Danny Shelton congratulates Adam Butler after sacking Ryan Fitzpatrick of the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter of the game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Eric Espada/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Patriots really took it to the Dolphins in their 43-0 victory, and it may be even uglier against the Jets in Foxborough on Sunday. WBZ NewsRadio's Adam Kaufman checked in with Boston Globe NFL reporter Ben Volin to preview that game and talk all things Pats for the Week 3 Red Zone Report.
New England's defense has been on fire—two interceptions returned for touchdowns, five picks in all, eight sacks, three total points permitted. Kaufman asked Volin what the stronger unit is right now for the Patriots: offense or defense?
"It's definitely the defense," Volin said. "We look at the final score from the Dolphins ... how much of that was the defense? The defense scored two touchdowns and then obviously kept getting the ball back for the Patriots offense. The Patriots offense played okay, but they did kind of slow down a bit in the second half ... The Patriots offense is still a work in progress. I think it's obviously very talented with the weapons they have, but Tom Brady and Josh McDaniels are still trying to figure out how to mix in four receivers and two running backs."
The Patriots shut out the Dolphins on Sunday, and Tom Brady stayed in the entire time. Why does Head Coach Bill Belichick leave Brady in these blowout games, and will he do it again this weekend?
"I do think Belichick will take more precaution with Brady this week, and if the score is out of hand, I do think you'll see Jarrett Stidham in there," Volin said. "The thing in Miami, why Brady was still in there at the end of the game? Belichick denied this, but listening to Tom Brady's comments, I'm pretty sure, I think Belichick was just sending a message to his team about playing in Miami, this is going to be a 60-minute game no matter what. You remember last year, the Patriots obviously lost in Miami on that final play. I think Belichick was just stressing, four quarters, 60 minutes, we're gonna finish it out, we're gonna play strong 'til the end."
Kaufman and Volin also discuss Antonio Brown's debut and whether or not he'll play this week, Isaiah Wynn's injury, and the match-up with the Jets—where the Patriots are favored by an absurd 22-and-a-half points.
Listen to this week's Red Zone Report with Adam Kaufman (@adammkaufman) and Ben Volin (@BenVolin):
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