SPREADING THE WEALTH

Bill Belichick's defenses are famous for identifying the opponent's strength and taking it away, or at least limiting it.

When the Pats play the Texans, they make sure DeAndre Hopkins doesn't beat them.

When they face the Chiefs in Week 6, expect a consistent two-deep safety look to erase big-play opportunities to Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins. They'll gladly live with Patrick Mahomes dinking and dunking or Kareem Hunt running.

The defensive approach against the Dolphins isn't so obvious. Miami doesn't feature a true No. 1 receiver. Five Dolphins players have been targeted more than 10 times, with none topping 14. This is a game-plan offense that adapts from week to week.

“It's whoever's open,” Belichick said. “They do a good job of putting pressure on you and getting to the open guy. They're all dangerous — backs, tight ends, receivers. Coach [Adam] Gase does a good job with the scheme. The quarterback does a good job reading it. You've got to defend all of them. You can't just stop one guy.”

The Dolphins incorporate plenty of presnap motion with speedy receivers Jakeem Grant and Albert Wilson.

Grant took a quick pitch — technically ruled a forward pass — to the house last week against the Raiders. Later, Wilson hit Grant for a 52-yard touchdown on a reverse pass.

The Patriots must be ready to defend unconventional plays.