New England Patriots: The biggest X-factor vs Miami Dolphins in Week 1

New England Patriots starting quarterback Mac Jones will frustrate the Dolphins

Mac Jones his uncanny decision-making and pinpoint passing will have the Dolphins throwing their hands in the air on Sunday wondering, “How is this happening!?”. He’s a rookie!

They have seldom seen a quarterback with the accuracy of Mac Jones. That accuracy will likely be utilized in a short-passing game complementing the Patriots’ terrific running game.

New England Patriots

Probably the best ever in accuracy (67.7 percent career and over 70 percent his last five years), Drew Brees commented about Jones recently as cited by YARDBARKER.

Here are excerpts:

"“So as I was watching the draft, the minute the Patriots took Mac Jones at 15th, I said, that’s the steal of the draft,” Brees said. “It’s probably the guy who is most ready to play NFL quarterback right now, of all the guys who were taken before… Brees continued: “This guy’s level of execution, his understanding of offensive football, his timing, his rhythm, his ability not only to make the routine throws, but to make throws that you’re going to need to make at the next level in order to win games and take care of the football the way he did, I felt like he was the most NFL ready…”"

Brees should know. Mac Jones will begin his career by completing probably a paltry 68 percent or so of his passes against Miami. But don’t be shocked if it’s 70+ percent. It’s just what he does.

After all, he’ll be with the first-team offensive line, a top-five in the NFL, and not playing with backups and practice squad players. We haven’t seen much at all of that yet.

So, there will be no need to take four sacks protecting the ball Sunday as he did in one preseason game. Though, if necessary, Jones will. Ball protection, you know.

He’ll also have the first-team offensive skill players, some of whom may actually be able to catch a perfectly thrown ball. The receivers he threw to in the preseason couldn’t much too often.

These top players include Jonnu Smith, a really good tight end, and he may even have Hunter Henry, another top tight end, back from injury. Who knows. Surprise!

He’ll also have legitimate wide receivers in Jakobi Meyers (won me over for certain) and Kendrick Bourne (the hands are there) to throw to who likely won’t drop perfect passes.

Then there is Nelson Agholor, who hopefully will live up to his contract and deliver the goods by catching some long-gainers from Mr. Jones.

And, of course, Jones will have a stable of running backs to work with who can run the ball extremely well.

But get this, all of them can catch it nicely thank you out of the backfield, as well. As a group, it’s the best backfield in the NFL.

So to sum up, if I didn’t know better I’d deduce that all of this is a prescription for success. And it most certainly will be as the Phish will learn to their dismay.

That is why Mac Jones is the biggest X-factor Sunday and why the Patriots will sweep away the Phish from Gillette in his pro debut.

I’m ready to eat crow if it doesn’t happen. I’ve done it before, a bit tough tastes like chicken. Yet, alternatively, I think it will be turkey with all the fixings Sunday night late.

What do you think? C & C would like to hear your thoughts on all this. But one thing is certain, football is back, and ain’t it grand!