When are the Patriots going to play better, execute better, and coach better?

You can close the book on the 2023 season for the Patriots. And it’s not even November! Whatever “path” to the playoffs that many were squinting their eyes to see has disappeared into the darkness..

At least for one week Pats’ fans had some hope and something positive to talk about. People were feeling good after the Patriots upset Buffalo last week. But it was all a mirage. The Miami Dolphins showed the Patriots’ organization yet again how out of touch they are with modern day football. 

Belichick may be playing chess, but he is playing with all pawns. For those that don’t know chess that well, pawns can only move one space at a time while other pieces can fly across the board. 

The Patriots’ noodle-armed quarterback was throwing lobs to the sideline while Miami’s Tyreek Hill was streaking easily past J.C. Jackson and rookie Marte Mapu for easy touchdowns.

Miami coach Mike McDaniel was toying with the Patriots as if it were a teenager playing Madden football at the local nursing home and taking on all challengers. (I don’t know – are Madden video games still a thing?). “Punt? What’s that? You can’t stop me?”

The Dolphins struggled early getting third down conversions but, in total video game fashion, that didn’t stop them from going for it on 4th downs, going a perfect 3-for-3. McDaniel showed absolutely no hesitation each time. It was just look down at the playsheet and call the next play as if it were nothing. 

I compared the first Patriots-Miami game to Wile E. Coyote trying every trick he knew in order to catch the Roadrunner, but failing miserably every time. There I go showing again showing my age, but that is what it is like watching Belichick trying to catch the Dolphins. Sad, really.

You know who else is showing their age? Bill Belichick. I mean, come on, who still uses a pencil. I can’t remember the last time I used a pencil and I just turned 50 (ok, 51). 

Why, of all games, was Marte Mapu in the game so much AND playing safety? Mapu played more against the Dolphins than he did in the previous two games. He didn’t play a single snap two weeks ago! Let’s put a rookie converted linebacker at free safety against the fastest team in the history of football. How does that make sense? Mapu was playing deep safety on the Tyreek Hill 42-yard touchdown catch and Mapu wasn’t even within ten yards of him when Hill caught the ball. And who knows what cornerback J.C.Jackson was doing on that play stepping towards Hill at the snap while playing ten yards off. By the time Jackson turned around and sped up, Hill was doing laps around the stadium celebrating his touchdown.

I know Belichick is a football god, but why deviate away from what worked well in the first game. I just don’t understand. And, of course, Bill won’t explain it to any of us. “Just gotta play better, execute better, coach better.” Well, Bill, when is that actually going to happen?