The wait is over, and football is finally here, as the Miami Dolphins will face off against their rivals, the New England Patriots, in the 2022 season opener at Hard Rock Stadium.
With a new coach in Mike McDaniel, along with a plethora of key additions, including Tyreek Hill, Terron Armstead and Chase Edmonds to name a few, expectations are at an all-time high for this franchise.
Having not won a playoff game since the 2001 season, the Dolphins and their fanbase have been clamoring for success for two decades. Through ups and downs, the time is here to stop the projections, forget about the past and focus on the immediate future.
That immediate future is a Week 1 matchup with the Patriots.
The Dolphins have had the Patriots’ number lately and are looking for their fourth straight victory against them. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is 3-0 against Bill Belichick’s team, and it’s obvious that he’s a major key to success in Sunday’s opener. Tagovailoa, who has been one of the league’s most polarizing quarterbacks this offseason, has a chance to silence critics and get the better of his former Alabama teammate, Mac Jones.
Here are five reasons that the Dolphins will beat the Patriots in Week 1.