With temperatures in the 90s and feels-like temps on the field at Hard Rock Stadium topping 100 degrees, Bill Belichick’s Patriots wilted in their 2022 regular season debut falling 20-7 to the Dolphins
Turnovers were a major problem, the offensive line struggled at times and New England couldn’t really match up with Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and the Dolphins dangerous new-look passing attack.
Before turning the page to next weekend’s trip to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers, here’s a look at the highs and lows from the season-opening loss in Miami.
Thumbs up
Kyle Dugger – New England’s third-year safety flashed in a good way in Miami, even as others on the defense were struggling. In the first half, Dugger had a picture-perfect tackle in the open field on Hill, arguably the most dangerous open-field runner in the NFL. On the next snap, Dugger shot a gap to tackle running back Chase Edmonds for a 7-yard loss. Dugger finished with five tackles, including two for a loss, and appears ready to potentially take his game to the next level.
Jakobi Meyers – As he’s been for the last three years, Meyers was simply the Patriots’ most productive, solid option in the passing game in Miami. Meyers had a nice high-point catch down the sideline in the second quarter. He finished with four catches for 55 yards and added a 7-yard rush for a first down. It wasn’t nearly enough for an offense that sputtered, but Meyers remains a consistent positive option.
Deatrich Wise Jr./Matt Judon – New England’s veteran defensive lineman Wise did a solid job getting after the quarterback early. Wise had a strip sack (recovered by Miami) on third down on opening drive to force field goal. Wise added another pressure in the second quarter and finished with three tackles on the day, building on a solid preseason of work. Judon was also effective off the edge at times, notching a sack and four QB hits on the day as well as five tackles with one for a loss. The duo was not enough to keep the Dolphins from throwing for nearly 300 yards on the way to victory.
Thumbs down
Offensive line – The Patriots offense and the running game actually got off to a nice early start with both Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson finding some first-quarter room to run. But those runs dried up in the second quarter as the offensive line began having its issues. The pass protection also struggled, with Jones under pressure thanks to poor communication and missed assignments up front. New England’s line had its problems on the practice and preseason fields, and those continued in the heat of Miami and the Dolphins' defense.
Turnovers – Ugly football leads to ugly results. New England’s first turnover of the day took potential points off the board when Mac Jones’ pass into the end zone toward DeVante Parker was batted by ballhawk Xavien Howard (who got away with pass interference) and intercepted by teammate Jevon Holland. The turnover led to a field goal. New England’s second turnover led to instant points as a blitzing Brandon Jones stripped Mac Jones fo the football, teammate Melvin Ingram recovering for the 2-yard touchdown return. It goes without says, but turnovers lead to losing and the Patriots proved that in Miami. For good measure, Nelson Agholor fumbled the ball away late with the Patriots' trying to drive to a would-be comeback effort.
Kendrick Bourne – The veteran wide receiver’s weird summer turned into a strange start to the season. Bourne did not play a single snap in the first half in Miami as he’s apparently still well down the depth chart, even behind practice squad call-up Lil’Jordan Humphrey. He did have a 41-yard catch down the left sideline in the fourth quarter, but still has to find a way to get back into the early, regular rotation at receiver.
Adrian Phillips injury – The veteran safety left the game in the second quarter with a rib injury and was then ruled out officially in the foruth quarter. Sure the Patriots have great depth at safety, but losing Phillips for any period of time would be a major blow to an already undermanned defense.
Mac Jones – The reality is that Jones’ turned the ball over twice. That was the key to the loss. Whether the pass to Parker should have been a penalty or not, Jones decided to throw at the NFL’s interception machine in recent years. Jones also probably needed to at least see or adjust to the Dolphins overloading his left side on the blitz that led to the strip sack and touchdown. At times Jones seemed to be in control of the offense and leading the unit – including the opening drives of the first and second halves. But he was never in full control or fully comfortable and never close to leading the offense in a way that was good enough to win. With the Patriots clinging to comeback hopes, Jones missed Nelson Agholor open down the sideline for what could have been a huge late play. (Jones did connect with Bourne for 41 yards a play later.) As the quarterback, he gets more of the blame than he probably should when things go poorly. Like much of the rest of his team, Jones wasn't good enough in Miami. It is what it is.