“The atmosphere is a winning atmosphere”, middle linebacker Kelvin Sheppard said, “and Dan Campbell has created that”. Campbell would only say it doesn’t look good for next week and there’s a chance James could miss multiple weeks.
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What had been a power running game, then a shifty passing game built around getting a dynamic playmaker into open space, was now a spread-out air attack. And who, if anyone, can actually beat the Patriots this season? As the Patriots ride a 10-game unbeaten streak that dates to last January’s divisional-round triumph against Baltimore, the Bills are still figuring out how to win two games in a row.
There was other evidence showing the toll of playing for the second time in five days. The Dolphins scored 82 points in wins over the lowly Titans and Texans in Campbell’s first two games. Their early first half struggles included gifting the Patriots points. They’re viewing Thursday’s loss as a learning experience rather than a step back as they begin to prepare for their next game November 8 at Buffalo.
The amusing thing is that I’m speaking in general trends here, but these different systems of attack can happen not only in entire quarters but play to play.
Wake’s long-term future with the team also is in question, considering the seriousness of the injury and his age (33).
Before going down, Wake registered his seventh sack over the last three games, taking down Brady before halftime. It was a good performance but not the dominant one that was needed.
How the Dolphins shape their defensive front from here on out will be interesting. Yes, they’ve played better and made themselves a factor in the early NFC race, but this is a home game for somebody else too, Odell Beckham Jr.
It will be up to backups Derrick Shelby and Terrence Fede to pick up the slack if Wake is out long-term.
The New England defense pitched a shutout in the first half, but gave up several big plays on Miami’s first possession of the second half to give the Dolphins their only touchdown. On a 3 down and 16 Brady dumped off a pass to Dion Lewis and he was able to dodge, dip, dive, duck, and dodge from Dolphin defenders and picked up the first down. He is in complete command, driving the Patriots offense like a well-oiled Lamborghini.
It was an apt description of the type of play that Lewis has been making on a consistent basis for the Patriots.
Though small, Lewis is as tough as they come carrying the ball. But as the Patriots (7-0) continue to stack victories as impressively as any team in the league, an improving defense could be integral on their path to defending last year’s Super Bowl championship. The first two plays were power strong runs. Jason Jones is one of their more reliable defensive ends and is set to become a free agent in 2016.
“Don’t really know the timetable on that just yet”, Campbell said.
Tom Brady has been a man on a mission so far this season.
What Brady has done this year is shut down any “greatest quarterback of all tim” discussion. No player has ever had the longevity and success that Brady has.
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The fourth quarter was all New England; Brady led the Patriots on two more scoring drives with both ending up with Julian Edelman touchdown catches.
