Preview: (9/11) NE @ MIA

New England Patriots at The Miami Dolphins (9/11, 1:00pm)

The New England Patriots travel down to Miami for the regular season opener against the Dolphins.

Even the strongest Pats teams over the years found ways to drop one each season to the Fins. Add to the calculus that the Miami Dolphins look decent this year. Tua Tagovailoa has another year of experience and his team has some exciting new pieces, including star WR Tyreek Hill. Hill and second-year man Jaylen Waddle give Tua a pair of dynamic options in the passing game.

What did the preseason show us?

The Patriots still have some tinkering to do with this squad. Good thing HC Bill Belichick has made a career on the strength of his tinkering. Mac Jones needs to be more consistent with his pass attack, and he needs to find that consistency without the help of former OC Josh McDaniels. What do new coaches Joe Judge and Matt Patricia bring to the offense? The preseason made it clear that nothing is clear yet.

Something to prove

Mac Jones needs to solve the Rubik’s Cube that is the Patriots receiving group. Right now it’s a collection of talented guys, but the QB will still be feeling out their strengths and weaknesses. Who can you trust for the tough third down conversion? Who is fearless catching over the middle? Who will win the 50/50 balls on the deep bombs? The WRs need to build trust with their QB in real game situations.

And what about the Dolphins’ running game? There’s been a lot of talk about the passing game, but RBs Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert have the potential to transform the running attack. Edmonds is a pass-catch threat, though he disappeared behind James Conner in Arizona. Can he find his mojo? Mostert is an explosive RB when healthy, flashing the ability of a three-down back. “When healthy” – that’s been the tough part.

For Boston Fans

WATCH: Boston, Mass. WBZ-TV Ch. 4

LISTEN: 98.5 The Sports Hub

#humpFL #foreverNE #finsup

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