Divisional Battle 

By Mike Rifkin

The Miami Dolphins will open up their AFC East portion of the schedule Sunday night as they go to Foxborough to play the Patriots. Tua Tagovailoa and company put on a show in Los Angeles last week where Tua threw for 466 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. Tyreek Hill had 11 receptions for 215 yards and two touchdowns. The Dolphins’ defense made big plays on the Chargers final series when they needed it. 

The Patriots fell to the Eagles 25-20 in week one. Mac Jones threw for 316 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. The Patriots fell behind 16-0, so Jones was forced to throw 54 times in the game. We wonder who will make plays on the outside regarding the Patriots offense. Last week, Kendrick Bourne had six catches for 64 yards and two touchdowns. 

The two divisional rivals split their two meetings last season. The Dolphins opened their season with a 20-7 win at home, and in week 17, the Patriots held serve on their home field with a 23-21 victory. Tua didn’t play in the second meeting as he was recovering from a concussion. In his career vs. the Patriots, Tua has a 68.5 completion percentage, 726 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions in four games. Tyreek Hill has 36 catches for 550 yards and six touchdowns in six games. Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who has three touchdowns in four games vs. New England, can cause havoc on the Patriots secondary. 

Mac Jones has a 68.2 completion percentage with 959 yards (239.8 per game), five touchdowns, and two interceptions in four games vs. Miami. Miami’s defense does have eight sacks in the four games. One thing New England can take away from what the Chargers did is run the football. The Chargers had 233 yards rushing and averaged almost six yards per carry. The Patriots could not run the ball against the Eagles mainly because the score and the Eagles’ defensive line is excellent. On a positive note, they did average 3.5 yards per carry. 

Bill Belichick is 27-19 vs. the Dolphins as coach of the Patriots, his worst mark within the AFC East. Can Miami start the season 2-0, or will New England enter the win column for the first time in 2023? It should be a battle on Sunday night.