Week One of the NFL Better Feature a Tua vs. Jarrett Stidham Matchup!
I can’t wait for the NFL to come back. No, let me emphasize it more for you all. I NEED the NFL to come back. You’re going to tell me that the KBO is sufficient enough for right now? Fine. But what about in two months? Probably not.
The NFL came out with their respective schedules yesterday. If you want an opinion on the Pats schedule, read Jess Donahue’s article here. Their schedule looks tough, not gonna lie there. But week one? They’re squaring up against divisional foe Miami.
The #Patriots will be opening the season at home vs the #Dolphins, per @ArmandoSalguero.
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) May 7, 2020
Keep in mind, the Dolphins drafted former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with the 5th overall pick in the 2020 draft. The Patriots are looking like they’re ready to roll with Jarrett Stidham in 2020. So should we be pining for a Tau-Stidham matchup? Let’s look at the factors that can make this game a whole lot of fun.
A First for Both QB’s
This would be an amazing first for both quarterbacks. Obviously for Tua, it would be his first NFL start in his rookie season. We saw it last season with Kyler Murray in Arizona. We could potentially see it again with Tua. Now, Ryan Fitzpatrick might have something to say about that. But, you never know. Meanwhile for Stidham, he’ll be the guy in the post-Brady era. It’ll be his first season as a starter and his first career NFL start as well. You’re telling me those tickets wouldn’t sell like hot cakes? C’mon now, let’s use our brains here people!
A Rematch of The SEC
Tua comes from Alabama. Stidham reigns supreme from Auburn. This would be a fun matchup to see. A rematch of SEC quarterbacks at the NFL level? Yes please!
The Patriots and Dolphins Weird Matchups
The Patriots and Dolphins games the past few seasons have been crazy. We had the Miami Miracle in 2018. There was the Patriots collapse in the last regular season game against Miami last season. (Side note: I was at that game with my girlfriend. I feel so bad looking back now that I was in a terrible mood afterwards. Sorry hunny! Thanks again for taking me!) Something weird always happens in these matchups. Don’t forget, the Dolphins have a LOT of players and coaches from the Patriots organization. Don’t think that doesn’t play into the matchup as well. Tua could throw a last second Hail Mary for the win. Stidham could lead a Brady-esque type of drive to win game one and give Patriots fans hope for the season. If crazy things are going to happen, it’ll be with a Tua vs. Stidham, Dolphins vs. Pats type of matchup.
In Conclusion
This matchup needs to happen. I need it. You need it. Your family needs it. The neighbor next door needs it. You get the point. This matchup could also be a preview of many exciting future matchups as well. Could the Dolphins and Patriots go to their veterans to start? For sure. But do I see it happening? Absolutely not. So let’s buckle up Pats Nation. September 13th, 1:00 PM EST can’t come soon enough. The countdown begins!
-Al Nahigian (@BigAl2793)