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Rookie who stood out: CB Kader Kohou

Kohou earns this title by default, considering he was the only Dolphins rookie to play more than two snaps. But he earned it nevertheless, recording a pass breakup and forcing a fumble in 18 defensive snaps. The undrafted rookie could see that snap count go up over the next few weeks with Byron Jones still on the PUP list until at least Week 5.

The Dolphins opened their season with encouraging performances on both sides of the ball in a 20-7 win over the Patriots. Tyreek Hill and Tua Tagovailoa displayed the chemistry teased during the summer, connecting eight times for 94 yards on 12 targets, while the defense scored a touchdown (welcome to town, Melvin Ingram) and held New England's undercooked attack to just 271 yards and a single scoring drive. Want a sign of the times in the shifting AFC East? Tagovailoa is now 4-0 in his career against Bill Belichick. Miami has surpassed New England -- Buffalo is the new target.

The Dolphins beat the Patriots and never were really threatened, thanks to the defense. Tua Tagovailoa was good, but the offense still only scored one touchdown.

For all the hullabaloo about Tua and Tyreek, Miami's rise might be primarily fueled by an underappreciated defense that allowed seven points while posting three takeaways Sunday.

How superstitious do you think Stephen Ross is? Will he commit to staying away from the team as long as the Dolphins keep winning? Did the league schedule Dolphins-Patriots for Week 1 because it still thought there was a chance Brady could force a trade to Miami?

Hill and Jaylen Waddle combined for 12 receptions for 163 yards and a touchdown while the Dolphins' running game did not get the "Kyle Shanahan system" bump with a paltry 2.8 yards per rush on 23 carries and only three scoring drives. The Dolphins defense carried the day with a Melvin Ingram touchdown when Brandon Jones' well-timed blindside blitz forced a Mac Jones fumble deep in Patriots' territory. That helped explain why Jones got the ball out so quickly the rest of the afternoon, with his 2.34 seconds to throw the second-quickest in the league in Week 1 behind Brady. It all comes full circle.

I predicted on The Ringer NFL Show last week the Dolphins had potential to be one of the biggest risers in these rankings, and now here we are: up four spots after Week 1. Tua Tagovailoa wasn't a game-breaker by any means, but he didn't have to be against the Pats. Tagovailoa went 22-of-33 for 270 passing yards and a touchdown in his 2022 debut, and new wideout Tyreek Hill led the team in targets (12), receptions (eight), and receiving yards (94). I'm all in on this Mike McDaniel—Tagovailoa pairing, especially with the team's improved offensive line and receiving corps.

Tua Tagovailoa passed his first test. He was efficient in throwing for 270 yards, and he delivered the pass to Jaylen Waddle that Waddle turned into a game-changing 42-yard touchdown right before the first half. Tagovailoa just needs to get the ball to the Dolphins' playmakers, and he did that in Week 1.

The Bills need to be far more concerned about the Dolphins than the Patriots.