Pats Pulpit
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.
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.
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:...
