Miami Dolphins: 10 observations from Week 1 vs. Patriots

Miami Dolphins Week 1 Observations

7. Xavien Howard bails the team out…again

Last season, the Dolphins’ Week 1 victory was sealed by Xavien Howard and his late-game forced fumble, and he had a big hand in boosting Miami to another opening day win in 2022.

The Dolphins’ defense looked leaky to open the contest, as the Patriots drove down the field easily on their first drive. But the momentum of the game was changed when New England quarterback Mac Jones floated a ball to DeVante Parker in the end zone, which ended up being batted away by Howard, and then intercepted by Jevon Holland.

The Dolphins wound up kicking a field goal on the ensuing possession, making Howard’s play an ultimate 10-point swing.

8. Adam Archuleta is a hater

Both of the CBS announcers that were calling the game seemed to have it out for the Dolphins, but it seemed that color commentator Adam Archuleta had a particularly specific vendetta. His criticisms of and questions about Tagovailoa were made clear on nearly every Dolphins’ possession, and he was mostly negative about Miami and their upcoming season throughout the broadcast. Perhaps it is something that we should get used to going forward this year.

When do we get Ian Eagle to do a Dolphins broadcast?