The New England Patriots improved to 2-0 after a 43-0 drubbing of the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Here are the grades for the Patriots offense.
Quarterback
Tom Brady was as sharp as ever, completing his first eight passes and throwing two touchdowns and rushing for a score himself, in finishing 20-for-28 and 264 yards.
Brady’s ability to up the play of his teammates, as well as rapport-building, was at the forefront in the first half. Brady and Antonio Brown connected on their first few attempts before eventually hooking up for a score in the second quarter.
“I didn’t think about it,” Brady said after the game. “I was just trying to throw to the open guy.”
Brady was crisp and concise in his medium-range throws, which was apparent from the start when he hit Brown from the slot for an 18-yard gain.
With the exception of a missed touchdown opportunity when he under threw Brown in the end zone, Brady was as smooth as ever in his usual house of horrors.
Grade: A-
Running Back
Attempting to establish the run early, New England finished with 126 rushing yards, with most coming from bell cow back Sony Michel.
Michel improved upon last week’s rough performance to run for 85 yards and a score on 21 carries, while Rex Burkhead and James White combined for 66 yards and a White receiving touchdown through the air.
New England’s ability to change their game plan to match their opponent often relies heavily on this group.
Grade: A-
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Brown’s much-talked-about Patriots premiere was a smashing success mixed with just a hint of miscommunication between the star receiver and Brady.
The former Pittsburgh Steeler (and Oakland Raider) finished with four catches for 56 yards and a score on eight targets.
Brady and Brown are still working to get on the same page, as evident by Brady’s miss in the end zone that would have resulted in the duo’s second touchdown of the day. Brown beat former Patriot Eric Rowe off the line in embarrassingly fashion, only for Brady to hit Rowe in the back on a short throw. If Brown is available to play for the rest of the season, the two should quickly adjust to each other. Considering Brady threw his first three passes to Brown, it seems as if a few days of practice already jumpstarted the process.
Josh Gordon reeled in just two catches but Julian Edelman combined for 90 yards. Dorsett made perhaps the offensive play of the game on a diving catch on an out route for a 3rd-and-17 conversion.
With heavy attention on Brown and the receivers, Matt LaCosse hauled in two catches for 33 yards.
Grade: A-
Offensive Line
The Patriots were already without starting tackle Marcus Cannon going into the game, and then they lost left tackle Isaiah Wynn, leaving new additions Marshall Newhouse and Korey Cunningham to take over.
The interior of the offensive line helped to pick up the slack, with the exception of Shaq Mason being pushed back into Brady by John Jenkins on a pass attempt.
Adding in the run blocking, which helped the lead the way for 126 yards, and there sits a solid performance from an injury-riddled unit.
Grade: B
