The New England Patriots got in the win column in Week 2 as they defeated the Miami Dolphins 33-27 in a back-and-forth battle.
Here is who caught our eye for better or worse upon live viewing.
Winners
QB Drake Maye: Sunday was perhaps Maye’s best game as a pro, as he finished with a 137.3 passer rating while generating +0.57 EPA per drop back (96th percentile). Maye was deadly downfield — with his best highlight being a dime to Rhamondre Stevenson on a wheel route after stepping up in the pocket — and was more
accurate and in rhythm underneath as he ended the day without a turnover worthy throw.
Maye also made Miami pay with his legs including a six-yard touchdown run as he got away from an unblocked Matthew Judon off the edge. While Mike Vrabel noted there is room for improvement with command and operation, that is a performance New England envisioned when they selected Maye third overall.
RB Antonio Gibson and RB Rhamondre Stevenson: While much of the attention this offseason was on rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson, New England’s veteran duo reminded everyone what they are capable of on Sunday.
Stevenson led the charge as he averaged 4.9 yards on 11 carries and caught all five of his targets for 88 yards — including the aforementioned 55-yard catch-and-run. He was a valuable security blanket and added a two-point conversation as well.
As for Gibson, the back averaged 5.4 yards on his five carries as the team totaled 122 rushing yards in a bounce back performance on the ground. Gibson’s main contribution came on special teams, however, as he had the play of the game with a 90-yard kick return touchdown to give New England the lead in the fourth quarter.
“I told you, we had to have those guys be a weapon for us,“ Vrabel said post game. ”Rhamondre answered and then Gibby answered.“
DT Milton Williams: It was difficult for New England’s pass rush to consistently get to Tua Tagovailoa on Sunday with the quarterback averaging 2.17 seconds to throw. That didn’t stop free agent addition Milton Williams from making an impact with five quarterback pressures and a pair of QB hits.
Williams then had the dagger, running a stunt with Harold Landry to get home for a game-sealing fourth-down sack.
Losers
CB Alex Austin: New England’s pass coverage as a whole struggled against Tagovailoa and the Dolphins receivers, but Austin was on scene for a 47-yarder downfield to Tyreek Hill and an 18-yard touchdown to Jaylen Waddle. The absence of Christian Gonzalez was felt on Sunday as the Patriots haven’t been able to run their full-on ‘cat coverage’ through two weeks.
LB Robert Spillane: Miami had no problems attacking Spillane in pass coverage as the linebacker was beaten easily by De’Von Achane for a long catch-and-run touchdown at the end of the first half. The captain also had several missed tackles after logging three whiffs in the opener.
K Andy Borregales: For the second straight week, it was an up-and-down performance from kicker Andy Borregales. Being back in his old college stadium, the rookie missed a pair of extra points before bouncing back with a 22- and 53-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter. Borregales followed up the long make with a kickoff short of the landing zone, however.
While Vrabel expressed confidence in the kicker after the game, New England could be on the lookout for competition down the line. Of note: Parker Romo, who spent the summer competing against Borregales, kicked for the Falcons Sunday night and went a perfect 5-for-5 with a long of 54 yards.
Penalties: As Vrabel said post game, the only thing that stopped the Patriots offensively on Sunday was themselves. In total, New England was flagged 15 times with 12 being accepted for 75 yards.
Offensively, offensive tackle Morgan Moses was called for three false starts while rookies Will Campbell (false start) and Jared Wilson (hold) were also penalized. Fellow rookie TreVeyon Henderson also had challenges in pass protection with a pair of holding calls before being flagged a third time on special teams.
Other performances of note
- Beyond the penalties, New England’s offensive line held up well in pass protection (including clean sheets for rookie Will Campbell and Jared Wilson). In total, Maye was pressured on just 19.4 percent of his drop backs — the first game of his career he faced a pressure rate under 20 percent.
- One other mishap on the offensive line: a bad snap from Garrett Bradbury, who otherwise was perfect again in pass pro.
- He only had one catch, but it was an impressive one-handed touchdown snag by Kayshon Boutte fighting through old friend Jack Jones.
- Mack Hollins’ lone reception also went for a score on a well-designed bootleg concept. Josh McDaniels continuing to get Maye on the move is a welcomed addition.
- With Boutte and Hollins leading the group and Stefon Diggs joining them in three receiver sets, DeMario Douglas saw just 15 snaps and was held to one catch.
- Free agent addition Harold Landry logged another sack on a big third-down late in the fourth quarter. K’Lavon Chaisson and Spillane also got to Tagovailoa.
- With the current coverage issues at linebacker, we’ll continue to push for more Marte Mapu, who recorded a fourth quarter interception.
- In addition to Gibson’s return, Borregales’ struggles, and three penalties the special teams operation remained shaky elsewhere. Bryce Baringer had a booming 71-yard punt from his own end zone but New England later allowed a 74-yard touchdown return with several missed tackles.
