{"id":371849,"date":"2025-09-16T05:25:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T05:25:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/371849\/"},"modified":"2025-09-16T05:25:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T05:25:10","slug":"patriots-coach-mike-vrabel-believes-win-over-dolphins-can-be-blueprint-for-rest-of-season-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/371849\/","title":{"rendered":"Patriots coach Mike Vrabel believes win over Dolphins can be blueprint for rest of season"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New England Patriots got the bounce-back Week 2 win<\/a> they were hoping for on Sunday.<\/p>\n

It took responding to a 74-yard Miami punt return for a touchdown with a 90-yard kickoff return for a score, followed by a late defensive stand to secure it.<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s exactly the kind of victory that Patriots coach Mike Vrabel wants to see his team emulate going forward: a group that finds a way to win games.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt just takes one play,\u201d Vrabel said of earning his first victory as Patriots coach. \u201cI felt like we were willing to get into a street fight. We had a little lull, and we didn\u2019t pack it up and quit.\u201d<\/p>\n

The win snapped a five-game losing streak for New England in Miami.<\/p>\n

Quarterback Drake Maye said just as significant was winning a game decided by single digits. Last season the Patriots were just 3-6 in one-score games.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s this league,\u201d Maye said. \u201cIt\u2019s close games, and you\u2019ve got to come out in one-score games. You\u2019ve got to come out on top.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The win capped a game where Maye had three touchdowns \u2014 two passing and one rushing \u2014 while completing 19 of his 23 passing attempts.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s working<\/p>\n

The offensive line did a much better job controlling the line of scrimmage. In New England\u2019s Week 1 loss to Las Vegas the Patriots O-line allowed four sacks and 15 pressures, while struggling to open run lanes for an offense that managed only 4.9 yards per play. This week, the Patriots O-line allowed three sacks, but only two pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. For the game New England\u2019s offense gained 6.1 yards per play.<\/p>\n

What needs help<\/p>\n

The Patriots were whistled for 12 penalties, costing 75 yards on Sunday. That\u2019s up for Week 1 when they had eight penalties for 70 yards.<\/p>\n

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Stock up<\/p>\n

Antonio Gibson. The Dolphins took a 27-23 lead midway through the fourth quarter after Malik Washington returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown. But Gibson\u2019s ensuing 90-yard kick return for a TD put New England in front for good.<\/p>\n

Stock down<\/p>\n

Rookie kicker Andy Borregales. He missed each of his first two extra point attempts Sunday. The Patriots got some of the points back with a 2-point conversion in the third quarter. Borregales did go 2 for 2 on field-goal attempts, including a 53-yarder late in the fourth quarter to increase the lead to six points. But his extra point issues came a week after he missed a 40-yard field-goal attempt in New England\u2019s season-opening loss to Las Vegas.<\/p>\n

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Vrabel said there\u2019s been no discussion of making a change.<\/p>\n

Injuries<\/p>\n

Cornerback Christian Gonzalez missed his second straight game with a hamstring injury. Vrabel said there\u2019s a chance he could play this week, adding he\u2019s continuing to improve.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a chance. There\u2019s a chance that a lot of things could happen,\u201d Vrabel said. \u201cWe\u2019ll see what he can do and have him do what he can do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Defensive coordinator Terrell Williams took a leave of absence from the team last week for an undisclosed health issue. Vrabel said Williams \u201cwill be around\u201d this week.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t quite fully know in what capacity, but he will be around and involved,\u201d Vrabel said. \u201cSo we\u2019ll continue to just make sure that there\u2019s a good place for everything that happens.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Key number<\/p>\n

3 of 4 \u2014 The Patriots\u2019 success rate inside the red zone. They were just 1 of 3 in their Week 1 loss.<\/p>\n

Next steps<\/p>\n

New England hosts the Steelers (1-1) and 41-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Pittsburgh is coming off a loss to Seattle.<\/p>\n

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. <\/p>\n

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