New England Patriots vs Miami Dolphins Match Player Stats On Sep 12, 2011

SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 12, 2011

Tom Brady showed why he won his second MVP award last year, throwing for a career-best and franchise-record 517 yards and four touchdowns as the New England Patriots extended their winning streak in season openers to eight on Monday night with a 38-24 road victory over the Miami Dolphins.

The effort demolished Brady's previous career high of 410 yards against Kansas City on Sept. 22, 2002, and Drew Bledsoe's franchise mark of 426 set during the 1994 season. It was the fifth-best passing performance in NFL history, 37 yards short of Norm Van Brocklin's record of 554 yards.

Brady became the 18th quarterback in history to surpass the 35,000-yard mark as he entered 256 shy of the plateau. He also tied an NFL record by connecting with Wes Welker on a 99-yard scoring pass.

Miami's Chad Henne recorded his first career 400-yard game, completing 30-of-49 passes for 416 yards and two touchdowns. Henne, who also rushed for 59 yards, and Brady combined for an NFL-record 906 yards.

Brady also threw his first interception since Oct. 17, 2010, against Baltimore, ending his record completion streak at 358. The pick by Miami's Jared Odrick 2 1/2 minutes into the third quarter led to a 10-yard TD pass from Henne to Brian Hartline that tied the game 14-14.

Brady, who was 32-of-48, put the Patriots ahead for good on the next possession, completing a 10-play, 73-yard drive with a 2-yard scoring toss to Welker. After Miami failed to convert a fourth-and-goal chance from the 1-yard line, the duo hooked up for a 99-yard TD that gave New England a 38-17 lead.

Welker finished with 160 yards on eight receptions.

Aaron Hernandez made seven catches for 103 yards and a touchdown for New England, which has won five of six meetings with Miami. Chad Ochocinco had one reception for 14 yards in his Patriots debut.

Brandon Marshall caught seven passes for 139 yards for Miami, which scored only 21 points in two losses to New England last season.

Both teams lost a player to an ankle injury as Patriots center Dan Koppen and Dolphins linebacker Jason Taylor went down just before halftime and did not return.