Week two in the National Football League was different for the Miami Dolphins, with the same results.
The Dolphins’ rush defense allowed only 30 yards in the first half against the New England Patriots; in contrast, the Dolphins allowed 233 rushing yards in week one.
But it is a game of inches.
Trailing 24-17, the Patriots appeared to keep their hopes alive by converting a miraculous fourth-and-4 on the Dolphins 33. Mac Jones completed a pass to Mike Gesicki short of the first down marker, but the tight end spun and flipped the ball to left guard Cole Strange, who lunged forward. After review, he was short.
Dolphins open the season with two road games, making them 2-0 after a 24-17 win over the Patriots.
The Dolphins running game, led by Raheem Mostert, who had a pair of TD runs, including a 43-yard scramble in the fourth quarter, was the factor on offense compared to week one and the passing game.
“Give the offensive line credit; we came in with a game plan, and we executed it,” Mostert said. “You have to get better; we are going to watch the tape tomorrow, and then we are going to improve.”
The 31-year-old Mostert finished with 18 carries, 121 yards, two touchdowns.
Tua Tagovailoa kept a step from week one. He finished 21 of 30 for 249 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Tagovailoa’s 715 passing yards in the season’s first two weeks lead the NFL.
“It was a collective game that was won on both sides of the ball,” Tagovailoa said. “Defense got turnovers; some of them we could not capitalize, but when we were able to, we put points on the board.”
With the victory, Tagovailoa improved to 5-0 against New England head coach Bill Belichick. He is the first to win five straight starts versus the Patriots during the Belichick era.
“Not much to say after that one,” Belichick stated. “Touch loss, you have to learn from it. Keep working harder and move on.”
New England dropped to 0-2 for the first time since 2001, Belichick’s second season as coach.
Defensively, Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard grabbed an underthrown pass from patriots quarterback Mac Jones that was intended for DeVante Parker inside the 5.
Andrew Van Ginkel was lights out for the Dolphins with seven tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss, and three quarterback hits.
It is huge to start the season with two big wins on the road. The Dolphins won this game by running the football led by Mostert.
Mostert, at 31 years of age, is still explosive and fast. The Dolphins’ offensive line was fantastic, opening huge holes and controlling the line of scrimmage. As much praise as we gave the passing attack in week one, week two was the running game.
The Dolphins’ offense has produced 924 total yards through the first two games. It is the most in team history.
“It is still early to say what we are as a team; we are still trying to find our identity offensively, defensively, and collectively,” Tagovailoa said. “We will continue to watch the film and build off of it.”
Jaylen Waddle added four catches for 86 yards before leaving in the fourth quarter following a hit by Marte Mapu to be evaluated for a concussion.
Belichick viewed what the Dolphins did in week one versus the Los Angeles Chargers. He decided to do anything possible to take away the passing game. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel adjusted by running the football and effectively countering the Patriots’ defense. Credit to His play calling, the offensive line, Mostert and the Dolphins defense.
What a turnaround for the Dolphins defense. The Chargers ran all over the Dolphins in week one this week; the Dolphins defense did a fantastic job against the Patriots’ running game.
Tagovailoa has been nothing less than sensational. Accurate, efficient, and getting the ball to playmakers, he has been everything the Dolphins could have hoped for. He is playing like a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback at the moment. The offensive line has done a fantastic job protecting him. He has barely been sacked and hit after two games. The Patriots covered Tyreek Hill well; Tagovailoa was terrific in spreading the ball around with the help of the ground game.
Week three is the Dolphins’ home opener, hosting the Denver Broncos, who are 0-2 after narrow defeats. They are playing better under new head coach Sean Payton. Russell Wilson is playing better in his second season as the Broncos quarterback, but expect the Dolphins to be favored.
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