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The New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins kick off their 2021 seasons in a Week 1 AFC East divisional duel that could have massive playoff implications as a tiebreaker. Check out our full preview of this highly anticipated matchup below.
See how the Patriots and Dolphins stack up in our latest NFL power rankings
How strange that Mac Jones is making his official NFL debut against his predecessor at Alabama, Dolphins second-year QB Tua Tagovailoa. The latter has the edge in experience, but Jones has the chops to be an instant NFL success.
Jones clearly beat out Cam Newton for the Patriots’ starting job in training camp and in the preseason. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick certainly isn’t afraid of being bold, and Jones’ rise is at least somewhat reminiscent of his decision many moons ago to start the young Tom Brady over veteran Drew Bledsoe.
Advantage: New England Patriots
Will the Patriots or Dolphins make it to the postseason? Read our NFL playoff predictions now
It’s well-documented that Belichick’s former assistants often flop when they venture beyond Foxborough. Brian Flores is an exception to that general rule.
Flores has flourished since taking over the Dolphins program, and now has them with an elite defense and a radically shifted culture. He’s clearly adopting some “Patriot Way” principles espoused by Belichick, yet is doing his own thing and being an authentic leader. Everyone in Miami is buying in.
Advantage: New England Patriots
A kicker matchup? Yes, that’s correct. This should be a tightly contested affair that may boil down to execution on field goal attempts.
How confident is Miami in its kicker? Well, the Dolphins signed Sanders to a contract extension through 2026. That’s quite a ringing endorsement. Nordin missed three short kicks in a preseason game, but still managed to beat out veteran Nick Folk for the Patriots kicking gig.
Advantage: Miami Dolphins
The bottom line: Despite this being Jones’ NFL debut against one of the league’s most formidable defenses, this is where the inside knowledge Belichick has of what Flores likes to do works to New England’s advantage. Combine that with a home-field edge, and the Pats should narrowly avoid a home upset.