Fin-Tastic Debut

By : Mike Rifkin

On Sunday the Miami Dolphins defeated their division rival the New England Patriots 20-7 in Mike McDaniel’s Head Coaching debut. For the Dolphins it was their fourth consecutive win over the Patriots. The Dolphins defense was a major factor in the victory forcing three Patriot turnovers, getting three sacks and even scoring a touchdown. In the Second Quarter Safety, Brandon Jones knocked the ball free from Mac Jones and Melvin Ingram scooped the ball and ran two yards for the touchdown. The Dolphins defense held the Patriots to 271 yards of total Offense. Head Coach Mike McDaniel said after the game “I told the team last night that this is still the defense’s team until proven otherwise. That was important to them when they heard that. They wanted to prove me right, and they sure did.” When Miami won seven consecutive games last season the defense was a major factor. The Dolphins offense had some fresh faces as well. Tyreek Hill, who the Dolphins acquired from the Chiefs had eight catches for 94 yards in his debut. Second year receiver Jaylen Waddle had the biggest play of the day. On fourth and seven late in the second quarter Waddle caught a pass from Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and ran 42 yards for the touchdown to put the Dolphins up 17-0 at Halftime. Tagovailoa went 23-33 for 270 yards and Waddle had four catches for 69 yards and they combined for a touchdown. 

For the Patriots second year Quarterback Mac Jones 21-30 for 213 yards a touchdown and a interception. One of the major questions for the Patriots entering the season was who was going to make plays on the outside. Jakobi Meyers had four catches for 55 yards, Jonnu Smith and Nelson Agholor had three catches each. New Patriot Devante Parker had one catch for nine yards. Running Back Ty Montgomery caught the touchdown from Jones. Head Coach Bill Bellichick said after the game “We got into their territory six, seven times and it was seven points. So we’ve got to do a better job of finishing.” 

Both teams will play against AFC North teams this week as the Dolphins go into Baltimore to play the Ravens and the Patriots go to Pittsburgh to play the Steelers. These two teams will play each other again on New Year’s Day in Foxboro in what could have a lot of playoff implications.