My read on the second touchdown by the Dolphins RB is that safeties Marte Mapu (left flat) and Kyle Dugger (right safety) are supposed to account for the two backfield threats. Essentially, take whoever between Achane and Hill comes out your side of the formation. When the Dolphins use a pseudo-switch release from the funky alignment, Dugger gets caught with his eyes in the backfield and doesn’t see Achane release into the flat. As always, placing blame without knowing the exact call is difficult. But that’s usually how defenses cover those types of backfield alignments, and the unique release seemed to fool the Pats defense.
To get back to playing Patriots defense, this group needs to start playing better as a collective. Good team defense is all about 11 players being on the same page, and if you can do that, even defenses with lesser talent can play above their talent level.
New England has its depth issues that were exacerbated by key players being unavailable this season, but the Patriots are also beating themselves defensively with poor communication.
4. Patriots O-Line Struggles in Pass Protection, Too Many Costly Penalties vs. Dolphins
In a season where continuity has been difficult, the offensive line had settled down from a personnel standpoint, starting the same line for the third consecutive week on Sunday.
However, the Patriots O-Line had a rough performance vs. the Dolphins, leading to starting RT Trey Jacobs getting benched in the second half, with four sacks allowed and a 37% pressure rate on rookie QB Drake Maye. Along with the pass protection woes, the offensive line was also called for nine penalties, including four for starting LT Vederian Lowe. Lowe was whistled for three false starts and a hold, with the hold wiping out a 19-yard gain.
As for Jacobs, the Patriots right tackle struggled with Dolphins first-rounder Chop Robinson. Jacobs allowed a team-high seven quarterback pressures with a sack, with Robinson logging nine total pressures in a terrific performance. The rookie first-rounder’s speed to corner the edge was a problem for Jacobs, who sometimes has issues with getting depth out of his stance.
New England’s two starting tackles allowed two combined sacks and 11 quarterback pressures and were called for six penalties. They weren’t alone in their struggles, either, as starting LG Michael Jordan continues to be on a downward trend with a sack and three hurries allowed.
Ultimately, this group isn’t built to play from behind on the scoreboard or behind the chains. With their penalties moving the offense backward, the offense was constantly in long downs and distances while trailing in the game. That’s a recipe for the defense to tee off on an offensive line with talent deficiencies, and that’s exactly what happened on Sunday.
Without many options at tackle, it’ll be interesting to see if the Patriots attempt to upgrade one spot moving forward, with 2022 first-rounder Cole Strange going into the starting lineup at one of the interior spots. Most likely, Strange will either play left guard or center.
5. Patriots No. 2 Cornerback Spot Moving Up the List of Offseason Needs
Another thought from this game was that the Patriots will need to explore their options in the offseason to upgrade their cornerback room. Veteran DB Jonathan Jones is a great Patriot, but his days of being a sticky man coverage defender for long stretches are nearing an end. As for the younger Jones, Marcus Jones would be best as a nickel corner playing out of the slot. Jones struggles when he’s asked to play the field corner spot on the outside.
On Sunday, Marcus Jones allowed a team-high six catches for 83 yards, mainly covering Waddle. To his credit, Jones settled down in the second half, where he had two nice pass breakups. Still, Jones is inconsistent when he’s asked to play opposite Gonzalez on the perimeter. One would expect the Patriots to explore the cornerback market this offseason.
6. Patriots Wide Receiver Room Starting to Have a Clear Hierarchy
As for how the snaps were distributed at wide receiver, this room is starting to have some consistency based on personnel packages throughout the game (base versus sub-packages).
On Sunday, WR Kayshon Boutte again led the way with 54 snaps as the team’s primary X receiver. Followed by DeMario Douglas (44 snaps), Kendrick Bourne (37), Ja’Lynn Polk (22), and rookie Javon Baker (10).
Douglas had some good moments, with grabs of 27 and 20 yards in the third quarter. Maye hit Douglas on an RPO slant and a spot route over the middle, where Pop broke tackles to add 18 yards after the catch. In his post-game press conference, Maye also took responsibility for missing Douglas on a blitz beater, which should’ve been another big play.
The Patriots have a receiver who can beat man coverage and win quickly off the line in Douglas, so it’s up to Maye and the coaching staff to get him the ball in those situations.
7. Patriots S Kyle Dugger Vows to be Better After Down Performance
Speaking to reporters after Sunday’s loss, a very accountable Kyle Dugger owned his struggles, saying, “I just need to play better. It’s really as simple as that.”
Since his return from injury, Dugger has been shaky. In Week 11, he missed three tackles and could’ve been better in his zone drop on a 19-yard touchdown. This week, it appeared that Dugger was responsible in some way for three of Miami’s four touchdown passes. Dugger also had back-to-back opportunities for interceptions, dropping an easy one in the end zone.
After signing a four-year extension, Dugger was named a team captain this season. His ankle injury might be contributing to derailing his season. Still, he’s also a better football player than he has shown the last two weeks, and the Patriots need him to return to form.
8. Patriots Specialists Contribute to Loss With Missed Field Goal, Punting Miscues
Lastly, the Patriots specialists had their hand in this loss as well. As mentioned, Slye missed a 45-yard field goal in the first quarter that could’ve given the team some early momentum. As for P Bryce Baringer, he registered another touchback on a plus-50 punt and had a 39-yard mishit. New England could use more from their specialists to help them on the margins.