By Tiffany Williams –
On Sunday, the New England Patriots dropped their 2022-23 season opener 7-20 to the Miami Dolphins.
New England only dressed two quarterbacks, sitting rookie Bailey Zappe. Veteran Brian Hoyer was back up to starting quarterback Mac Jones and served as an aid to Jones on the sideline.
With 4:10 on the clock in the first quarter, Sanders’ 43 yard field goal was good for the Miami Dolphins to take a 0-3 lead.
With 7:40 on the clock in the second quarter, Mac Jones was sacked at the NE 6 for -9 yards and fumbled. Fumble was recovered by Ingram at NE 2. Ingram took it for 2 to get the first touchdown of the game for Miami. Sanders’ extra point was good to make it a 0-10 game. With twenty-four seconds remaining in the second quarter Tagovailoa passed short middle to Waddle for 42 yards, and Waddle got the second touchdown of the game for Miami. Sanders’ extra point was good to make this a 0-17 game.
In the third quarter, with 4:50 on the clock Mac Jones passed short right to Montgomery for 6 yards to get the touchdown to put New England on the board. Folk’s extra point was good to make this a 7-17 game. With just twenty-four seconds remaining in the third quarter, Sanders’ 49 yard field goal was good to make this a 7-20 game.
The Patriots had possession of the ball for thirty-two minutes. They had eighteen first downs (three by rushing, thirteen by passing and two by penalty). On the third down the Patriots were 6-14-43%, fourth down 1-1-100% and red zone they were 0-2-0%. Over 307 net yards the Patriots made 59 offensive plays.
Earlier this week, Bill Belichick was asked what impresses him about Tua Tagovailoa? Belichick said, “Productive player, knows how to use his weapons, receivers, backs. Makes a lot of good critical plays, goal line, third-and -one, fourth-and-one. Couple plays that were formatted against us last year. Smart football player.” Exactly what Belichick said is exactly what you saw from Tagovailoa on Sunday and in many ways you also saw from Mike McDaniel, and why Miami came out on top in this contest.
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