Day 915, Quasi-Quarantine: Dolphins-Patriots Game 1 Review

 

Committing no turnovers and just four penalties, Miami notched a season-opening win against the visiting Patsies, 20-7. In his first game as coach, 39-year-old Mike McDaniel recorded his first victory. The blemishes were an uneven performance by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (who nevertheless improved to a sterling 4-0 vs. New England) and some immature and stupid playcalling at the end, which led to Bill Belicheat being pretty pissed afterward.

On to the this-is-my-pity-face recap ...

Offense

• Frankly (pun intended), Miami's offense did not look any different under new offensive coordinator Frank Smith and McDaniel. The Dolphins managed just 65 rushing yards, averaging under three yards per carry, and finished with 307 total offensive yards (5.2 yards per play) despite forcing three Patriots turnovers and controlling time of possession (32:30-27:30). In addition to not committing a turnover, the 'Fins converted a respectable six of 14 third down attempts, and also got conversions on a pair of fourth downs. However, Miami did not convert either red zone visit into a touchdown.
• Tua's final numbers looked much better than he actually played, as he went 23 of 33 for 270 yards and a touchdown. He got away with some shaky throws, was less accurate than normal, scrambled twice for zero yards, held the ball too long, was sacked three times, fumbled once, and narrowly avoided multiple turnovers. Going forward, the Dolphins are going to need much cleaner play from the signal-caller position.
• Chase Edmonds got the most snaps in the backfield (38), but managed just 25 yards on a dozen carries, though he did add 40 yards on four receptions, with a long of 15. Raheem Mostert (25 snaps) got just five carries for 16 yards (including an 11-yarder), but he did have a crucial 16-yard catch and run. Alec Ingold (22 snaps) converted a 3rd & 1 with a 2-yard run, caught a pass for 8 yards, and was targeted on a downfield toss at one point. Last year's starter, Myles Gaskin, was inactive, but much more was expected from the rushing attack considering McDaniel's pedigree. Granted, New England is stout against the run, but Miami is going to have to rely more on the ground game in coming weeks.
• At wide receiver, Tyreek Hill made a big impact in his Miami debut, reeling in eight passes on 12 targets for 94 yards, with a long of 26. He added a six-yard run, but bad fundamentals led to him carrying the ball in the wrong hand and fumbling out of bounds at one point. Jaylen Waddle (75.4 grade from Pro Football Focus, second-best on the offense) made the  most of his targets, snaring four balls for 69 yards -- including his 42-yard touchdown on a pivotal fourth-down play -- and rushing once for eight yards. Another new Dolphin, Cedrick Wilson, caught a pair of passes for 20 yards and contributed an eight-yard run. Trent Sherfield (21 snaps) caught an eight-yard pass, while River Cracraft was the only other wideout to play, earning 10 snaps. All three of Miami's top receivers got a rushing attempt, giving a snapshot of how the 'Fins likely intend to bolster a lackluster running game. 
• The tight ends were mostly relegated to blocking in this one with Durham Smythe (38 snaps) posting a 14-yard reception and Mike Gesicki (25 snaps) adding a one-yard catch. Hunter Long (12 snaps) and Cethan Carter, who left with a concussion, provided depth, but the Gesicki usage is troubling and is a likely indicator that the 'Fins should have traded him this offseason.
• In a repeat of so many 2021 recaps, the offensive line was, well, offensive. New center Connor Williams was assigned an 82.3 grade by PFF and even better marks in run blocking, but he was badly beaten on a play that resulted in a fumble that he fortunately recovered. New left tackle Terron Armstead missed two snaps with an injury but otherwise allowed only a single pressure in 35 pass-blocking snaps, while new right tackle Austin Jackson was limited to just 14 snaps due to an ankle injury. Liam Eichenberg (left guard) and Robert Hunt (right guard) played all 60 snaps but struggled to limit penetration by the Patriots front, and reserves Greg Little (45 snaps) and Robert Jones (three snaps) pitched in due to injuries. While the line was not helped by Tua's tendency to hold on to the ball, they allowed way too many clean rushers and created way too few running lanes in a disappointing start to the campaign for the unit.

Defense

• Miami came out strong on this side of the ball, holding the Patsies to just 271 yards, forcing three turnovers, and scoring a defensive touchdown. New England went four of nine on third downs and didn't convert its only fourth-down attempt. Despite surrendering a pair of 12-yard runs, the 'Fins still held the Patriots to 78 rushing yards and a 3.5-yards-per-carry average, not allowing the visitors to sustain a consistent ground game. The Dolphins will need to generate more pressure from its front four throughout the season, but New England quarterback Mac Jones did focus on getting the ball out quickly.
• Up front, Miami got plus games from its defensive ends, with Emmanuel Ogbah setting the tone with four tackles, a sack, a stop for loss, and two quarterback hits on his way to a 76.5 PFF grade. Christian Wilkins added five stops, including one for a loss, while Zach Sieler posted two solo stops and a pass breakup.
• At nose tackle, Raekwon Davis played one of his better games, recording five stops in 36 snaps. John Jenkins added a tackle in his 10 snaps.
• At outside linebacker, Melvin Ingram had a memorable Dolphins debut, picking up two tackles, a stop for a loss, a fumble recovery and a defensive touchdown to earn a 76.8 PFF grade in his 32 snaps. Jaelan Phillips struggled on the strong side, registering a tackle and a fumble recovery in his 40 snaps, but also losing his man in coverage for an easy score. Recovering from having his appendix removed, Andrew Van Ginkel saw just seven snaps (making one tackle), and the unit missed his motor in this one.
• On the inside, Jerome Baker led the linebackers with six tackles, playing every snap. Elandon Roberts had five stops, but missed multiple tackles in space and generally had a forgettable game. In his 20 snaps, Duke Riley contributed four tackles and a pass breakup.
• Xavien Howard played every snap at corner, making a pair of solo tackles, breaking up an end zone pass that turned into an interception, and getting flagged for illegal contact. On the other side, Nik Needham played all but one snap, notching four solo tackles, and despite getting beat deep a few times, played winning football. In reserve, Kader Kohou stood out, recording three tackles, a stop for loss, a pass breakup, and a forced fumble in just 18 snaps -- earning a PFF grade of 91.2, the highest on the team. Keion Crossen had two stops in 16 snaps, while Justin Bethel added a solo tackle.
• At strong safety, Brandon Jones was everywhere, playing all 57 snaps and leading the way with 11 tackles, plus a sack, quarterback hit, pass breakup, and a forced fumble that led to a defensive score. Jones also displayed a unique ability to make himself small to fill gaps in run support. At free safety, Jevon Holland played every snap as well, delivering three solo tackles and a pass breakup to go with his pick. With Eric Rowe inactive with a pectoral injury and Clayton Fejedelem on IR, Elijah Campbell had two tackles in four scrimmage snaps.

Special teams

• Jason Sanders had a promising start to the season, hitting a pair of 40+-yard field goals and both extra points.
• In his first game as a 'Fin, Thomas Morestead averaged 45.8 on four punts (with a long of 58), with three downed inside the 20-yard line, including a pair inside the 10-yard line. He also adeptly handled a poor snap on one of his punts.
• Despite a lot of intrigue surrounding Hill or Waddle handling punts, Holland was back at punt returner, fair-catching two punts inside the 10-yard line -- which may earn him some extra coaching this week.
• On kickoffs, Mostert had a 16-yard return and Ingold added a 12-yarder.
• Smythe (14) and Sherfield (13) led the way in special teams snaps offensively, while Riley (15), Bethel (15), and Crossen (13) paced Miami defenders.

Momentum plays

• After an impressive New England drive that saw a nice mix of runs and passes, Mac Jones ill-advisedly challenged Xavien Howard, targeting former Dolphins DeVante Parker on a deep jump ball in the end zone. "X" swatted the pass away, and Jevon Holland came over to snare the ball and return it 31 yards.
• Tyreek Hill converted a 3rd & 2 with a short catch, then New England jump offsides on 4th & 1 to continue the ensuing Miami possession. Connor Williams was beaten badly on a 3rd & 7 play, resulting in a strip sack on Tua, with Williams fortunately recovering the fumble to set up a 43-yard Jason Sanders field goal.
• Following an exchange of punts, Brandon Jones perfectly timed a safety blitz, hit Jones, and forced a fumble that Ingram scooped up for an easy score and a 10-0 lead.
• The 'Fins overcame a stellar catch by Jakobi Meyers to force another punt, and clutch conversions to Hill and Waddle got Miami moving from its own 8-yard line. On an ill-advised jump ball, Hill stole away an interception for a nice gain, but the Dolphins faced a 4th & 7 with just 24 seconds left in the half. Instead of punting, Tua hit Waddle on a slant, and he made three New England defensive backs run into other as he scampered 42 yards for a score and a 17-0 advantage with just 18 seconds remaining in the half.
• After a quick Miami three-and-out to start the second half, New England put together a lengthy drive, aided by an illegal contact call on "X" on a fourth-down shot to the end zone. On 3rd & goal, the 'Fins rushed three, putting Phillips in coverage, where he lost his man in the flat for an easy Patsies touchdown, cutting the margin to 17-7.
• The Dolphins responded, getting an 18-yard catch-and-run from Hill and a 16-yard catch-and -run from Mostert to move into New England territory. Miami had to settle for a 49-yard field goal from Sanders, which barely tucked inside the left upright to push the score to 20-7.
• An exchange of punts gave the Patriots good field position at their own 43-yard line, but a Sieler run stuff on 3rd & 3 paved the way for a huge Kohou pass breakup on fourth down to end the New England opportunity.
• An ugly Dolphins drive ensued, with Tua nearly throwing an interception before nearly fumbling. In a huge moment, Morehead cleanly fielded a terrible snap, then calmly drilled a 41-yarder that was downed at the 5-yard line by Crossen.
• Kohou made his presence felt again, this time drilling Nelson Agholor to jar the ball loose, with Phillips pouncing on the ball for (what should have been) the game-clinching turnover.
• Inexplicably, Miami came out looking to throw deep, with Tua holding the ball too long and putting an easy win in jeopardy. Fortunately, the Dolphins got bailed out by a Patriots penalty that converted a 3rd & 2, allowing the home team to kneel on it twice to secure the victory.

2022 Schedule

Miami 20, New England 7 (1-0)