Quantcast 2011 Miami Dolphins Football: Dolphins vs Patriots - Week 1
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Henne throws for 400, but Dolphins lose to Pats

 

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It was just going to be that kind of night. Chad Henne played 1 of the best games of his career, but he came up against a Tom Brady who almost broke the record for most passing yards in a game. Henne went 30-49 416 yards, 2 TD's and 1 interception. Brady went 32-48 517 yards, 4 TD's and also 1 interception.

Some analysis’s were saying that Miami were going to finish last in the AFC East this year and that Chad Henne wasn't going to be worth nothing this season. Well he has shut them people up. Henne played better than i have seen him play ever, but it was a pity that the Dolphins defense played so terribly last night.

Even though the Dolphins had near 500 total yards last night, they never going to win giving up over 500 passing yards to Brady. The killer pass came from the 99 yard TD pass to Welker which put them up 38-17 in the fourth.

'Embaressing' Miami safety Yeremiah Bell said. 'That can't happen'. ‘Not the defensive performance we were hoping for' Sparano said ' That's an understatement'.

The Dolphins opened the scoring in the first when Henne made a 9 yard run into the end zone for a TD which topped off a 12 play 84 yard drive which took over 7 minutes. But the Patriots answered right back with a 6 play, 78 yard drive which ended with a TD.

And the Patriots went into the half with the lead when Brady threw a 10- yard pass to Rob Gronkowski and the score at the half was 14-7 Patriots.

Then the Dolphins replied back when Tom Brady's pass to Hernandez was deflected and picked off by Jared Odrick who ran before getting caught at the 10 yard line. That set up first and goal from the 10 and Henne delivered a 10 yard pass to Brian Hartline and the game was tied at 14

But Brady was unstoppable and the Patriots went in front again when Brady connected with Welker for a 2-yard TD.

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The Dolphins never regained the lead after that. Dan Carpenter added a field goal in the third to make it 21-17,  but the Patriots scored another TD before the end of the quarter. Brady threw a 31 yard pass to Aaron Hernandez which was ruled a TD, but was then marked at the 1. But Brady went straight back to Hernandez on the next play and the Patriots added to their lead.

But the killer play came in the fourth. The Dolphins were fourth and goal from the 1 foot line, down 31-17 and Henne overthrew Brian Hartline in the endzone which gave New England the ball back and on the very next play, Brady connected with Welker for a 99 yard TD tying the longest play from scrimmage in the NFL.

The Dolphins did add a consolation when Henne threw to Reggie Bush for a 2 yard TD, but the Dolphins were beat by then.

So even though the Dolphins lost last night, there were a lot of positives to take out of this game. Firstly Chad Henne played like a franchise quarterback, which is what the Dolphins organization want him to be. Secondly Brandon Marshall caught 7 passes for 139 yards. So I think Marshall is back to his best. And thirdly Reggie Bush caught 5 passes for nearly 60 yards and a TD

But there were some negatives in the game as well mainly being the defense. If this Dolphins team wants to be serious contenders in the playoffs, then they can't be giving away 600+ yards every game because they will not get very far.

But the question is. Can Chad Henne stay on form, because if he can, then the Dolphins will be serious contenders in the AFC East this season.

 

By: Conor Tunney
ProFootball-fans.com Miami Dolphins Correspondent