The New England Patriots have been outclassed by the Miami Dolphins in a 34-15 loss at Onerous Rock Stadium on Sunday.
New England dropped to 3-9 on the season whereas Miami improved to 5-6.
Listed below are 4 takeaways from the embarrassing loss in South Seashore, a sport the place the ultimate verdict was nearer than the sport itself:
An enormous step backward
The Patriots moved nearer to common in current weeks. They have been nonetheless a below-average staff with below-average expertise, however they seemed nearer to mediocrity. They have been aggressive. Nicely, that wasn’t the case Sunday as New England took an enormous step backward at Onerous Rock Stadium. The offensive line struggled mightily in entrance of quarterback Drake Maye (4 sacks) and working again Rhamondre Stevenson (eight carries, 13 yards). The zone-heavy defenses by defensive-minded head coach Jerod Mayo and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington have been carved up by Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. The Dolphins ran circles round New England’s secondary (308 passing yards) and simply discovered holes on the backend. Mayo made a head-scratching teaching resolution, too. It was a narrative-changing day for the Patriots, who failed to point out up in any part.
Largest draft want couldn’t be extra clear
New England’s offensive line had poor performances beforehand, however Sunday’s was arguably the group’s worst exhibiting of the marketing campaign. The offensive line dedicated a handful of penalties as false begins and holding calls halted nearly each constructive possession. Proper sort out Demontrey Jacobs, who was benched within the fourth quarter, allowed seven pressures and one sack, per Professional Soccer Focus. Left guard Michael Jordan, who once more struggled to unravel routine stunts, allowed 4 pressures and one sack. Left sort out Vederian Lowe was penalized 4 occasions (three false begins, maintain) within the first half alone. The Patriots want an offensive sort out greater than anything within the 2024 NFL Draft. They want a number of, really. One other apparent want following Sunday’s loss: cornerback.
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We will say it: Drake Maye made one other mistake
Maye has been the Patriots’ greatest participant since he took over, and it hasn’t been shut. He’s additionally made a couple of expensive errors in game-altering moments. The rookie made a poor resolution and threw off his again foot with 5 minutes remaining and the Patriots scratching and clawing to tighten the 16-point hole. His go was intercepted and put the sport — a sport New England by no means felt prefer it was in — on ice. Maye additionally was intercepted with two minutes left in New England’s Week 11 loss after a miscommunication with DeMario Douglas. Maye has skilled rising pains — he had one other miscommunication with Douglas towards the Dolphins — and it’s honest to say it. He’s additionally the staff’s greatest participant. Each issues might be true.
Jonnu Smith revenge sport!
New England’s secondary obtained cooked for a second straight week. And it was none aside from Smith who led the hassle with star receiver Jaylen Waddle (eight catches, 144 yards, landing). Smith, who spent two seasons with the Patriots earlier than he was traded in the course of the 2023 offseason, was on tempo for a profession 12 months coming into Week 12. His manufacturing towards the Patriots — 9 catches on 11 targets for 87 yards and one landing — possible will assist him get there. Sure, that’s the identical tight finish who had 55 catches for 539 yards and one landing in 30 video games with the Patriots.
