BSJ Game Report: Dolphins 27, Patriots 20 -- Rare late-season clunker

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Everything you need to know about the Patriots’ loss to the Dolphins in quickie form with BSJ insight and analysis:

HEADLINES

Patriots didn't come ready to play: Was trying to figure out the last time the Patriots had a chance to clinch the division — the proverbial t-shirt and hat game — and failed to deliver. But that's what happened in this one. Through three quarters, the Patriots trailed 27-10 and were outgained 329 to 151. To that point, Tom Brady was 15 of 26 for 134 yards and two interceptions for a passer rating of 39.6. On the other side, Dolphins RB Kenyan Drake had 95 yards on 19 carries and had 80 yards receiving, and Jay Cutler was 21 of 28 for 248 yard and three touchdowns for 137.2 rating. Talk about a bizarro world.

Patriots really missed Gronk: With Rob Gronkowski suspended for the game, the Dolphins were able to free up their safeties to play more in the box against the run and to aid in the pass rush. That cut down on the Patriots’ ability to run the ball, and it forced Brady more to the outside and deep with his passes. That was a good mix for them. The Patriots were an astonishing 0-for-11 on third downs.

Tom Brady struggled with his deep accuracy: Brady was picked off twice and both balls were underthrown, as was a deep pass down the right sideline to Chris Hogan when he had a few steps on the defender. If Brady was more accurate, the Patriots hit the one or two passes needed to loosen up the Dolphins defense. It never happened and that emboldened the Dolphins.

TURNING POINT

The Patriots had the Dolphins exactly where they wanted them after a field goal to end the first half cut Miami’s lead to 13-10. The Patriots had another chance at a double score as they received the second-half kickoff. Joe Thuney gave up a sack on the second play, then Brady underthrew Cooks and was intercepted. Dolphins needed five plays to score on a touchdown when Jakeem Grant went over Malcolm Butler to make it 20-10. At that point, the Patriots were swimming upstream.

SECOND GUESS

Two things stood out…

Deciding that Elandon Roberts could cover Kenyan Drake. Instead of bumping out a corner when the running back went wide, the Patriots decided they were OK matching up with Roberts. Drake had four catches for four targets and 80 yards in the first half.

Not threatening the middle of the field with the pass. Yes, the Patriots didn’t have Gronkowski, but they decided to not even try to replace his middle-of-the-field presence until later in the game with Danny Amendola. The Patriots could have used Amendola earlier and supplemented with one of their running backs. Anybody seen James White (until his TD in the fourth)?

THREE UP

Dion Lewis: Had 67 total yards to easily pace the offense. He was the only person who appeared to be a problem for the Miami defense.

Ryan Allen: Averaged 47.7 yards per punt with a 46.4 net on seven kicks with three landing inside the 20. Yeah, it was that bad. But Allen punted really well.

Eric Rowe: Showed some spunk and physical play when he got his meaningful playing time since returning from his groin injury. Replaced Jonathan Jones in the defense.

THREE DOWN

Joe Thuney: Gave up at least two sacks and really struggled holding the point of attack against the Dolphins’ interior pass rush. No question, Thuney has been struggling after a strong start to the season.

Brandin Cooks: Was 0-for-6 on targets before he caught a 38-yard pass in garbage time. Patriots thought they could rely on Cooks to help make up for Gronkowski’s absence and instead they learned that Cooks is a nice receiver to take the top off a defense with a nice ensemble around him, but he’s no leading man.

Tom Brady: The Patriots were only, really, missing Gronkowski and that’s no excuse for them to go 0-for-11 on third downs. Brady reverted back to the deep balls like he did early in the season when they were scuffling, when just moving the chains would have sufficed. For the second-straight week, Brady struggled figuring out exactly what the Dolphins were doing and never seemed comfortable in the pocket. Finished 24-of-43 for 233 yards, one touchdown and one interception (59.5 rating).

INJURIES

Alan Branch (knee): Left the game in the first half but returned and got a stuffed run. But then he was labeled as out for the first of the game at halftime.
Patrick Chung (undisclosed): Appeared to get banged up on the onsides kick near the end of the game.

TOP PLAYS

Incredible throw by Brady, better catch by Lewis.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/940409973439209472

This was the defensive highlight (kidding)

https://twitter.com/fearthe_beard11/status/940425720492204033

Burkhead TD

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/940410674659782657

Breaking ... Patriots executed a screen pass.

https://twitter.com/fearthe_beard11/status/940412243413368832

THREE TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

The Patriots will beat the Steelers next week: How many times have we seen it? The Patriots look like complete crap, the fans and talk radio spend the week picking them apart and talk about how the Patriots were exposed, and then the Patriots focus in and deliver their best performance of the season to shut up all the haters? Well, I ain't falling for it again. Yeah, the Patriots had a rough one and were probably looking ahead to the Steelers game, and it's not a good look to have a performance like this late in the season. But they'll get some key players back for the Steelers game and look like a completely different team — the real Patriots.

The offensive performance wasn't all that surprising: While we've all been marveling at the defensive improvement, which made for some comfortable wins since the bye week, we've all ignored that the offense really hasn't been hitting on all cylinders since Martellus Bennett was lost for the season. In the four games leading into the bye, the Patriots averaged 21.8 points per game. In the two games after the bye — with Bennett — the Patriots averaged 37.0 points. Since Bennett went on the shelf, the Patriots have averaged 26.0. I think there is a correlation. Bennett helped, even a little bit, in the short area of the field — easy throws for Brady. Those keep an offense in rhythm.

Patriots need to address front-seven depth in the offseason: With Dont'a Hightower, Trey Flowers and Kyle Van Noy out of the lineup, the Patriots had next to nothing in the pass-rush department. The Patriots need to do better than Marquis Flowers, Eric Lee, Elandon Roberts, Jonathan Freeny, Jordan Richards and Adam Butler in the way of backups. They need some young, drafted players with upside and athletic potential. Just not good enough against a bad offensive line.