Dominant Patriots defense refuses to get complacent

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Over the first two weeks of the regular season, the Patriots defense looks dominant.

On Sunday, this unit shutout the woeful Miami Dolphins in dominating fashion. This 43-0 performance comes after the Patriots defense allowed just a field goal in the team’s 33-3 regular-season opener.

Of course, on this team, it’s never how you start. It’s always about how you finish. That’s why the defensive players refused to pat [...]

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Over the first two weeks of the regular season, the Patriots defense looks dominant.

On Sunday, this unit shutout the woeful Miami Dolphins in dominating fashion. This 43-0 performance comes after the Patriots defense allowed just a field goal in the team’s 33-3 regular-season opener.

Of course, on this team, it’s never how you start. It’s always about how you finish. That’s why the defensive players refused to pat themselves on the back after their seven-sack, four-interception performance that included two defensive touchdowns against the Dolphins on Sunday.

“None of that stuff really matters. We’re talking about two games right now,” said safety Duron Harmon. “We can be dominant two games and, if we go out there and not do what we’re supposed to do next week, we can give up 40 points. All it is right now is about consistency. How consistent can we be week-by-week. How can we control our effort at practice so that can carry over to the game and just creating a disciplined group that can go out there and play for 60 minutes. That’s the only thing we’re worried about right now.”

Six players sacked Miami quarterbacks Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh Rosen — Adam Butler (two), Chase Winovich (1.5), Danny Shelton, Michael Bennett, John Simon and Jamie Collins (half-sack). Collins also had two interceptions, including a pick-6. The series before his touchdown, at 8:57 of the fourth quarter, Stephon Gilmore also had a pick-6 at 10:45 of the fourth quarter.

Gilmore added three pass-defenses as the Patriots totaled 11.

“It felt good," said Gilmore. "I always wanted a pick-6. I had one my rookie year, but they called it back, so I finally get on the board. It was a great play. I was happy to get in the end zone."

Winovich made his NFL debut last week, finishing with one tackle. After recording his first sack and getting a half-sack added to his total, the rookie is off to a solid start.

“It feels good, but our goal is to look at what we didn’t do right and how we can build off that to get to the next step,” Winovich said. “We left plays out there and we have to do better. I’m doing a lot of thumb pointing at that across the board. There’s more plays to be made.”

Watch out, NFL.