For the first time in over two decades, the Patriots and coach Bill Belichick will begin a season without a win through two weeks following a tough loss to the Dolphins in primetime.
Miami’s 24–17 victory over New England dropped the club to 0–2 on the year, a record not seen under Belichick since his second season in Foxborough in 2001.
On a night where the Patriots crawled back from a 17–3 halftime deficit, the final dagger in their comeback bid came on a wild fourth-and-4 with a minute left in regulation. While a valiant effort, a last-gasp pitch from tight end Mike Gesicki to offensive lineman Cole Strange (yes, you read that correctly) fell short of extending the game as the big man was ultimately ruled short of a first down after an impressively improvised hook-and-ladder.
In addition to sealing the Patriots’ fate, the hectic finish led to another disappointing stat on the night for New England, as Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa became the first QB to win his first five games against Belichick.
WHAT A PLAY 😱
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 18, 2023
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/bJGb51uxtO
With Sunday night’s affair now behind them, Belichick’s Patriots, much like they have for 24 seasons, will now go back to the drawing board in search for answers to add to an ever-growing list of crafty solutions.
Of course, given the team’s reputation for making adjustments, New England will look to get back on track in Week 3 versus the Jets in order to avoid what would be their first 0–3 start since 2000. For now, Patriots fans can at least take solace in the fact that the ‘01 season ended with Brady’s first Super Bowl championship.
