Telegraph Sports Reporter Tom KIng.

The cleat is on the other foot.

The New England Patriots would never panic at the sight of the Miami Dolphins coming to town. Privately, they’d look down on them, both literally (in the standings) and figuratively.

But suddenly, it’s the Dolphins taking a more or less businesslike approach to the latest meeting between the two Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

“I think our guys are looking at this as it’s Game 4,” Dolphins coach Adam Gase said this week. “That’s the feeling I get.

“That’s what we’re going through. I mean, it’s the first quarter of the season and it’s the fourth game. It’s a division game. It’s always tough to go on the road in the division against a team that knows you well.”

The Dolphins are 3-0, two games up on the Patriots after the first week of the season. The Patriots appear to be at a crossroads. Suddenly, everything about the Patriots is in doubt: Not enough playmakers on offense, not enough pressure on defense. The schedule, thought to be easy, now looks daunting.

That happens when you lose two straight to fall to 1-2. Will those doubts be soothed or confirmed on Sunday? We always say September is an extension of the preseason. But for the Patriots, who may or may not have Josh Gordon active today (the feeling late in the week was he’d play), it’s time for the regular season approach.

You can say the same for yours truly after a an awful Week 3:

PATRIOTS 30, DOLPHINS 21

Yes, they’ll win. Yes, they’ll cover. The Dolphins still have a thing about playing a game that matters at Gillette, with Gase calling New England’s home success “ridiculous”. Miami revamped its roster in the off-season for the better, the Patriots for the worse. But Ryan Tannehill, as great as he has looked, will get anxious and turn the ball over, Rob Gronkowski will have a big day, and order will be restored.

JAGUARS 24, JETS 17

The biggest surprise a week ago was Jacksonville’s struggle against Tennessee, and that showed it’s not time to see a new Blake Bortles just yet. But it’s not Sam Darnold’s time yet, either, not against that defense on the road.

STEELERS 30, RAVENS 17

The Steeler circus is continuing, and now the concerns are about their defense. If this were in Baltimore, we’d pick the opposite. Just don’t have faith that the Ravens offense can put up enough points in Pittsburgh.

SAINTS 40, GIANTS 21

Puh-leeeeze, the G-Men didn’t really have an offensive awakening last week; they just finally did the right thing and sat the worst lineman in football, Ereck Flowers. Drew Brees is playing like the best QB in football as the NFL’s second ageless wonder. Saints march in and out with a win.

COWBOYS 27, LIONS 24

Sorry, Matt Patricia. Your one week bubble has burst and your team will have somewhat of a post-Patriots hangover. Look, neither team is going to light up the NFC, but the Cowboys should be able to run the ball better certainly than New England did last week and that will help Dak Prescott. Especially at home.

FALCONS 24, BENGALS 21

The clock is ticking on this Atlanta team, and Cincinnati is overachieving with Andy Dalton throwing an average of 39 times a game. But we’ll take the QB matchup with Matt Ryan, even though now Atlanta’s defense is suspect. Home sweet home.

EAGLES 23, TITANS 17

Marcus Mariota is reportedly expected to start on Sunday, but Philly has its guy, Carson Wentz back. With one game under his belt, he should be able to carry the Eagles on the road. The Titans defense is facing an upgrade from Bortles a week ago.

LAST WEEK: 2-5

SEASON: 8-11-2

Tom King can be reached at 594-1251 or tking@nashuatelegraph.com. Also, follow King on Twitter (@Telegraph_TomK).