Week 1 Game Thread! Dolphins @ Patriots

"OwesOwn614 wrote:

Damn. He looks like he is about 12 years old in that pic.

"pumpdogs wrote:

Just curious your outlook if we lose?

It would really depend on how we lose. The defense should keep the points low and I think we should field a great special teams unit again this year. So if it's more of the same from last year- defensive battles where we're getting a slight edge in field position but really can't sustain drives, it's a red flag for me win or lose. I mean, even if we win 17-0 solely off of pick six's and red zone turnovers, I'm going to be disappointed to some extent.

If we get blown out, my initial reaction will be "it's only week 1"...but it's reason for major concern. We face two teams much better than the Pats in the first five weeks, and I really believe that this is a "must win" game for where our team should be in 2021. We can't start another year 1-4 and get hot down the stretch...we're supposed to be past those growing pains. All you can really judge in week 1 is growth.

Bottom line, the Pats have improved this offseason by spending a ton of money and getting a lot of defensive starters back. But on the other side, their top corner is out and they're starting a rookie QB against our very capable defense. With Cam and their top CB starting, I'd say this would be a 3 point game that could go either way. But without them I really feel like this should be a 10+ point win for Miami.

Again, just my 2 cents...maybe I'm way off on the pulse of this team. But I do feel like we're going to start fast this season and be that perennial playoff contender by year's end. We probably can't get there though if we struggle to beat a rookie QB in his first NFL start- this is a dream matchup for us against the Pats.

"KeyFin wrote:

It would really depend on how we lose. The defense should keep the points low and I think we should field a great special teams unit again this year. So if it's more of the same from last year- defensive battles where we're getting a slight edge in field position, it's a red flag for me win or lose. I mean, even if we win 17-0 solely off of pick six's and red zone turnovers, I'm going to be disappointed to some extent.

If we get blown out, my initial reaction will be "it's only week 1"...but it's reason for major concern. We face two teams much better than the Pats in the first five weeks, and I really believe that this is a "must win" game for where our team should be in 2021. We can't start another year 1-4 and get hot down the stretch...we're supposed to be past those growing pains. All you can really judge in week 1 is growth...and we swept the Pats last year.

Bottom line, the Pats have improved this offseason by spending a ton of money and getting a lot of defensive starters back. But on the other side, their top corner is out and they're starting a rookie QB against our very capable defense. With Cam and their top CB starting, I'd say this would be a 3 point game that could go either way. But without them I really feel like this should be a 10+ point win for Miami.

Again, just my 2 cents...maybe I'm way off on the pulse of this team. But I do feel like we're going to start fast this season and be that perennial playoff contender by year's end. We probably can't get there though if we struggle to beat a rookie QB in his first NFL start- this is a dream matchup for us against the Pats.

I for one will be very upset if we lose this game.And I need to correct you that we didn't sweep the pats.They beat us opening day last year 21-11 and then we lost to the bills.I don't think we can afford a repeat of 2020.We need to start strong.

"pumpdogs wrote:

I for one will be very upset if we lose this game.And I need to correct you that we didn't sweep the pats.They beat us opening day last year 21-11 and then we lost to the bills.I don't think we can afford a repeat of 2020.We need to start strong.

Oh, you're completely right- I somehow forgot about that. So we're starting with the exact same 2-week schedule as last year. That makes it even more of a "must-win" in my book. Because think about it- if we beat the Pats week one last season, we were pretty much locked for the playoffs by week 15. The entire year plays out different because of one divisional win.

Then add in that we almost beat the Bills last year in week 2...those two losses were all we really needed to win the whole division, even with the week 17 blowout.

"KeyFin wrote:

Oh, you're completely right- I somehow forgot about that. So we're starting with the exact same 2-week schedule as last year. That makes it even more of a "must-win" in my book. Because think about it- if we beat the Pats week one last season, we were pretty much locked for the playoffs by week 15. The entire year plays out different because of one divisional win.

Then add in that we almost beat the Bills last year in week 2...those two losses were all we really needed to win the whole division, even with the week 17 blowout.

Oh I agree!Need to win.

*Welp* Let's see what he does with his opportunities. If he maxes them, then he'll have more of them.

Oh, by the way...

If Tua plays as well as he speaks then there's going to be another undefeated season in Dolphins history.

Here's Mac:

Looks like lots of dumb questions all around. Got to love the media.

"Wilkimania wrote:

If Tua plays as well as he speaks then there's going to be another undefeated season in Dolphins history.

Bold prediction Cotton. Let's see how it plays out.

Is it just me or do all/almost all Patriots bloggers/commentary guys come across as smug? Really hard to listen to.

"Galant wrote:

Is it just me or do all/almost all Patriots bloggers/commentary guys come across as smug? Really hard to listen to.

Much like their fans.

"Den54 wrote:

Bold prediction Cotton. Let's see how it plays out.

Nobody makes me bleed my own blood. Nobody!

Pats might have a problem...

"OwesOwn614 wrote:

Pats might have a problem...

That Pats already had a problem (rookie QB against our D)...now they have multiple problems (nobody to cover our speedsters on the outside). I'm personally perplexed at how some think the Pats have the advantage, even inside Gilette with fans.

But hey, the quotes say the backups and rookies have been ballin'...

Defensive back Jalen Mills, who reportedly rolled his ankle during Wednesday’s practice, looked limited in the brief period that reporters were permitted to watch, moving slowly through the team’s stretching lines.

(UPDATE: Mills and wide receiver Nelson Agholor both did not participate in practice, according to the Patriots’ injury report.)

Losing Mills for this Sunday’s season opener against the Miami Dolphins would exacerbate an already pressing problem for the Patriots’ defense.

Mills is expected to start at cornerback opposite J.C. Jackson because usual starter Stephon Gilmore is on the physically unable to perform list and cannot play in New England’s first six games. That already was a dicey proposition, as Mills struggled as an outside corner in Philadelphia before the Eagles shifted him into a multipositional do-everything role last season.

If Mills, who was far from dominant in training camp and the preseason, can’t go against Miami, the Patriots likely would replace him with either Joejuan Williams or Shaun Wade.

Williams, a 2019 second-round draft pick, has yet to earn consistent playing time in New England’s defense and seemed to fall down the depth chart late in the preseason. Wade has promise as a once-highly regarded college prospect, but he was traded before the end of his rookie preseason and has been with the Patriots for just two weeks.

Rounding out New England’s cornerback room are top slot option Jonathan Jones and special teamer Justin Bethel. Bethel, an elite punt gunner, has played more than 1,200 defensive snaps in his NFL career but just 20 over the past three seasons, playing almost exclusively in the kicking game. The only defensive backs on the Patriots’ practice squad are slot/safety hybrids Myles Bryant and D’Angelo Ross.

The Dolphins will be without suspended deep-threat wideout Will Fuller this week but still feature a solid receiving corps consisting of DeVante Parker, rookie Jaylen Waddle, Preston Williams, Albert Wilson and Jakeem Grant, plus a tight end in Mike Gesicki who had 703 receiving yards and six touchdowns last season. Parker famously torched Gilmore and the Patriots for 137 yards on eight catches in Miami’s 2019 upset win at Gillette Stadium.

"KeyFin wrote:

That Pats already had a problem (rookie QB against our D)...now they have multiple problems (nobody to cover our speedsters on the outside). I'm personally perplexed at how some think the Pats have the advantage, even inside Gilette with fans.

But hey, the quotes say the backups and rookies have been ballin'...

You'd think that they don't know that we've been splitting with the Pats for the past four years (even before we got competitive). People probably would rank them as our third strongest rivalry in the division but that doesn't mean that there's not significant hate flowing between their locker room and ours. Or at least, between their fandom and ours.

"KeyFin wrote:

That Pats already had a problem (rookie QB against our D)...now they have multiple problems (nobody to cover our speedsters on the outside). I'm personally perplexed at how some think the Pats have the advantage, even inside Gilette with fans.

But hey, the quotes say the backups and rookies have been ballin'...

Well, let's be honest. The Patriots have missed the playoffs twice in 20 years, won the division 17 years and last season was their first losing season in that 20 years.

I can see why people are hesitant to count them out.

"Dol-Fan Dupree wrote:

Well, let's be honest. The Patriots have missed the playoffs twice in 20 years, won the division 17 years and last season was their first losing season in that 20 years.

I can see why people are hesitant to count them out.

I completely agree on the past tense stuff, but I think we're entering a new era in the East and Belichek's days of being seen as a guru are coming to an end. The benefit of the doubt extends past one season, sure, but the stuff coming out of their media is just ridiculous.

I mean, think about this- how would you guys feel about me saying, "Tua looks like the next Marino" last year based on a few pre-season practices and games? You'd laugh me off the internet! But in New England, the "benefit of the doubt" means every young player looks like an instant HOF player I guess.

I just can't wait to stomp their asses and end this silly talk of the Patriot Way being like a secret Jedi power that anyone up there can harness.

"KeyFin wrote:

I completely agree on the past tense stuff, but I think we're entering a new era in the East and Belichek's days of being seen as a guru are coming to an end. The benefit of the doubt extends past one season, sure, but the stuff coming out of their media is just ridiculous.

I mean, think about this- how would you guys feel about me saying, "Tua looks like the next Marino" last year based on a few pre-season practices and games? You'd laugh me off the internet! But in New England, the "benefit of the doubt" means every young player looks like a former HOF player I guess.

I just can't wait to stomp their asses and end this silly talk of the Patriot Way being like a secret Jedi power that anyone can harness.

I think the same thing and that the Patriots are living off of 20 years of dominance in predictions this year. Especially when it comes to Matt Jones who so far has looked fine. It is weird watching highlights of him and him throwing a routine pass while the commentators are making him out to be the next Mahomes.

So for Miami, it looks like everyone but Preston Williams is good to go.

"KeyFin wrote:

I completely agree on the past tense stuff, but I think we're entering a new era in the East and Belichek's days of being seen as a guru are coming to an end. The benefit of the doubt extends past one season, sure, but the stuff coming out of their media is just ridiculous.

I mean, think about this- how would you guys feel about me saying, "Tua looks like the next Marino" last year based on a few pre-season practices and games? You'd laugh me off the internet! But in New England, the "benefit of the doubt" means every young player looks like an instant HOF player I guess.

I just can't wait to stomp their asses and end this silly talk of the Patriot Way being like a secret Jedi power that anyone up they can harness.

Well that Jedi power worked on the refs some how…