Chris Perkins: Five factors to check out for in Dolphins’ opener vs. Patriots

1. Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa vs. Patriots QB Mac Jones: The fight of two previous Alabama first-round picks should be attention-grabbing. Jones (22 TDs, 13 INTs in 2021), a Professional Bowl selection, will likely look to get the ball out immediately to keep away from Miami’s blitzes and go hurry.

Watch for Jones finding on CB Noah Igbinoghene, the substitute for Byron Jones (leg). Tagoavailoa (16 TDs, 10 INTs in 2021) will have to acquire benefit of WRs Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle to strike anxiety and confusion into the Patriots protection. Don’t concentration on Tagovailoa’s deep throws, glimpse for performance, final decision-creating and accuracy.

2. Dolphins mentor Mike McDaniel vs. Patriots mentor Invoice Belichick: This is New England’s major edge and the good thing is for Miami, it is not an on-discipline edge so its outcome is minimal. However, we’re conversing about the possible GOAT so his existence issues. Look at how Belichick defends Hill and see if he tries to choose him out of the offense.

But it’s feasible Belichick could concentration on having away the run game and forcing Tagovailoa to earn it with his remaining arm. McDaniel, the rookie head mentor, packs offensive creative imagination with gifted, speedy gamers and a protection that appears to be to have enjoy-making prospective. Offensively, he’ll probable look to get the run video game heading and use it to throw off of enjoy-action, and defensively assume tons of blitzes and weighty pressure on Jones. This must be a exciting one particular to watch.

3. Patriots vs. Warmth/humidity: Belichick brought his group down on Tuesday evening to exercise in South Florida’s heat and humidity. We’ll see regardless of whether it aids. Tough Rock Stadium’s design and style puts the browsing sideline in oppressive, vitality-draining daylight the total match through early afternoon matchups.

But probably Belichick is above-contemplating the circumstance. During the past five many years the Dolphins are 2-5 in September house online games and have been outscored, 172-75. Interestingly, the the vast majority of teams that have beaten Miami all through that stretch — Buffalo (two times), Baltimore, New England and the Los Angeles Chargers — aren’t used to the heat and humidity, and did not get there early for the recreation.

4. Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill vs. Patriots secondary: Hill, who can get the leading off of a protection in the blink of an eye, will be a focal issue for both equally teams. Miami will mainly consider to get him the ball in place so he can use his quickness, then his pace. But the Dolphins will take some deep photographs, way too.

New England will just about certainly double-include Hill, a six-time Professional Bowl assortment. But the Patriots’ beginning CBs, Jalen Mills and Jonathan Jones, seem to be susceptible vs. Hill. New England’s ideal counterpunches to Hill may well be its go hurry and FS Devin McCourty. Whether or not or not Hill has a major day statistically, he’ll have an impression on the recreation.

5. Dolphins dashing protection vs. Patriots hurrying offense: New England missing 2 times to Miami past year, but the Patriots experienced over 100 yards dashing in each individual game. If the Patriots are able to play a ball regulate offense led by their managing match it’ll give Jones a huge break and maybe pressure Miami’s offense to move a lot more than it wishes.

It also minimizes the part of Miami’s go protection and pass hurry, potentially the strongest features of the crew. Miami’s operate protection, led by DL Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis, and LBs Elandon Roberts and Jerome Baker, needs to be great.

()