Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ 43-0 win over the Dolphins in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:
HEADLINES
The defense is taking names: With the shutout, this is now the first time a Patriots defense coached by Bill Belichick has not allowed a touchdown in three consecutive games. The last Patriots defense to come close to this was the 1982 squad that pitched a shutout for 10 consecutive quarters. The Patriots are up to 12 right now. The Dolphins only got into New England territory once in the first three quarters and the Patriots had seven sacks (two by Adam Butler) and two pick-sixes (Stephon Gilmore, Jamie Collins). The Dolphins were 3 of 17 on third and fourth downs. Dolphins quarterbacks completed less than 50 percent of their passes and posted a 23.3 quarterback rating.
Antonio Brown involved early, uneven overall: Brown caught all three of Tom Brady's passes on the opening drive for 36 yards, and then later added a nice back-shoulder touchdown. But he was 0 for 4 on targets in the second half, including three in the red zone. Still, it was a good start for him and he seemed very pleased on the sidelines.
Offensive line hit hard with injuries: The Patriots began the game with Marshall Newhouse starting at right tackle in place of Marcus Cannon (shoulder), but that plan was scrapped in the second quarter when left tackle Isaiah Wynn went down with a foot injury and did not return. Newhouse moved to left tackle and Korey Cunningham played right tackle. The line performance wasn't great and the Patriots appeared to dial back on a lot of passes to protect Brady, who was sacked twice.
TURNING POINT
Patriots were only leading 7-0 midway through the second quarter when they were faced with the prospect of punting back to the Dolphins as they faced 3rd and 17. But Phillip Dorsett made a terrific diving catch and got 18. The Patriots went down and scored, and this one was over.
SECOND GUESS
It was 43-0 and they had to do this so this is obviously nitpicking, but the Antonio Brown integration sure seemed more forced than it needed to be and caused everyone else, especially Josh Gordon, to walk on eggshells. Couldn't they have just tossed him in for a play here and there, instead of playing him most of the first two drives?
And did Brady need to play the entire game?
THREE UP
Adam Butler: Think the film will show Butler cleaned up more plays than he created, especially on his two sacks, but he was still very productive.
Stephon Gilmore: Tipped a ball that caused the Devin McCourty interception, and then made a great break to get his own pick-six.
Jamie Collins: Tied for the team lead with five tackles, including a half-sack and picked off two passes.
THREE DOWN
Stephen Gostkowski: Missed a field goal and then two extra points. OK, this is getting critical.
Josh Gordon: Looked completely thrown off by the appearance of Antonio Brown and only caught two of his five targets for 14 yards.
Shaq Mason: I'm sure he played fine overall but he gave up a sack when he looked like he was on roller skates. After his subpar performance in Week 1, this isn't good.
INJURIES
TE Matt LaCosse (ankle): Seemed to reinjure himself early but played the rest of the game.
OT Isaiah Wynn (foot): Did not return for the game. Went from questionable to out.
FB James Develin: Left the game but returned.
S Patrick Chung: Left the game but returned.
TOP PLAYS
TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER
Forget guessing when the Patriots will lose ... when will they give up a TD?: So that's three straight games with no touchdowns allowed. They have the Sam Darnold-less Jets next week. The Redskins at least have some talent. And then the Giants and Jets before the Browns. This streak might go on for a while.
Brian Flores made a terrible decision: If Flores stayed in New England, he could have been a Super Bowl-winning coordinator who would now be directing one of the best defenses in the league. Win another title and Flores could handpick any job he wanted (better yet, if Bill Belichick retired, he would have been up for the Patriots' job). Instead, he left after last season and took the first job offered — and this might be one of the worst teams in NFL history, and it's going to take time for it to get better. Will he be around to see the finish of this project? Probably not.