Patriots take care of Dolphins in historic night for Brady

MIAMI - Tom Brady and the New England Patriots started their 2011 campaign just how they left it last season. Well, the regular season anyway. Their last regular season game and the last time the Patriots met division foe Miami, Tom Brady was on his way to the first unanimous MVP choice in NFL history and a 38-7 win.

The only difference in this one was that it would become an historic night for both Brady and the Patriots. The Patriots put up a franchise record 622 yards while Mr. Unanimous MVP torched a Miami defense to the tune of 517 yards and four touchdowns. A personal and franchise record, Brady became the 11 th quarterback in NFL history to throw for at least 500 yards.

Brady, however, did make one mistake. The type of mistake he hasn’t made in quite some time. The Dolphins Jared Odrick intercepted a tipped pass intended for Julian Edelman and returned it 40 yards to the Patriots 9-yard line. It was the first interception Brady threw in 358 attempts. The Dolphins quickly scored on a 10-yard strike from Chad Henne to Brian Hartline.

Brady shook off the rare turnover and continued to pick apart the Dolphin defense with an efficient 10 play, 73-yard drive capped off with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Wes Welker.

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Welker started his season off on the right foot, catching 8 balls for 160 yards and 2 touchdowns including a 99-yarder from Brady that put the game out of reach for the fish. The long touchdown came after an impressive 4 th down goal line stand out of the Patriots new 4-3 defense.

Outshined throughout the night was Dolphin quarterback Chad Henne who threw for a career high 416 yards with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. Henne led an impressive first drive for the Dolphins that gave the team a 7-0 lead and ended with a Henne rush up the middle for a 9-yard score.

Although Henne and the Dolphins lost, the new offense did make a statement and hushed critics that called for Henne’s job in the offseason. Their defense, however, left many questions to be answered. But, then again, Brady has made a lot of defenses question themselves through his time in New England.

Chalk this one up and add it to a long list of regular season games Brady and his offense excelled at the highest level.

As this win marks their 8 th season opening victories in a row, January 2011 is fresh on their minds. Last season, for the second straight season, New England bowed out early in their first playoff game as they got embarrassed by their AFC East rival New York Jets.

Unfortunately this historic win doesn’t do much for fans still feeling the after effects of that January loss but it’s a pretty good start; and I’m sure Brady would agree.

By: Matt Romano
ProFootball-fans.com New England Patriots Correspondent