New England Patriots

3 worries for New England Patriots fans in Week 2

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Ndamukong Suh slams down New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) last season. Credit: Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports

We are a little over 24 hours away from kickoff between the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins, and there are a few worries for Patriots fans that we must come to terms with before kickoff.

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The first Patriots worry entering Week 2 is one that always comes to the surface when playing the Dolphins…

Patriots Week 2 Worry Number 3: Miami pass rush

The Dolphins always seem to give the Patriots problems, and it starts with their normally-disruptive pass rush. We say “normally” because the Dolphins’ front seven doesn’t appear to be as strong as usual this season, but they are deserving of respect nonetheless.

Heading the list of threats on the Dolphins’ defensive front is Ndamukong Suh, not surprisingly. He is still a ferocious player, and the smart money is on him winning his matchup against any of the Patriots’ interior offensive linemen, including David Andrews, Joe Thuney and Ted Karras.

We also can’t forget about Cameron Wake and Mario Williams, even though Wake is coming off an injury-ruined 2015 season and Williams is far from a spring chicken himself. But the images of the Dolphins battering Tom Brady in Week 17 last year are still too fresh to discount this group.

Speaking of Patriots quarterbacks, the next Patriots Week 2 worry we must acknowledge is the possibility that…

Jimmy Garoppolo (10) New England Patriots – Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Patriots Week 2 Worry Number 2: What if lightning doesn’t strike twice for Jimmy Garoppolo?

We all saw first-hand just how well Jimmy Garoppolo played in his first professional start. Garoppolo was calm and poised, making the throws he needed too and displaying ability to pick up first down yardage with his legs. It was very impressive, as the Arizona Cardinals were heavily favored to beat the Brady-less Patriots at home; it was the first time in recent memory that the Pats were double-digit Vegas underdogs.

The question now is simply, will lightning strike twice? Will Garoppolo be that good for the second game in a row? If Garoppolo turns the ball over multiple times or starts leading an ineffective aerial attack, we will know that lightning did not strike twice and that the Patriots are probably going to lose in Week 2.

Now, let’s zoom out for a second. Garoppolo can’t be expected to replicate his Week 1 performance every Sunday. But what is a tad bit worry for Patriots fans in Week 2 is the question of whether or not he will be able to sustain this excellence, that’s all.

Rob Gronowski (87) New England Patriots – Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Patriots Week 2 Worry Number 1: Injuries

We’re only halfway through the month of September, but injuries are already defining the story of the 2016 Patriots. A major worry entering Week 2 for Patriots fans is two-pronged: (1) Will the stars who sat out Week 1 play, and (2) Will further injuries occur?

As injury news gets released prior to kickoff on Sunday, everyone will be anticipating the word on Rob Gronkowski, naturally. Additionally, the availability of Nate Solder and Jonathan Cooper will be important for the Patriots in the trenches this week. It would be worrying if any of those guys missed a second straight game.

Additionally, we must hope that Dont’a Hightower and Malcolm Butler are able to shake off their respective injuries that have been hobbling them this week.

More than anything, Patriots fans will be worrying about further injuries. Of course, this is a worry that characterizes every NFL game, but this team is a few injuries away at vital positions to being in a bit of a precarious position before the quarter pole of the regular season.

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