Notebook: Hightower looks for bigger impact in Week 2

Mike Dussault

The Patriots defense allowed just 17 points on Sunday against the Dolphins, a total very much in line with the kind of performances we've come to expect in New England. But in the finer points, the defense wasn't up to their usual standards.

Both opening drives of each half led to touchdowns for Miami, with New England mounting too little resistance on the 10- and nine-play scoring drives. Th