For a few plays there, it looked like things might actually go better than everyone thought for the Patriots in Week 1 against the Dolphins.
That good will dissipated quickly, and New England swiftly devolved into what everyone feared they'd be.
Mac Jones passed for just 213 yards and threw an interception, the defense couldn't take advantage of opportunities gifted to them by the Dolphins, and New England dropped their season opener in anemic fashion 20-7 to Miami at Hard Rock Stadium.
Whether it was the heat or simply the fact that the Dolphins were better, the Patriots suffered from inconsistency and a lack of focus against Miami, turning the ball over twice in key situations and letting two would-be interceptions of Tua Tagovailoa slip through their fingers.
For too much of this summer, the Patriots have looked like a team that doesn't know who they are or what they do well. That unfortunately didn't change in Week 1.
-Poor execution kills positive momentum for Patriots offense
Be honest: the offense probably played better than you expected against the Dolphins at first.
The running game got things going both on runs up the middle and on the outside zone runs that gave them trouble all summer. Mac Jones also started strong on their first drive and was clearly orchestrating the offense at the line of scrimmage more than he did in preseason.
Then came the jump-ball, tip-drill interception in the end zone as Jones threw one up for DeVante Parker to try and steal a touchdown. Jones challenged Xavien Howard, and Howard knocked it into the air for Jevon Holland.
Later, a free blitzer came unblocked -- either because Jones or left tackle Trent Brown didn't see him pre-snap -- and strip-sacked Jones for a touchdown.
New England eventually got on the board with a Jones-to-Ty-Montgomery touchdown pass in the third quarter, but it was too little, too late by that point with the Patriots down 17-0 at that point.
The Patriots also put themselves in too many challenging third-down situations by playing conservatively on early downs. Their love of establishing the run might have cost them a drive or two.
Then again, with the offensive line struggling to pick up Miami's pressure packages, there's no guarantee throwing the ball would've been much better.
Then, Nelson Agholor, who didn't do much of anything last year, put the ball on the turf to kill any chance of a late comeback in the fourth quarter.
It wasn't always bad for the offense, but it definitely wasn't good. And the lowest points cost them the game.
-Kyle Dugger looks like the real deal
Obviously, the third-year safety would like that tackle attempt on Jaylen Waddle's 42-yard touchdown back. Other than that, though, Dugger was outstanding against Miami.
Bringing down Tyreek Hill in the open field is no joke, and Dugger did it twice on Sunday -- once thudding Hill down for a resounding loss. He added another tackle-for-loss on a stuff of Chase Edmonds.
Especially with Adrian Phillips nursing an injury that knocked him from the game in the first half, the Patriots are going to need Dugger's athleticism and explosive play more than ever.
-Kendrick Bourne in the doghouse…for now
Nothing against Lil'Jordan Humphrey, who was elevated to the practice squad before Sunday's game, but him playing before Bourne, whom many expected to be the team's best receiver heading into the year, spoke volumes about his position with the Patriots right now.
Bourne didn't touch the field until the fourth quarter was already half over. On the next play, he caught a beautiful deep ball from Jones for 41 yards -- the offense's longest gain of the day.
Just like that, Bourne reminded everyone what he brings to the table that not enough guys on this New England offense do: big-play ability. Then again, it's hard to make plays when you're not on the field.
Everything was a grind in the passing game. There were too few open receivers. And Jones simply didn't look crisp trying to fit the ball into those tight windows when asked to do so.
Whatever's going on with Bourne, the Patriots might have no choice but to get him back on the field if they want to field a functional offense. Agholor's fumble might even have open the door for the second-year Pats receiver to take some snaps back.
He needs it, and New England needs him.