New England Patriots: Phillip Dorsett provides help in win over Texans

In the New England Patriots’ Week 1 win, Phillip Dorsett indeed stepped up for the team at wide receiver.

Coming into Week 1, there were a lot of question marks surrounding the wide receivers core for the New England Patriots. Due to the losses of Danny Amendola and Brandin Cooks in the offseason, the group was clearly going to be taking a step back this season.

However, the return of Julian Edelman was supposed to counteract some of that. Unfortunately, Edelman was suspended for the first four games of the season, leaving the Patriots thin at wide receiver.

Against the Houston Texans in Week 1, many expected Chris Hogan to have a big game. While Rob Gronkowski was certainly the No.1 option in the passing game, Hogan was the No.1 wide receiver. To the surprise of many, Hogan didn’t do much against the Texans.

In the win Hogan totaled just one catch for 11 yards on five targets. Compared to what he did to the Texans last season, it was a totally different showing for Hogan in Week 1. Even though Hogan didn’t have a strong game, the Patriots No.2 wide receiver, Phillip Dorsett, did.

Dorsett had a strong training camp and preseason, as it was clear he looked like he was ready to grab the No. 2 spot and run with it. In the win, Dorsett totaled seven receptions, 66 receiving yards, and a touchdown.

In 2017, Dorsett didn’t even catch a touchdown pass for the Patriots in 15 games, and he is well on his way to passing his season total for receiving yards. With Edelman being suspended for three more games, the Patriots will need this type of production from Dorsett.

Next week is going to be a challenging test for the Patriots offense, as they will be facing one of the best defenses in the league in the Jacksonville Jaguars. After what Gronkowski did in Week 1, the Jaguars will certainly be focusing on him, leaving Hogan and Dorsett with the opportunity to make them pay on potential single coverage.

For Dorsett, this was certainly a positive start to the season for him. Now he will look to sustain this momentum and success throughout the season.