Final, Dolphins 33-20: That’s all she wrote on this one. The Patriots showed life in the first half but completely crumbled after coming out of the locker room in the second half. They’ll need to make major adjustments offensively and defensively going into Minnesota in Week 2. Brady seemed off in the second half. It’s possible his calf was bothering him, especially after all the hits he took all game.
Fourth quarter, 2:29, Dolphins 33-20: The Patriots successfully held the Dolphins to a field goal, but it might be too little, too late. The Patriots have the ball back at their own 41-yard line.
Fourth quarter, 3:29, Dolphins 30-20: The Patriots’ defense failed in every aspect of that drive. They allowed the Dolphins’ offense to stay on the field for six minutes and gave up a touchdown. The Patriots’ offense will have a tough time scoring twice in three and a half minutes.
Fourth quarter, 9:30, Dolphins 23-20: The Patriots’ offense is having a very tough time clicking in the second half, and Gronkowski is barely seeing the field.
The Patriots were able to gain some yards on a screen to Julian Edelman, but LaFell was called for pass interference on a crushing screen. Brady missed Edelman on third down to end the drive.
Fourth quarter, 11:02, Dolphins 23-20: Luckily for the Patriots, this quarter is dragging. The Patriots were stout on defense, and Jerod Mayo recorded the Patriots’ first sack of the game.
Fourth quarter, 12:35, Dolphins 23-20: The results were fine, but punter Ryan Allen sent another wobbler down the field with little hang time. The Dolphins have the ball at their own 11-yard line.
They’ll need another quick stop to get the ball back and get into rhythm on offense.
Fourth quarter, 14:12, Dolphins 23-20: The Patriots forced a very necessary three-and-out. Charles Clay dropped a pass, Lamar Miller fumbled and Tannehill couldn’t hit Clay on a crossing route.
Edelman muffed the punt return but recovered, and the Patriots have the ball at their own 32.
End third quarter, Dolphins 23-20: The Patriots are running out of time to get back on track in this game.
Facing third-and-29, the ran a draw with Shane Vereen to pick up 9 yards just to get out of the end zone.
Sebastian Vollmer went down on the previous play, a sack allowed by right guard Jordan Devey. If Vollmer’s injury is serious, this could be a very ugly year for the offensive line.
Third quarter, 2:42, Dolphins 23-20: The Dolphins are leaving a bunch of plays on the board. Lamar Miller ran in for a touchdown, but it was called back on holding by right tackle JaWuan James. The Dolphins had to settle for a field goal and now lead by three.
The Patriots’ front seven has been a sieve in the second half, allowing far too many rushing yards up the middle.
Third quarter, 6:55, Patriots 20-20: The Dolphins are right back in this game. The Patriots had a tendency to give up leads in the second half last year, and they’re back at it now.
Revis gave up the touchdown to Wallace. He made contact with the ball, but Wallace was still able to pull it in.
Third quarter, 8:59, Patriots 20-13: Tom Brady just got strip sacked by Cameron Wake, and the Dolphins have great field possession, with the ball on the Patriots’ 34-yard line.
Wake beat Hooman and Ridley for the sack.
Third quarter, 10:46, Patriots 20-13: The Patriots lucked out and allowed a field goal, not a touchdown deep in the red zone. Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill completed a pass in the flat to Lamar Miller, and the running back fell backwards on his way into the end zone. A better throw by Tannehill would have resulted in a touchdown.
Patriots edge rusher Chandler Jones was called for a personal foul after hitting Tannehill near his throat on an incomplete pass. Jones was pleading his case to no avail.
End half, Patriots 20-10: The Patriots drove down the field, but couldn’t get into the end zone before the half. Edelman continues to shine. He has six receptions for 95 yards and leads the team in rushing with 21 yards. Brady has looked like his usual self despite a calf injury, completing 19-of-29 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown to Gronkowski.
This Miami crowd has been unimpressive. The upper deck has plenty of empty seats, and they’ve been shockingly quiet most of the game.
Second quarter, 1:59, Patriots 17-10: Darrelle Revis has made his presence known. The cornerback deflected a pass intended for Mike Wallace in the end zone on third down, ending the Dolphins’ drive. Earlier, he was burned by Wallace on a pass to the end zone, but the wideout couldn’t keep his feet in bounds.
Rob Ninkovich got some nice pressure on a pass intended for Brian Hartline. Malcolm Butler might have made some early contact on the pass breakup, but he wasn’t charged with a penalty.
Dont’a Hightower continues to impress as a pass rusher. He was charged with a late hit, but it looked pretty ticky-tack.
Second quarter, 6:24, Patriots 17-7: Well, that was quick. The Patriots went three-and-out and got off a successful punt. The Dolphins have the ball at their own 25-yard line.
Second quarter, 7:12, Patriots 17-7: The Patriots’ defense continues to be physical. Dont’a Hightower blew up his blocker, Charles Clay, on a pass rush, knocking the tight end back about five yards.
On the next play, Logan Ryan hit Lamar Miller, knocked his shoe about 30 feet in the air and causing a fumble. Darrelle Revis recovered.
Second quarter, 8:37, Patriots 17-7: The first Gronk spike of the year got some impressive height.
The big 6-foot-6 Patriots tight end scored his first touchdown of the year on a 5-yard pass from Brady. Gronk was being covered (unsuccessfully) by Brent Grimes.
The most impressive play of the drive came on a 44-yard completion from Brady to Edelman, who continues to shine. Edelman has emerged as one of the league’s premier receivers, and he’s the only constant offensive skill position player for the Patriots so far in this game.
Second quarter, 12:56, Patriots 10-7: The Patriots’ young defenders continue to force turnovers. Linebacker Dont’a Hightower brought the heat from the middle of the field, forcing Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill to throw into coverage. Cornerback Alfonzo Dennard leapt up and snatched the ball out of the air. The Patriots have the ball at their own 6-yard line.
End first quarter, Patriots 10-7: The Patriots lead after one quarter, but they’re not making it look easy.
The Dolphins have the ball on the Patriots’ 47-yard line after a long completion to Mike Wallace.
Dominique Easley is seeing his first snaps at defensive end for the Patriots. The rookie didn’t play during the preseason.
First quarter, 1:23, Patriots 10-7: The Patriots weren’t able to fully capitalize on great field position after the Collins forced fumble. Stephen Gostkowski knocked through a 47-yard field goal to make it 10-7.
Ryan Wendell saw snaps at center with Connolly moving to right guard and Devey coming off the field during that drive. Wendell was flagged for a facemask.
First quarter, 3:33, 7-7: Jamie Collins has already made a huge impact. The second-year pro forced a Mike Wallace fumble on the Dolphins’ drive. Linebacker Jerod Mayo recovered it.
Kyle Arrington had a huge hit on a kick return after the Patriots scored. This is a new physical Patriots team.
Oddly, Ninkovich has been coming out of the game in sub packages, and Dont’a Hightower has stayed in the game. Arrington is the nickel defensive back.
First quarter, 5:10, 7-7: The Patriots responded to the Dolphins’ score quickly — very quickly. The Patriots marched down the field, switched up alignments and wouldn’t allow the Dolphins to get comfortable.
It would be impossible to track all of the Patriots’ combinations of skill players. We saw Julian Edelman, Tim Wright, Danny Amendola, Gronk, Kenbrell Thompkins, Shane Vereen, Brandon Bolden, Stevan Ridley, Michael Hoomanawanui and James Develin all take the field. It was impressive watching Brady carve through the Miami defense.
The Patriots scored on a two-yard run by Shane Vereen.
The Patriots showed a new wrinkle during that drive, using Edelman twice on running plays. Edelman was heavily involved, gaining 44 of the Patriots’ 80 yards.
First quarter, 11:46, Dolphins 7-0: The blown special teams play resulted in a Dolphins touchdown. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill completed a short touchdown pass to running back Lamar Miller with Rob Ninkovich in coverage.
First quarter, 13:45: Rob Gronkowski didn’t start, but he came into the game on third down, and Brady tried to force him the ball. The pass was incomplete and the Patriots went to punt.
Punter Ryan Allen’s punt was blocked and the Dolphins have the ball at the Patriots’ 15-yard line. Danny Aiken’s long snap was low and Allen bobbled the ball.
Stevan Ridley, James Develin, Michael Hoomanawanui, Kenbrell Thompkins, Julian Edelman, Brady, Solder, Cannon, Connolly, Devey and Vollmer made up the starting offense.
First quarter, 15:00: The Patriots called heads, the coin came up tails, and New England will receive.
12:27 p.m.: Here’s the Patriots’ starting defense, based on pregame warmups:
DE: Chandler Jones
NT: Vince Wilfork
DE: Joe Vellano
OLB: Dont’a Hightower
ILB: Jerod Mayo
ILB: Jamie Collins
OLB: Rob Ninkovich
CB: Darrelle Revis
CB: Alfonzo Dennard
S: Devin McCourty
S: Patrick Chung
12:24 p.m.: The starting offensive line appears to be Solder, Cannon, Connolly, Devey and Vollmer, as I predicted. Chung appears to be starting at safety next to Devin McCourty with Alfonzo Dennard starting opposite Revis at cornerback.
12:18 p.m.: Rob Gronkowski is wearing a padded sleeve on his left arm and a brace on his right knee. Brady definitely has a brace of some sort on his left calf.
Patrick Chung, Matthew Slater and Shane Vereen took kick return reps.
11:53 a.m.: Dobson being inactive comes as a bit of a surprise, but carrying five WRs on the 46-man roster is one too many. Dobson missed all of OTAs, minicamp and training camp, and he’s probably more behind than Kenbrell Thompkins and Brandon LaFell.
Fleming was a surprise inactive, as well. That leaves Chris White as the long reserve linebacker, though Dont’a Hightower, who is expected to start at outside linebacker, could slide inside if the Patriots suffer an injury. Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich both can play outside linebacker, if the Patriots run a 3-4. If they run a 4-3, Ninkovich could slide up to strong-side linebacker.
The Patriots will be in nickel and dime for the majority of defensive snaps, which requires just one or two linebackers.
Brandon Bolden will be the team’s No. 3 running back with White out. One of Cameron Fleming, Jordan Devey and Ryan Wendell will draw the start on the offensive line next to Nate Solder, Marcus Cannon, Sebastian Vollmer and Dan Connolly with Stork and Kline out.
11:43 a.m.: Here’s a blurry picture of Tom Brady and his bulky calf.
[tweet https://twitter.com/DougKyedNESN/status/508639550881947648 align=’center’]
11:38 a.m.: The Patriots’ inactive are in. Linebacker Darius Fleming, center Bryan Stork, wide receiver Aaron Dobson, defensive tackle Chris Jones, running back James White, guard Josh Kline and Michael Buchanan won’t suit up for the Patriots.
10:39 a.m.: Rookies running back James White, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and cornerback Malcolm Butler were the first on the field for the Patriots. Guards Josh Kline and Jordan Devey eventually joined them for some pregame warmups.
10:10 a.m. ET: We’re three hours away from kickoff, and fans are just filtering into Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski are expected to play despite being listed as questionable for Week 1’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
Gronkowski isn’t expected to see a full slate of action, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him out on the field for about half the Patriots’ offensive snaps. Brady, obviously, is expected to play the full game.
There are still many unknowns surrounding this Patriots team, including which players will start on the offensive line, at “X” wide receiver, No. 2 cornerback and strong safety. We also have yet to see how the Patriots will align their front seven with everyone healthy.
If I had to take a stab at the offensive line, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a rotation of players, but I’ll say that Nate Solder will start at left tackle, Marcus Cannon at left guard, Dan Connolly at center, Jordan Devey at right guard and Sebastian Vollmer at his usual right tackle position. Josh Kline and Ryan Wendell also could see snaps.
I expect Brandon LaFell to start next to Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola at wide receiver, though Kenbrell Thompkins and Aaron Dobson should see a high number of reps, as well. Alfonzo Dennard, Logan Ryan or Malcolm Butler could start opposite Darrelle Revis at cornerback. Butler received most of the snaps in preseason, but he’s an undrafted rookie out of West Alabama. Kyle Arrington should be the team’s starting nickel cornerback.
The Patriots also might mix up the rotation at strong safety. Duron Harmon, Patrick Chung, Arrington, Ryan or Dennard could see time at the position depending on the Dolphins’ offensive personnel.
My best guess for a starting front seven is Chandler Jones and Vince Wilfork at defensive end, Sealver Siliga at nose tackle, Dont’a Hightower and Rob Ninkovich at outside linebacker and Jamie Collins and Jerod Mayo on the inside. They also could bump Hightower for Jones and put Joe Vellano on the starting defensive line. Rookie Dominique Easley should see his first action on nickel and sub-package snaps.
Recording artist Pink just took the field for some pregame warmups. It seems that she’ll perform prior to the Patriots-Dolphins matchup. This is my first time here at Sun Life Stadium and I’m constantly tempted to call it Joe Robbie Stadium, since that’s what it was called when I was growing up. The view is a little closer here for the media than the press box at Gillette Stadium.
Stay here for updates and analysis throughout the game.
