Brady, Pats Sink Dolphins

New England started its 2011 season on the right foot last night by taking down the Dolphins, 38-24, in Miami.  The Patriots are no stranger to winning their season openers, however, as this marked the eighth straight year they've enjoyed a victory in Week 1. 

Reigning MVP Tom Brady became the 11th quarterback
 in league history to toss at least 500 yards in a single game

Tom Brady was the star of the show last night, leading New England's offensive attack with four touchdown passes and compiling a team record 517 passing yards (take that, Cam Newton) with 32 completions in 48 attempts, capping it all off with a 99 yard TD to Wes Welker about halfway through the fourth quarter.  The defense had just made a critical stop at the one yard line, and while passing out of his own end zone on first down may have been a risky play call, Tom Terrific was up to Belichick's challenge and fired a perfectly placed laser to Welker, who had snuck free at the 30 yard line and bolted to the end zone for his second touchdown of the evening.

The Pats moved the ball 622 total yards, another franchise record, and the offensive line deserves plenty of credit for that achievement.  Brady consistently benefited from ample time in the pocket and rarely had to throw under pressure, so he could let the plays develop and pick out his receivers.  Pint-sized Danny Woodhead led New England in rushing with 69 yards on 14 carries, but it was BenJarvis Green-Ellis who accounted for NE's lone rushing TD.  Sophomore tight end Aaron Hernandez chipped in with 103 receiving yards and a touchdown as well.

The defense was solid, too, by shutting out the Dolphins in the second quarter and limiting Miami to just seven first half points.  They did allow Miami QB Chad Henne to notch 416 yards with 30 of 49 passing, but compensated by shutting down the Dolphins' running game for the most part. 

All in all, last night's victory was a great team win for the Pats.  Their next game is this Sunday against the Chargers (who overcame a 17-7 halftime deficit against the Vikings to pull out a win in Week 1) in Foxborough.