The Dolphins dealt with New England pretty simply in Sunday’s season opener at Hard Rock Stadium, additional elevating expectations for the season. Coach Mike McDaniel, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and extensive receiver Tyreek Hill, those who induced 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 your entire day. It was a powerful exhibiting and maybe an indication of issues to return.
Here are some extra takeaways from the season opener towards the Patriots:
Dolphins rookie coach Mike McDaniel had a superb debut
His gamers had been ready, and infrequently appeared shocked by something thrown their approach from New England coach Bill Belichick, identified for his gameday trickery. McDaniel, who was calling performs for the primary time, confirmed variety and creativity. The second wasn’t too massive for McDaniel and that bodes properly 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 just lately. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is now 4-0 towards Belichick. There was no proof that Belichick helped his staff by training at Palm Beach Atlantic University since Wednesday, or that he damage his staff by having Matt Patricia and Joe Judge 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
But it was the final time it occurred that approach. 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 sort out and a giant fumble-causing hit. Overall 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 realized a tough lesson by throwing at All Pro cornerback Xavien Howard ultimately zone within the first quarter. Howard tipped the cross within the air and security Jevon Holland caught it and returned it 31 yards to the Dolphins’ 28-yard line. In the fourth quarter Kohou had a success that induced 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 score) 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 ok. The key’s Tagovailoa bought the ball to extensive 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 seemed to be double lined. It was a sensible choice by Tagovailoa to acknowledge the protection matchup and go for it.
Safety Jevon Holland was deep to return the 2 first half punts for the Dolphins
The first 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. During the apply week McDaniel stated he wouldn’t hesitate to make use of extensive receivers Hill and/or Waddle as punt returner. Running 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 a superb day.
The offensive line had a promising exhibiting
Right sort out 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 sort out and inserted Robert Jones at proper guard. Little returned within the third quarter. But within the fourth quarter left sort out Terron Armstead was sidelined and left guard Liam Eichenberg took his place. The offensive line confirmed good versatility and depth in all conditions. But the offensive line allowed three sacks and the run sport was sluggish so there are areas for speedy enchancment. But general it was a superb begin.
Dolphins’ protection did properly at limiting vital performs, however two self-inflicted errors led to a Patriots landing within the third quarter
The Dolphins had 12 males on area penalty on second-and-4, giving New England a primary down on the Dolphins’ 37-yard line. Four performs afterward fourth-and-1, Howard was referred to as for unlawful contact on an incomplete cross. New England scored 5 performs later to chop its deficit to 17-7. Overall, nevertheless, 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 Hard Rock Stadium, however that didn’t appear to be the case Sunday
The Dolphins, after all, have bought out their season ticket allotment for the primary time, and that may be an element, But Patriots followers appeared to have a smaller presence than lately they usually 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 Bill 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. Meanwhile, 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 practically the identical stage since his 2020 shoulder harm
The Dolphins tight finish/extensive receiver continues to be attempting 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 City Chiefs on Dec. 13, 2020. In the 19 video games he had performed up till the play, which compelled 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). However, 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’ expensive turnover points hold constructing at Hard Rock Stadium
In his previous 17 video games, the Patriots’ Mac Jones has 20 turnovers (contains first two in opener), however that quantity is way worse even at Hard Rock Stadium. In his two profession video games in Miami Gardens, Jones has 4 turnovers, two of them for Dolphins touchdowns, and one other taking place with the Patriots in area aim vary.
Miami retains doing its half to maintain Bill Belichick’s street 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 Super Bowl champion coach 26 wins from tying Don Shula atop the all-time wins checklist.
On deck: At Baltimore Ravens, M&T Bank Stadium, Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Dolphins head to a franchise home of horrors for week two. Miami is 0-4 all-time at Baltimore’s M&T Bank 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 Xavien Howard pick-six, as Miami received by 12 factors for the second straight win in what would develop to a seven-game win streak.x
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Source: www.bostonherald.com