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Bill Belichick talked Cam Newton, stadium atmosphere, and J.C. Jackson in the postgame press conference

Asked to describe the atmosphere inside an empty Gillette Stadium in the 2020 Patriots season opener, Bill Belichick needed only one word.

“Practice,” said the Patriots’ coach following his team’s 21-11 win over the Dolphins on Sunday.

Pressed for more, he compared it to joint practices, normally a Patriots training camp staple, which — like so many other things in 2020 — were put on hold this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s like scrimmaging the Titans, or scrimmaging Detroit, or scrimmaging the teams that we scrimmage,” said Belichick. “I mean there were a few fans there, but basically there are no fans there and it’s just competition.