches. With the team still catching up in talent and depth, they need to play with an intensity before and after the whistles to compete. Expect the Patriots to have more pre-snap chatter and more pats on the back after a successful rep.
2) Limiting Miami Dolphins chunk passes
Speaking of engagement, the defensive secondary has to step up after allowing so many big plays. There were simply too many instances where Patriots defenders let the Jakobi Myers–led receiver group get behind them. Despite the drama surrounding wide receiver Tyreek Hill and the rest of the Dolphins’ offense, there will be opportunities to exploit this initial weakness of the Patriots. With inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr calling plays in the interim while defensive coordinator Terrell Williams’ health is in question, everyone needs to step up and limit the offensive damage. Expect the Patriots to allow underneath routes while keeping Miami’s route runners in front of them.
3) Getting TreyVeyon Henderson in space
Henderson would likely welcome that strategy from the Dolphins, as he struggled to make plays on the runs and short passes he was given. Although Las Vegas did a great job of bringing down Henderson with strong tackling fundamentals, there is more that offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and the offensive line can do. Whether it is an additional run gap here or there or a designed sideways pass to give Henderson initial space, the threat that this kind of explosion can create for the offense is enormous. With running back Rhamondre Stevenson missing a defensive rusher last week and showing little difference from last season, these are the weeks when Henderson can establish himself as the starting tailback. Expect the Patriots to lean on him after a game that generated little fear in the opposing defense.
Miami won’t exactly be fearing this team either, at least from the jump. The Patriots also have added challenges like an interim defensive play caller and facing a quarterback like Tua Tagovailoa, who is 7-0 against the Patriots.
But again, have the coaching staff and players truly invested all their energy into turning things around this season? Fans will find out in early bounce-back games like this, and that uncertainty should be part of the nervous excitement for Sunday. The team always knew it would not be easy.
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