Category: Patriots

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Game 27: Patriots @ Dolphins

December 11, 2017

Hard Rock Stadium – Miami Gardens, Florida

My Friends Zach and Dustin

 

Pregame Thoughts

Prediction: Dolphins win by 3

 

Results

Final Score: Dolphins 27, Patriots 20

My Record: 17-10

 

This may have been the best prediction of the year. I didn’t get the score exact (and I have other times) but really it is because no one was giving the Dolphins a chance. My thoughts on not having Gronkowski and the Patriots being near last in the NFL in the run came into play big time. Also, credit to Cutler, he didn’t turn the ball over and played amazing!

 

The Game

Review to come! Sorry, this guy has been busy!

 

The Stadium

Overall Rating: A+

 

This was by far the best stadium this season! With only a handful left, it will be hard to beat. I will get into more details shortly, but pretty simply the Dolphins gave every fan in the stadium a great experience. I mean EVERY FAN because the amenities that the Dolphins had (concessions, bars, bathrooms, picnic areas, seating, etc.) were in EVERY SECTION throughout the stadium. As far as what the stadium has to offer and the experience you receive, it doesn’t matter if you sit in the upper deck or the sidelines and that alone is incredible!

 

I could go on and on about the positives, but let me try and briefly describe them. One is the fact that there are escalators to each level, I mean directly to each one that are clearly labeled and a straight shot up on the outside of the stadium. This is key because other stadiums have escalators that wrap around and everyone has to go up 3-4 to get to their section, sometimes it gets jammed, etc; the Dolphins eliminated that problem. Another problem they eliminated is long lines for concessions and bathrooms. They have food court style areas throughout the stadium with clearly labeled food and drinks before you get in line. Also, you can order some simple foods at the bar and get beers in almost any line (eliminates waiting in two lines). They also built enough large bathrooms but then added a bunch of smaller bathrooms around almost every single section. Fantastic.

 

The only negative might be that it’s not right in South Beach. However, it isn’t far away and if you drive, you can park in the neighborhoods nearby for free. They also do have some vendors in the parking lot selling food/drinks, so you can still tailgate. I think putting it closer to downtown Miami would have clogged traffic even more and raised prices for parking and eliminated the opportunity to have so many food court areas. So the little hassle for the drive, walk or bus to the stadium is eliminated by the experience. Great job Dolphins!

 

Love, Hate, Shout Out

Love:

 

Hate:

 

Shout Out:

 

Fan Tips

 

 

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Game 12: Falcons @ Patriots

October 22, 2017

Gillette Stadium – Foxborough, Massachusetts

My Friend Rich (yes, those are the two best photos I had)

 

Pregame Thoughts

Prediction: Patriots by 10

 

Results

Final Score: Patriots 23, Falcons 7

My Record: 7-5

 

Good prediction except for the score. It was not a close game at all at any point in the game.

 

The Game

The Patriots dominated in every aspect of the game (possessing the ball 60% of the game too). Tom Brady continues to look like young quarterback. He was very efficient completing 21 of 29 passes, 249 passing yards and two touchdowns.

 

The game was relatively boring in my opinion. There were no turnovers, only three sacks and limited penalties. Also, there was really dense fog where you couldn’t see anything at times (the field or the scoreboard). That photo of the field is the only clear one I had and it was ah hour prior to kickoff.

 

The Stadium

Overall Rating: B

 

The stadium was nice, pretty standard. The best part is the fan areas right at the entrances. It has everything you need and has enough vendors where its not too crowded before games. There really isn’t a bad seat in there (unless the fog exists).

 

The negative part is how far away it is from civilization. I am learning a lot of stadiums aren’t too close anymore, but this one doesn’t have much in the near area either. There is one McDonald’s and gas station a 10 minute walk away, but no bars.

 

Love, Hate, Shout Out

Love: Clear days. The fog made me appreciate when the weather is nice and clear. It was warm for a late fall night game, but the fog really put a damper on the game.

 

Hate: No Ubers or Taxis available after the game. We were staying at my friend’s grandparents and it was over an hour walk on some dark windy roads. At midnight it wasn’t a fun walk at all.

 

Shout Out: Robert Kraft. There were 200+ cancer survivors brought on the field beforehand, including his wife. He also made a million dollar donation to local cancer treatment hospitals. I am not a Patriots or a Kraft fan, but I respect this.

 

Fan Tips

Plan ahead for transportation, the stadium is literally in the middle of nowhere!