Phins MUST Send Pats Home Losers!

Dolphins have no excuses to not defeat the Patriots Week 1

The Miami Dolphins have had a ultra exciting offseason, Free Agent signings, and trading for a BIG time player. Now they must meet the expectations, perform up to their abilities, and make the playoffs! This is probably the most talented team we have had in recent memory and nothing short of the playoffs is acceptable. If they want to make this goal happen, they must hit the ground running to start the season because they have a very tough 4 games to start the season. So, defeating their division rivals the New England Patriots Week 1 at home is all but non-negotiable.

Sending the Pats home losers is critical!

The pay per head sites have the Dolphins as a small -2.5 point favorite to the New England Patriots at home. It should also be a nice warm day, which is always a good home field advantage for us. While the Dolphins swept the Patriots last season, it’s always a tough task playing against a Belichick coached team.  On paper the Dolphins have a more talented team, but that doesn’t guarantee a victory. 

The Phins new look offense will get their first chance to showcase all their new shiny weapons. They must produce given all the investment. But, the popcorn won’t get popped until they ACTUALLY get the job done and score a bunch of points on an always good Patriots defense. It will be a big boost if Miami can get the ground game going early against a weak run 2021 run defense. We ran all over them in the last meeting against them, so we should make hay. A rushing attack will make Tua’s job so much easier.  Miami showed a TON of offense in the last preseason game, so it will be interesting to see if the offensive game plan will be similar or what new wrinkles will be added for this upcoming game.

I can’t wait to see Waddle and Hill together on the field for the first time and how teams TRY and defend them. This might be the most interesting and exciting storyline in a decade plus!

Even with the Offense boost, Miami’s core is defense

On defense, Miami needs to apply the pressure on Mac Jones. While Jones isn’t a big threat with his legs, he is elusive in the pocket and at avoiding the sack and getting the ball off when pressured. However, the first job is to stop the run and force Jones to beat Miami with his arm, which he hasn’t proved he can do with enough regularity. If Miami stops the Pats rushing attack cold, it’s a wrap and the Phins will win!

Also, interesting side note, the Patriots snagged Lynn Bowden Jr, who I think will be a real asset for them at some point. However, the Dolphins returned the favor by recently signing former special team’s standout Justin Bethel. I’ll be looking to see if either actually provides help to their new team, though we might not find out this week.

Despite all the injection of talent, I think this will be a close game and come down to which team makes the least amount of mistakes and turnovers. Bottom line: Miami must find a way to come out victorious because there is limited room for error in a 17 game season with a loaded AFC. Every win, and even more so a win against another AFC team, is crucial in Miami making the playoffs. A loss to the Pats would obviously be disappointing and a big set back, though not the end of the world. But it would make the Phins upcoming games against the Ravens, Patriots, and Bengals that much more critical to get wins! So, I’m hoping for a nice relaxing start to the 2022 Season with a beat down of the Patriots!

What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins news fans thoughts on this upcoming season opener?