Week 1 in Photos: 5 key moments from the Dolphins win over New England Patriots
A new era has begun for the Miami Dolphins.
Mike McDaniel led the team to a 20-7 win over Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots on Sunday in Miami Gardens to open his head coaching career in style.
We've compiled the best photos from Palm Beach Post photojournalists Bill Ingram, Andres Leiva and Jim Rassol and USA Today at Hard Rock Stadium for Week 1 of the Miami Dolphins season.
Snap Conclusions: Bad news for Noah Igbinoghene as rookie Kader Kohou makes solid debut
From Hal Habib: Start of NFL season? Dolphins beating Patriots feels more like start of McDaniel era
Recent: Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa becomes modern-day Patriots Killer
Honoring Jason Jenkins
Elizabeth Jenkins and her family joined Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for the coin toss before the game.
The family was honored in memoriam of Jason Jenkins, who was the senior vice president of communications and community affairs for the Miami Dolphins who died suddenly in August.
Xavien Howard vs. Devante Parker
Veteran Dolphins defensive back Xavien Howard and longtime Dolphins wide receiver Devante Parker, now with the Patriots, were in competition early and often.
On the Patriots' first drive of the season, quarterback Mac Jones tried to find Parker in the end zone, but a physical Howard managed to tip the ball into the air for teammate Jevon Holland to intercept and return.
"I was just running to the ball, doing my job and trying to show my teammates I love them," Holland said. "You can measure how much your teammate loves you by how close he is to the ball at the end of the play.
Defensive Touchdown
Miami's defense produced the team's first touchdown of the season.
Blitzing safety Brandon Jones came off the edge free for a sack and knocked the ball away from Patriots quarterback Mac Jones. Offseason linebacker addition Melvin Ingram scooped up the free ball and ran into the end zone with a wide grin on his face after a debut touchdown.
"The sky is the limit for this defense," Ingram said. "We just have to go out there and work every day. ... We'll get back in the film room. This is another building stone."
Tua to Waddle
A game-breaking decision and throw from Miami's new head coach and captain.
Facing fourth-and-7 near midfield with less than a minute to half, head coach Mike McDaniel sent Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins offense back onto the field to pick up a first down.
Tagovailoa did more, hitting second-year receiver Jaylen Waddle among three Patriots defenders for a breakaway 47-yard touchdown. The score gave Miami a 17-0 halftime advantage.
Kader Kohou emerges
A defensive stalemate arose in the second half with the Dolphins only adding a field goal to their first-half advantage.
Playmakers on the Dolphins' defense kept the Patriots at bay, however.
Undrafted free agent defensive back Kader Kohou stepped up with three impact plays, including a pass breakup on fourth down, a tackle for loss and a big fourth-quarter hit on Patriots wide receiver Nelson Agholor to force a fumble, which Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips recovered.
"The veterans have made it a big thing to make my transition from D2 easier. They've just been building up my confidence with each little tip. I really appreciate them. We have great veteran leadership."
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Eric J. Wallace is the deputy sports editor of The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at ejwallace@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins: 5 key photos from Week 1 win over Patriots
