Patriots Week 1 roadmap to the Miami Dolphins: The Mac era begins
Coming off a 7-9 record and third place finish in the AFC East, the New England Patriots have reloaded on both sides of the ball after spending big in free agency and drafting their quarterback of the future in the No. 15 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Mac Jones.
To further the shakeup prior to the 2021 NFL season, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick decided the future is now by naming Jones the starter over veteran quarterback Cam Newton who was surprisingly released after the decision was made.
In all, the naming of Jones as the team’s quarterback has elevated a level of excitement around New England. Not only are fans excited about what Jones brings to the table, current and former players have expressed both their admiration and confidence in the Alabama product who is stepping into a situation where he has a pretty good team surrounding him.
Led by the additions of tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, the offense will be much improved from 2020 with a great offensive line and a talented running back group led by Damien Harris and 2021 fourth-round pick Rhamondre Stevenson.
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On the defensive side, Belichick has some reinforcements returning in Dont’a Hightower and Kyle Van Noy to go along with the addition of prize free agent Matt Judon. The defense is expected to be one of the top defenses in the league and both sides of the ball will face a challenge right away in their AFC East rivals, the Miami Dolphins.
Last matchup: Miami Dolphins 22, New England Patriots 12
The two teams split a season ago with the New England Patriots winning the first matchup and the Dolphins taking care of business in the team’s last matchup down in Miami.
In the Week 15 matchup Dolphins really exposed the Patriots rush defense in that game as running backs Salvon Ahmed and Matt Breida combined for 2018 rushing yards.
Tua Tagovailoa in his first matchup against the defensive mind of Bill Belichick, went 20 of 26 for 145 yards and a touchdown. Cam Newton went 17 of 27 for 209 yards with Jakobi Meyers as the game’s top receiver with 111 yards receiving. The Patriots were just a field goal away from tying the game until Tagovailoa took it in for a game-clenching touchdown with 3:17 left in the game, which essentially ended any hope the Patriots had of making the playoffs.
This season, both teams are improved and led by former Alabama quarterbacks as Tagovailoa and Mac Jones are set for a much-anticipated showdown to start the 2021 NFL season.
What to expect?
Well, Belichick knows the Dolphins present a challenge for his revamped and refocused football team.