New England quarterback Mac Jones turned the ball over twice, one that was returned for a touchdown on Sunday afternoon as the Miami Dolphins took a season opening 20-7 win over the Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium in South Florida.
After a good opening drive that started the game by New England, Jones was intercepted trying to get the ball to former Miami receiver Devante Parker. Xavien Howard got his hand on the ball near the goal line where it was tipped and intercepted by Jevon Holland in the endzone. The turnover led to a 43 yard field goal by Jason Sanders for a 3-0 Dolphins lead. About halfway through the second quarter, Jones was strip sacked on a second down play at his own 15 yard line. Brandon Jones forced it with the sack at the six, and Melvin Ingram was the beneficiary as he scooped up the loose ball and took it in for a touchdown from two yards away to make it 10-0. Miami stretched it out even further going on a 12 play, 95 yard drive before the break. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa connected with Jaylen Waddle on a fourth down and seven for a 42 yard pass and catch for a score with just 24 seconds left in the first half, as the hosts led 17-0.
New England finally got on the scoreboard in the third quarter for the only time on the day, going 82 yards in 18 plays. That culminated in a Jones to Ty Montgomery six yard scoring pass. The Patriots never got close to the endzone after that, and Miami finished off the scoring with a 49 yard field goal by Sanders late in the third. The Dolphins have now beaten New England four straight times dating back to 2020. It was the first victory for new head coach Mike McDaniel, who previously was a offensive coordinator in San Francisco.
Jones finished 21-30 passing for 213 yards with one touchdown and one interception, and was also sacked twice. Damien Harris rushed nine times for 48 yards, and Jacobi Meyers led the receiving core with four catches for 55 yards. Devin McCourty had six total tackles to lead the defense, while Ja’Whaun Bentley, Matt Judon, and Deatrich Wise had one sack a piece. Tagovailoa was 23-33 passing for 270 yards and a touchdown in the win for Miami. Tyreek Hill had eight catches for 94 yards, while Waddle had the one touchdown and had four grabs for 69 yards. Jones had six tackles and a sack along with the forced fumble. Tagovailoa is undefeated (4-0) in his career against the Patriots and head coach Bill Belichik, something no other opposing quarterback has done in four or more starts since Belichik became coach in Foxborough in 2000. Mac Jones was seen heading to get x-rays on his back after the game, and those were negative. Jones apparently suffered from back spasms during the loss, and his status is unknown for week two. New England will look to get into the win column when they head to Pittsburgh to battle the Steelers next Sunday. Pittsburgh went to Cincinnati and knocked off the defending AFC Champion Bengals 23-20 in overtime on Sunday.
