As I accidentally take a sip of my now cold coffee (okay ew!), I mull over how I feel as a Patriots fan about the first regular season game being a loss.
In my preseason wrap-ups I urged you to not look at the numbers, meaning mostly the scores, and as cliché as it may sound, I would urge you still not to.
Instead, maybe look at this big picture as a whole. For starters, the defense put down numbers that would make them look better than they really were, and perhaps the scores on the board made the offense not look quite as good as they performed.
The game day surprises came early with the release of the inactive list. The addition of Nick Folk over Quinn Nordin didn’t shock many; disappointed a few – maybe, but the inclusion of Devin Asiasi and J.J. Taylor on the list had many of us fans somewhat stunned. Taylor’s beast like efforts in the preseason were expected to make him a game day lock and with the niggles of injury between the two free agency signing tight ends, Asiasi was a name fans were perhaps expecting to be featured in the first regular season game, at least a little.
But the confidence in Hunter Henry’s fitness, who hadn’t featured in any preseason games due to a shoulder injury, must have been high because he lined up for 54 of the snaps (72%) and was utilised as an excellent blocker. Hunter was even targeted 3 times for 3 receptions and 31 yards.
And Hunter wasn’t the only tight end to show up to the Boston TE party, Jonnu Smith was featured here, there, and everywhere with 55 snaps. Undertaking blocking, 1 hand off with a rush for 6 yards and 5 receptions for 42 yards. Smith did fumble (more on that later) but fortunately the dependable David Andrews moved like lightning and had his body on that ball to keep it safe, and save Smith’s butt.
That’s not to say the tight endage was sparkling and amazing, but it was there, and it was seen, and I will take that, thank you very much!
Now, I mentioned Smith’s fumble, and as much as David Andrews saved it, that wasn’t the only one. Thanks to Damien Harris and the call on Rhamondre Stevenson too, the Patriots racked up 4 fumbles during this 1 game, and the amount of penalties was equally as concerning.
I know I know, I asked you not to get hung up on the numbers, and I assure you I am not, but some things you just can’t gloss over.
Although my score prediction was incorrect, I had the Patriots winning 22 to 18, I predicted the game would be messy for both sides, and I think I got it right (for once!). But I’ve gotta admit the Patriots’ Alabama rookie quarterback looked better than the Dolphins’ one — and if you watched the game you’d know I’m not being completely biased there.
But, the Patriots defense didn’t hold the Dolphins the way that I predicted. Whilst Matt Judon definitely earned his dolla dolla bills, the majority of the secondary was rather inconsistent. J.C. Jackson had some beautiful coverage with a knock away in the middle of the second quarter but he, along with Jonathan Jones, displayed plenty of instability during this first game. And at times, it appeared to me as though the Dolphins receivers were coated in butter, they were so slippery.
Still, there were plenty of positives as well as negatives to take away from this match up and perhaps the most important one was how Mac Jones performed. This young guy, just turned 23, is the first rookie signal caller to start for the Patriots since Drew Bledsoe in 1993, and I don’t think I am out of order to say most of the time he didn’t look it. What I mean is Mac was cool, calm, and collected. He had some pocket presence awareness, he was decisive and in command, throwing 39 times for 29 completions and 281 passing yards.
Okay folks, Mac isn’t perfect, he has a way to go. As does the defence, and I guess the team as a whole. But the show isn’t over yet, in fact it is literally only just beginning. So don’t get swept up in the loss, get excited for the next win!
Go Pats!
