Patriots vs. Dolphins: 6 Most Surprising Outcomes from Monday Night Football

There are very few things as certain in life as death and taxes. Tom Brady playing amazing football is getting close to that level. Although Brady's incredible performance on Monday Night Football against the Dolphins did not make this list, it was one for the ages. 

Brady broke the Monday Night Football record for passing yards, the Patriots' team record for yards and set his own career high for yards. But as amazing as it sounds, it just wasn't that surprising. 

There were, however, many unexpected elements to this game. Here are the six most surprising takeaways from the game. 

1. The Dolphins Defense Looked Horrible

It was a huge transformation from last season, in which the Dolphins finished with a Top 5 defense and the 30th ranked offense in the NFL.

Yes, I know, the Patriots offense is arguably the best in football. And yes, I know, the Dolphins defense will perform better down the road this season—but they were shredded in a manner I have not seen in my lifetime.

The tight ends, albeit good ones, made the dolphins linebackers and safeties look foolish. A rookie offensive tackle made one of the best pass rushers in the league, Cameron Wake, look pedestrian. And even little Danny Woodhead was elusive and untackleable (I know, I just made that word up).

We know the Pats offense is deadly, but is this Dolphins defense really this bad?  

2. The Patriots Ran No-Huddle over 30 Plays

The no-huddle is only perfected by the most intelligent quarterbacks and often used by the most experienced coordinators and coaches. 

The Patriots are known to show this at times during games and have used it successfully in the past. But in the Monday night game, they used it over 30 times—nearly half of their offensive snaps. 

They totally confused and tired out the Dolphins defense, who could not adjust in time. Three times Brady was able to snap the ball and throw to an uncovered wide receiver. On several other instances the Dolphins were either penalized for too many men or had to burn a timeout to set up their defense. 

For being Week 1, the Pats offense was absolutely rolling. 

3. Reggie Bush Was Severely Underused in the Second Half

After getting eight carries and five catches in the first half, Reggie Bush was a total non-factor in the second half until the final drive when the outcome was well in hand. 

It didn't appear as if Bush wore down or took too many big hits. Maybe it was just a product of Chad Henne playing well, but Bush will have to be more of a factor for the Dolphins if they expect to contend this season.

The Dolphins also interestingly went with Lex Hilliard for their only goal-line carry—their only rushing play call out of many snaps inside the 5-yard line.  

4. Chad Henne Was Really Good

That man was expected to be the biggest question mark for the Dolphins this season. Question answered. Henne was outstanding on Monday night. 

There are many arguments as to why this was an aberration as opposed to a potential big season coming for Henne. The Patriots defense is not very good. The score dictated he would throw nearly 50 times. The last two drives just boosted his stats when the Patriots were giving the Miami receivers plenty of room.

Here's what I say to that: Chad Henne couldn't pick apart even the worst defenses last year for 300 yards, much less 400 like he did tonight. Henne has thrown 40-plus passes before and never gone for 400 yards and two touchdowns, mainly because the offense has included so many dump downs and dink passes to the backs.

And finally, yes, the Patriots secondary was playing soft coverage near the end, but they continued to blitz through the final play of the game.

Credit to Henne.  

5. Chad Ochocinco Was Completely Unused

This would not have been such a surprise in a game that featured the running attack more or in a low-scoring contest in which Miami's defense took Ochocinco out of the game. 

But if Tom Brady throws for over 500 yards and four touchdowns, the fact that Ochocinco only caught one ball and was on the sidelines more often than he was in the game, is a big surprise. 

Maybe the wide receiver has not acclimated himself to his new team. Or maybe Chad is simply not going to produce big numbers this season. I'm leaning toward the latter. 

6. The Dolphins Only Played 2 Backs

With Daniel Thomas injured and inactive and Charles Clay not even seeing the field, the Dolphins only used two running backs in this game. For what it's worth, Lex Hilliard only touched the ball twice. 

I am from the school of thought that Reggie Bush cannot be the every-down back for an entire game, much less an entire season. Although we do not know how big a role Thomas will play, it was a bit worrisome to see the Dolphins run the football only 13 times with their running backs and not use Bush more in the second half. 

And being so high on the rookie Clay, as the Dolphins front office demonstrated when they released Lou Polite, it was surprising not to see him involved at all.