The season is finally here, and Patriots football is just a day away. Tomorrow, the New England Patriots welcome the Miami Dolphins to Gillette Stadium, along with thousands of fans, for the first time since the 2019 season.

One’s To Watch

Here are the Patriots I’ll be keeping my eye on this weekend and why.

Mac Jones

Not a surprise here, Mac Jones makes his professional debut as an NFL starting quarterback. Many teams across the league have seen multiple signal-callers over the last few years, but, for the Patriots, it’ll be the first time a rookie quarterback will start week 1 as the starter since Drew Bledsoe in 1993.

Whatever the circumstance behind it, Mac won the starting job and gets his chance to lead this team against his former teammate in Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins. Jones will come up against some a good Miami secondary who should be more prepared than last season to deal with a more conventional pocket-passing style player.

I want to see Jones enjoy his first game and it would be awesome for him to get a win under his belt early, against a good, competent Miami outfit.

Matt Judon

Oh boy, am I excited to see Judon gear up and get on the field tomorrow. In the small sample size of reps we saw in the preseason, Judon was full tilt and made light work of the opposition offensive fronts. Judon, a two-time Pro Bowler with Baltimore, is the FA signing of the season for me, I think that will show as much in the first half of the schedule.

Expect to see him mainly in the pass-rush attack along with Josh Uche, which could be a scary tandem this year, especially if Barmore can get going in the interior.

J.C. Jackson

With Stephon Gilmore out for at least the first six games, J.C. Jackson will be at the top of the depth chart as starting cornerback. Jackson is coming off a monster nine-interception season in 2020 and needs to keep that juice flowing, starting tomorrow against Miami.

If the pass-rush can give Tua trouble, he has shown the tendency to throw balls into traffic, and with Jackson being the ball-hawk he is, expect him to be busy. Jackson could well convince the team to give him a big extension this year with his performances in the opening portion of the season.

Damien Harris

With Sony Michel traded to the Rams earlier in the offseason, the time has come for Damien Harris. Harris got limited reps in the preseason as a starter, which led to good opportunities for both Rhamondre Stevenson and J.J. Taylor to cement their place in the depth chart.

I feel good about the offensive line this year and I can’t wait to see Harris get his wheels turning, he could be in for a big year. Not to mention, if the running game gets going nicely, it should help the passing attack open up more, which could be a big boost for Mac and the receivers.

Jakobi Meyers

Imagine a couple of years ago someone telling you that UDFA Jakobi Meyers would be the top receiver for the Patriots, some journey huh? But it’s true! Meyers has had an extraordinary rise to the top of the depth chart following a good performance last year, that carried through to training camp.

Meyers will be Mac’s safety blanket of the group, which will give him great options over the middle out of the slot, I think he’ll lead the team for catches this year.

Dolphin Danger

Who for Miami could prevent the fish from being squished this Sunday…

Tua Tagovailoa

Tua should be itching to get a big win away from home this weekend, and the Patriots have to disrupt him early. Following a topsy-turvy rookie season, which saw him swap the starting job with Ryan Fitzpatrick throughout the season, but now, Tua is the starter, and if he gets time to pass, he could cause problems for the Patriots secondary.

Xavien Howard

Miami has some dangerous assets that could cause issues for the Patriots, none more so than Xavien Howard who led the league in interceptions last year, he will be looking to ruin Mac Jones’ debut.

Jaylen Waddle

The sixth-overall pick in the draft will also be looking to make a statement on Sunday in his professional debut, his raw speed and explosiveness could be a difference-maker, with Waddle expected to take return duties for the team also.

Mike Gesicki 

Gesicki is a solid tight end who has the ability to find the end zone regularly for the Dolphins. He should be a safety-blanket option for Tua if he gets time to pass, a good receiver who gets open in the red zone.

Patriots Fantasy Starter

Damien Harris

As I’m not sure how else the entire offense will look, I think it’s a safe bet to back Damien Harris for some good points across both regular and PPR fantasy this weekend. Harris will lead the backfield for the Patriots, who showed in preseason some early signs of what they can do in the run game.

Look out for multiple Patriots Fantasy options in future weeks, but for this week, I’m playing it safe.

Prediction Corner

@ShawMellors – Patriots 24 – 16 Dolphins

A close game to begin with, which opens up in the second half, I see the Patriots holding serve at home and Mac Jones leading the team to his first professional win. Pats 24 Fins 16.

@clazzyclare – Patriots 22 – 18 Dolphins

I think it may be a bit of a messy game for both sides with the rookies at QB, but Mac’s intellect will prevail and the defense will contain the Fins. Pats 22 Fins 18.