With week one in the books there is a lot to unpack before the Patriots take on the Miami Dolphins in a Prime-Time matchup on Sunday night football (September 17th at 8:20). Below you can find everything you need to know before tuning in this Sunday as well as my review from game number 1!
My Review of Week 1
The beginning of this game was ugly. There is no denying that. A first quarter disaster, the Philadelphia Eagles jumped out to a swift 16-0 lead following a Mac Jones pick-six and a subsequent Ezekiel Elliott fumble–a problem persisting from his days in Dallas–on the very next drive. Similar to last season, the offense played abysmally once again through the first 15 minutes of this game, with the defense needing to carry the team’s success. However, through the rest of this game, I was given hope. Facing a Super Bowl favorite in the first game of the season is never an easy task, especially when that team has one of the most electrifying offenses in the league; it’s not easy to defend a dual-threat QB and two superstar WR’s. Despite this challenge and the woes of the first quarter, the Patriots rallied and dare I say it, outplayed the Eagles through the rest of the game. Did they win? Unfortunately not, but a 25-20 loss with multiple chances to take the lead in the waning minutes can be called a moral victory (if you believe in those). Mac Jones looked poised in the pocket and threw for over 300 years and three touchdowns (two to Kendrick Bourne and one to Hunter Henry). The defense played stoutly. They did not let up a touchdown outside of one in the first quarter (curtesy of Ezekiel Elliott’s fumble). Kayshon Boutte’s inability to get both feet in bounds on a 4th down passing attempt in the final seconds of the 4th quarter on a potentially go-ahead drive was ultimately to difference maker. I cringed a little at the rushing attack by the Patriots, but that is to be expected with multiple starters out on the O-line. Although the Patriots have started 0-1, I am excited to see how the offense continues to grow and hope to see the defense continue to shut down opponents.
Injury Report Heading into Sunday Night
Just like any other team, the Patriots are no strangers to injuries. The injury report includes the following players: OT Trent Brown (Concussion), OL Sidy Sow (Concussion), CB Jonathan Jones (Ankle), G Cole Strange (Knee), OL Mike Onwenu (Ankle), and WR DeVante Parker (Knee). Sow and Brown both were placed on concussion protocol following last weeks game while Jones appeared on the report during Thursday’s practice. Parker, Strange and Onwenu were all inactive for week one.
As it turns out, almost all of these players are key to the Patriots’ success. Four of the six players who are questionable for Sunday’s game are offensive linemen. Mac Jones needs to be protected. Missing four starters against a tough divisional matchup is far less than ideal, but the good news is that Strange and Onwenu will most likely suit up. Both have been full participants at practice. Jonathan Jones would be another huge loss if unable to play due to the fact that he is historically very effective against Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill. The speedster typically is a nightmare for opposing defenses, but Jones has held him to an average of 24.5 yards and zero touchdowns since 2018. DeVante Parker will hopefully make his way back to the lineup this week as the Patriots’ deep-threat to replace rookie Kayshon Boutte who was unable to make key plays against the Eagles. It seems as though most of these players will be game-time decisions. Only time will tell.
Week 2 Predictions
The Dolphins are coming off a big win from last week, where QB Tua Tagovailoa threw for over 450 yards and three touchdowns. An absolutely monster performance. However, the Patriots may have the edge over the Dolphins in most aspects of the game this week on paper. Despite the poor rushing performance last week, I like the matchup against Miami’s run defense because the Patriots should have Cole Strange and Mike Onwenu back in the line up instead of two rookies. Miami’s run defense was also shredded by the Chargers last week. Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott should be excited. The Patriots should also enjoy an advantage against the run on defense. The Dolphins faltered in their run game against the Chargers defensive unit and the speed and quickness of the Patriots defensive line and linebackers should similarly hold the Miami run game in check. My only worry is if Bill Belichick decides to commit too much to slowing down Tyreek Hill. The game plan will be interesting.
The pass game should be in favor of both offenses. A wide range of reliable targets gives Mac Jones a plethora of choices while going through progressions. While they may not be superstars, the variety may cause problems for the decent Miami secondary. The Dolphins wide receiver corps is one of the best in the league, with star power in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. It’s quantity versus quality this week. Who will prevail? The Patriots have the edge in terms of matchups this week in my opinion, but need to play a sound and mistake free game in order to get their first win of the season.
I’m sorry that they’ve had a bad start so far. I saw that they lost , but I really liked your in-depth analysis about how the teams would play into each others weaknesses. Despite the outcome, I thought your prediction was solid, I think they were likely to win, they just didn’t. Rhamondre Stevenson has been doing well on my fantasy team, he hasn’t been surpassing expectations, but he’s been playing tough teams. Excited to see him bloom more. Sometimes a starting record 2 games in is misleading, and doesn’t speak to good things that are going on. Both games were close, I’m excited to see where they’re at in ten games.
I like your point on how, while the Patriots may have lost overall, they still outplayed the Eagles in the second half — a “moral victory.” Having played soccer all throughout high school, I understand the disappointment that the players likely feel; however, I think the fact that they continued to push hard, despite losing is a commendable feat in itself. Not giving up is a valuable mentality to have, and if the Patriots continue to embody that, it will serve them well throughout the season; it just depends on how long that mentality can last.