It’s too early to panic for the Phins, especially after an encouraging showing on the defensive side of the ball a week ago in the Great Northwest. But a blowout loss, or a loss in general, could have some shaking their heads at Miami. Things get easier for them next week as they have their home opener awaiting against the lowly Browns, but for now, the main attention has to be New England.
The Patriots, in shocking fashion to some, went into Arizona and beat what many consider a Super Bowl caliber team. Doing so without their future Hall of Famer quarterback in Tom Brady and perhaps another future Hall of Famer in tight end Rob Gronkowski. It’s New England’s home opener, which means the Pats will probably win, at least according to history. The Patriots haven’t lost a home opener in 15 years. Their last home opener loss was against the Jets back in 2001, where they lost 10-3.
Don’t expect a 10-3 game here today. There will be points for both teams. Miami must get into some sort of offensive groove early in today’s game. It’ll be tough as New England’s defense features a top five secondary and a stout run-stuffing bunch up front. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is 3-5 versus the Pats all time but is 0-4 in games at Gillette Stadium. In those four games, he’s thrown seven interceptions to just three touchdown passes. Nonetheless, Miami will try hard to establish a ground game early, but without their premier center Mike Pouncey, it won’t be easy.
Here are your inactives for Dolphins and Patriots.
Today's inactives: pic.twitter.com/QOl8JGEzVC
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 18, 2016
#Patriots inactives. #MIAvsNE pic.twitter.com/5AoEE0SCBy
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 18, 2016
The game will be on CBS at 1 p.m., with the Patriots hoping to run their record to 2-0 on the young season.