MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Just after Miami’s protection gave up 234 yards dashing versus the Los Angeles Chargers in 7 days 1, coordinator Vic Fangio stated his unit was excellent sufficient to get a significant-scoring contest, but “not very good sufficient to acquire a whole lot of video games.”
The Dolphins turned it close to in 7 days 2 at New England, restricting the Patriots to 88 yards speeding and stopping them on a late drive that could have tied or won the recreation.
“When you give up 34 factors it’s a horrible experience,” linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel stated following Sunday night’s 24-17 get. “Obviously the Chargers have a superior offense, but it remaining a sour flavor in our mouths. And we definitely came out with a thing to verify tonight.”
Miami (2-) won its opener many thanks to its substantial-powered offense led by Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill. Against a Patriots workforce that confined that connection — Hill experienced five catches for 40 yards — the Dolphins received with protection and a well balanced offense that showcased an successful run game.
Miami ran the ball 30 periods for 145 yards and experienced 30 pass tries for 249 yards, an technique that mentor Mike McDaniel mentioned was dictated by the Patriots’ defensive adjustments.
“I realized line-of-scrimmage engage in was likely to be important,” McDaniel mentioned, “but you have to form of enable the match play out and see what the defense is executing. If they are having a little something away, a thing else is susceptible, so you just form of have to have fairness in your match strategy.”
On defense, Van Ginkel moved from inside of to outside the house linebacker to replace Jaelan Phillips, who hurt his again in follow.
Van Ginkel had a person of Miami’s four sacks and a deal with for loss. The Dolphins made 8 tackles for decline, twice as several as they experienced towards the Chargers.
Nevertheless, the Dolphins had to hold on at the conclude. McDaniel said his group made some faults that must be effortless to suitable early in the time.
“I told the fellas in the locker place that they are likely to truly feel like it didn’t will need to be a nail-biter,” McDaniel said. “And that transpires a ton. You are privileged to get the acquire in that studying procedure of how to make positive that which is not the situation. But all round, on the highway, prime time, division opponent, those people are quite, very important online games to be ready to appear up with a gain.”
What is Doing work
Tagovailoa’s poise has been necessary. The Patriots experienced a few deep safeties on the subject early to check out and acquire away the deep passing activity, but he modified. Tagovailoa spread the ball to 8 different receivers. Jaylen Waddle had four catches for 86 yards.
According to NextGen Stats, Tagovailoa, who is recognized for his fast launch, averaged the fourth-swiftest time to toss (2.08 seconds) of any quarterback in a sport due to the fact 2020.
WHAT Requires Support
The quarterback-middle exchange amongst Tagovailoa and Connor Williams has been an problem dating to the preseason, and it expense Miami a likely third-down conversion in the fourth quarter with the team trying to secure a 7-place lead.
Tagovailoa said he was “changing up” pre-snap, which induced the miscommunication.
Inventory UP
Raheem Mostert experienced 121 yards dashing on 18 carries. The 31-yr-previous also had a pair of speeding TDs, his initially game with many speeding scores considering that the NFC championship game with San Francisco in the 2020 season.
Stock DOWN
Jason Sanders experienced a subject target blocked and missed a 55-garden attempt that gave New England just one final likelihood to win. Sanders was 2 of 6 on attempts of 50-additionally yards last year.
Injuries
Waddle is in the concussion protocol next a helmet-to-helmet strike from New England’s Marte Mapu. … LT Terron Armstead skipped his 2nd straight sport as he carries on working with ankle, back again and knee issues.
Essential Selection
21 — The quantity of many years due to the fact the Dolphins final started consecutive seasons 2-.
Upcoming Steps
Miami hosts Denver (-2) in its property opener on Sunday.
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