(Above Image Source: Aqua Thirteen)
When: Sunday, Sept. 12th, 4:25 PM EST
Where: Gillette Stadium (Boston, MA)
How to Watch: CBS (check your local listings)
Former Alabama Crimson Tide teammates collide when Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins face Mac Jones and the New England Patriots this Sunday in an AFC East showdown. Here’s a look at what to expect:
From Teammates to Opponents: Tua vs. Mac
Both starting quarterbacks entered Alabama together back in 2017. Both worked themselves and played their hearts out towards becoming part of their respective, national championship teams. Now they both enter the NFL field against each other for the first time ever.
Tagovailoa enters his second season with the Dolphins with expectations to be fulfilled. He debuted in week 6 of last year’s season during the second half of their game versus the New York Jets. He would officially be the starting quarterback two weeks later against the Los Angeles Rams. Last season, he clocked in 1,814 yards, 11 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
Tagovailoa missed his first chance against the Pats while recovering from last season from hip surgery but made the second one. That chance lead the Dolphins to a 22-12 victory. He would become the first rookie quarterback since 2013 and the sixth rookie of all time to defeat Belichick.
Jones will look to make a statement in his NFL regular-season debut after showing his talent during the preseason and shockingly replaced Cam Newton as starting quarterback. Back in college, he observed and learned from the sidelines when Tagovailoa and Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts were the starters.
New Season Means New Roster Line-Ups
Miami missed the playoffs again, but they managed to gain a newfound sense of confidence after putting Tagovailoa as starting quarterback. He will have a new group of people by his side including his other Alabama teammate Jaylen Waddle. Tight end Mike Gesicki will also return to the offensive line.
New England will have a revamped defense that consists of now-former Dolphins tackle Davon Godchaux and linebacker Kyle Van Noy. Another former Dolphin, Malcolm Perry, also joins the Pats on the offensive line to give Jones some help.
Restarting a Rivalry?
The rivalry between has been on-and-off with the Patriots almost constantly dominating the Dolphins. The majority of the domination came during Tom Brady’s time in the Patriots. Since he left, this would have given the Dolphins an opportunity to return the favor, but it hasn’t worked out.
Tagovailoa, Jones, and the new members of each roster may have a chance to spark up something new between the rivals. These two men have known and studied each other enough to pave their own way towards college football stardom. Now both will have to take their experiences from college and put it all on the field where both will try to outthrow and outplay one another. Best of all, they will have the opportunity to do it to each other twice this season.
Two other men who are also now on opposite sides of the field are twins Jason and Devin McCourty. Both of them have been teammates in the Patriots since 2018, and they managed to achieve their dream of winning the Super Bowl there. That run would end when Jason signed with the Dolphins during free agency.
Other than that, neither team nor the head coaches have any interest in reminiscing old memories. All there is now is buried nostalgia and new beginnings.
My Prediction
Tagovailoa has the potential to be the next big quarterback for the Miami Dolphins. However, he still has a long way to go before he gets there. Right now, he is going to need a lot to get him through this first game. He will need to give a lot of the receiving to Waddle and Gesicki, and he and the offense must have all the preparation for the new and improved Patriots defense.
Rookies who compete under Bill Belichick have all won their first game. That is a record and reputation he tends to uphold once Jones makes his start. The Pats have also won the past 11 of 12 meetings with Miami. The team may be rebuilding itself, but many of us know that Belichick is the kind of head coach who won’t accept any kind of loss, let alone week 1 losses.
Based on past experience, the Dolphins win few games but the Pats always win the rest. Both teams will deliver however they can, but it only makes logical sense to go for the nature of dominance that lies within the New England Patriots.
