The Dolphins dealt with New England pretty simply in Sunday’s season opener at Laborious Rock Stadium, additional elevating expectations for the season. Coach Mike McDaniel, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and large receiver Tyreek Hill, those who brought on essentially the most curiosity coming in, had been all good.
The Dolphins confirmed resilience and high quality depth at occasions, the latter within the secondary and offensive line, and managed the sport all the day. It was a robust exhibiting and maybe an indication of issues to come back.
Listed below are some extra takeaways from the season opener towards the Patriots:
Dolphins rookie coach Mike McDaniel had an excellent debut
His gamers had been ready, and infrequently appeared stunned by something thrown their manner from New England coach Invoice Belichick, identified for his gameday trickery. McDaniel, who was calling performs for the primary time, confirmed range and creativity. The second wasn’t too huge for McDaniel and that bodes nicely for the season. — Chris Perkins
Dolphins have now received 4 consecutive video games over New England, and 5 of the previous six
In different phrases, the Dolphins have owned the Patriots not too long ago. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is now 4-0 towards Belichick. There was no proof that Belichick helped his crew by working towards at Palm Seaside Atlantic College since Wednesday, or that he harm his crew by having Matt Patricia and Joe Decide splitting offensive coordinator duties.
Patriots went at nickel/slot defensive again Nik Needham on the sport’s first play and bought a 9-yard acquire
Nevertheless it was the final time it occurred that manner. Miami’s defensive again depth answered the decision, which is spectacular contemplating it was with out beginning cornerback Byron Jones (leg), backup cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (inactive) and security Eric Rowe (inactive). Rookie cornerback Kader Kohou made his debut and had a deal with and a giant fumble-causing hit. General it was a pleasant exhibiting for the secondary. New England quarterback Mac Jones ended with a innocent 21 for 30 for 213 yards, one landing and one interception.
Miami’s playmaking protection answered the decision
New England discovered a tough lesson by throwing at All Professional cornerback Xavien Howard ultimately zone within the first quarter. Howard tipped the go within the air and security Jevon Holland caught it and returned it 31 yards to the Dolphins’ 28-yard line. Within the fourth quarter Kohou had a success that brought on a fumble and linebacker Jaelan Phillips recovered. Miami completed with one interception, two recovered fumbles, two sacks, six passes defended, 4 tackles for loss, and three quarterback hits.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, 23 for 33, 270 yards, one landing, no interceptions (104.4 passer ranking) was principally good all day when it got here to decision-making, accuracy and endurance
It was principally a brief and intermediate passing sport, which is okay. The secret's Tagovailoa bought the ball to large receivers Hill and Jaylen Waddle in locations the place they might get YAC (yards after catch). Tagovailoa didn’t throw deep usually however he went deep to fullback Alec Ingold within the first quarter. The ball was barely overthrown however Hill gave the impression to be double coated. It was a good selection by Tagovailoa to acknowledge the protection matchup and go for it.
Security Jevon Holland was deep to return the 2 first half punts for the Dolphins
The primary was a good catch on the 6-yard line and the second was downed on the 8-yard line by New England particular groups ace Matthew Slater. Through the observe week McDaniel stated he wouldn’t hesitate to make use of large receivers Hill and/or Waddle as punt returner. Working again Raheem Mostert was deep for the Dolphins’ solely kickoff return. By the way in which, credit score punter Thomas Morstead for field-flipping punts, three of which had been contained in the 20-yard line. He averaged 45.8 yards per punt and his longest was 58 yards. The Dolphins’ particular groups had an excellent day.
The offensive line had a promising exhibiting
Proper deal with Austin Jackson went down with an ankle harm early within the second quarter and was changed by Greg Little. Then within the third quarter Little went down. Miami shifted proper guard Robert Hunt to proper deal with and inserted Robert Jones at proper guard. Little returned within the third quarter. However within the fourth quarter left deal with Terron Armstead was sidelined and left guard Liam Eichenberg took his place. The offensive line confirmed good versatility and depth in all conditions. However the offensive line allowed three sacks and the run sport was sluggish so there are areas for rapid enchancment. However total it was an excellent begin.
Dolphins’ protection did nicely at limiting important performs, however two self-inflicted errors led to a Patriots landing within the third quarter
The Dolphins had 12 males on discipline penalty on second-and-4, giving New England a primary down on the Dolphins’ 37-yard line. 4 performs afterward fourth-and-1, Howard was known as for unlawful contact on an incomplete go. New England scored 5 performs later to chop its deficit to 17-7. General, nonetheless, the protection was strong in execution and self-discipline.
Miami’s dashing offense didn’t floor a lot Sunday
The Dolphins completed with 65 yards on 23 carries. Chase Edmonds had 12 carries for 25 yards and Mostert had 5 carries for 16 yards. Coach McDaniel places an emphasis on the run sport so maybe there shall be tweaks earlier than subsequent week’s sport at Baltimore.
Patriots followers are often loud and proud at Laborious Rock Stadium, however that didn’t appear to be the case Sunday
The Dolphins, after all, have offered out their season ticket allotment for the primary time, and that may be an element, However Patriots followers appeared to have a smaller presence than in recent times and so they positively weren’t loud. Good job by the Dolphins, and Dolphins followers.
Tua Tagovailoa went to a really defense-aided 4-0 towards the Patriots
In his 4 video games towards Belichick and the Patriots, Tagovailoa has by no means misplaced, however his offense’s scoring output has been meager, with solely 18.0 factors a sport. In the meantime, the protection in these video games has held New England to a paltry 14.8 factors a sport, and has added two touchdowns of their very own. — Steve Svekis
Mike Gesicki hasn’t produced at almost the identical degree since his 2020 shoulder harm
The Dolphins tight finish/large receiver continues to be making an attempt to get again to the extent of manufacturing he had established late within the 2020 season, when he sustained a ugly-looking shoulder harm in Miami’s 33-27 loss to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs on Dec. 13, 2020. Within the 19 video games he had performed up till the play, which pressured him to overlook the next week’s sport, Gesicki had pulled in 11 touchdowns and averaged a strong 13.10 yards per reception (878 in 67 catches). Nonetheless, within the 20 video games afterward, Miami’s franchise-tag participant has discovered the tip zone solely two occasions and seen his per-catch common plummet to a pedestrian 10.63 yards (882 yards in 83 receptions)
Mac Jones’ pricey turnover points hold constructing at Laborious Rock Stadium
In his previous 17 video games, the Patriots’ Mac Jones has 20 turnovers (consists of first two in opener), however that quantity is far worse even at Laborious Rock Stadium. In his two profession video games in Miami Gardens, Jones has 4 turnovers, two of them for Dolphins touchdowns, and one other occurring with the Patriots in discipline aim vary.
Miami retains doing its half to maintain Belichick’s highway to catching Don Shula as rocky as potential
The loss made Belichick 2-8 the previous decade in Miami Gardens, and retains the six-time Tremendous Bowl champion coach 26 wins from tying Don Shula atop the all-time wins record.
On deck: At Baltimore Ravens, M&T Financial institution Stadium, Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Dolphins head to a franchise home of horrors for Week 2. Miami is 0-4 all-time at Baltimore’s M&T Financial institution Stadium, and the outcomes haven’t been shut, getting progressively worse in every matchup (dropping by seven in 2005, 16 in 2010, 32 in 2016 and 40 in 2017). The one silver lining is that Brian Flores’ protection gained a bunch of confidence final season when it locked down then-MVP candidate Lamar Jackson and the Ravens to 10 factors, whereas tacking on a Howard pick-six, as Miami received by 12 factors for the second straight win in what would develop to a seven-game win streak.
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