Andres Borregales endured a rocky start as a rookie for the Patriots, missing two extra points against the Dolphins before rediscovering his form with a 22-yard field goal and a 53-yard kick that helped seal a 33-27 win. Coach Mike Vrabel openly backed him, saying he has confidence and didn’t waver as the rookie settled in after the early hiccups. A prior 40-yard miss in the season opener against Las Vegas remains a hurdle, but the staff’s faith signals Borregales will be a focal point as New England navigates the season.

The win over Miami showcased Borregales’ ceiling in clutch moments, while Vrabel’s endorsement underscored the Patriots’ willingness to let him grow into the role. For fantasy managers, Borregales’ long-range ability adds ceiling, but owners should monitor consistency and how the coaching staff judges his progress in high-leverage moments as the season unfolds.

Miami’s rough start to 2025 deepens with a 33-27 loss to New England at home. Tua Tagovailoa threw for 315 yards with two TDs but a late fourth-down miscue kept the comeback from materializing as the Dolphins fall to 0-2 before a Thursday trip to Buffalo. Tyreek Hill hit 109 receiving yards; De’Von Achane added 92 receiving yards and a rushing TD, while Borregales’ missed extra points and a punt-return TD swing the momentum to New England.

Special-teams miscues, a late interception on fourth down, and a costly 90-yard kickoff return by Antonio Gibson helped the Patriots pull away briefly. Miami’s offense showed flashes in the middle of the game, including a deep Hill ball and Waddle’s 18-yard TD, but the defense couldn’t finish. The short week will test the Dolphins’ resolve as they head to Buffalo.

John Parker Romo signs with the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad, kick-starting a Week 2 kicker competition with Younghoe Koo after a Week 1 miss. Atlanta also auditioned Zane Gonzalez, Michael Badgley and Ben Sauls. Romo, in his second NFL season, brings a 11-for-12 FG clip from four games with Minnesota to the room as New England cut Borregales in 2025. The Falcons aim to stabilize the kicking position and protect a shaky start.

Koo remains the incumbent, but Romo’s track record and preseason reliability offer a credible leash for a deeper, more competitive kicking setup in a pivotal early-season stretch. Borregales’ Patriots arc adds context to why Romo earned this shot in Atlanta, where Week 2 looms against a hostile divisional foe.

Borregales lands Week 1 kicking duties, signaling a likely source for Patriots field goals and longer-range attempts.

Vrabel highlighted Borregales’ overall body of work, choosing him over Romo despite preseason misses, including a 57-yard misfire. The staff backs Borregales for the regular season, placing fantasy focus on his long-distance opportunity and reliability to come.

Fantasy takeaway: expect Borregales to grab early opportunities; track long kicks and red-zone chances, while Romo’s NFL future remains uncertain.

New England’s final preseason game devolved into a glass‑empty showcase as the Patriots were routed 42‑10 by the Giants. With starters rested, the night belonged to the depth chart, and the results underscored how precarious a number of roster spots may be come cut day. Kyle Dugger remained a stabilizing presence on defense, snagging an interception and flashing playmaking tendencies, while Keion White struggled to impact the game from the edge, signaling the uphill climb ahead for continued development.

Andres Borregales’s 49‑yard try misfired, intensifying the kicker competition with veteran Romo looming as the more reliable option. Jeremiah Webb delivered a spark with a 22‑yard punt return and a 10‑yard TD grab, keeping him in the practice‑squad conversation, but Javon Baker and Miles Battle faced rough nights, and rookie Jordan Polk drew penalties that blemished his evaluation. Veteran Jack Gibbens chipped in a sack, providing a sliver of upside from the linebacker room, while Ben Wooldridge showed the growing pains of a rookie QB, including a late third‑quarter turnover that capped a wobbly performance.

Fantasy relevance centers on the Patriots’ depth chart: Webb’s return skills and the Dugger‑led defensive backfield present points of interest for dynasty‑level nerves; the Borregales vs Romo kicker duel remains an ongoing subplot for early season fantasy rosters. The Giants’ execution in the blowout victory also offered a reminder that even in preseason, a favorable defensive matchup and solid special‑teams play can tilt the edge in late‑season streaming scenarios. The result reinforces the looming roster decisions heading into next week’s cuts, with several players seemingly on the bubble.