Bedard's Breakdown: 3 sequences to an L - Offense & defense at end of first half; Jones INT sequence; Mostert TD

Breaking down the biggest sequences in the Patriots' 24-17 loss to the Dolphins using analysis of the coaches' film. The plays/discussion points:

• End of first half sequence on both offense and defense that contributed to the Patriots going from a possible 10-7 halftime deficit to 17-3;
• The sequence in and around Mac Jones' interception throwing at DeVante Parker.
• Raheem Mostert's 43-yard touchdown that was the final margin of victory.

2-8-MIA 30 (2:00) (Shotgun) E.Elliott left tackle to MIA 31 for -1 yards (R.Davis).
Timeout #2 by MIA at 01:57.

This was probably the biggest play of the final sequence of the first half, with New England trailing 10-0. The Patriots had a chance to score a touchdown and keep Miami from possessing the ball before halftime, with it starting with the ball in the second half.

The Patriots, which started 1st and 20 after Cole Strange's holding penalty, had the numbers to run the ball here for good yardage and at least get into third and manageable. The Dolphins had two deep safeties. I don't like this being Ezekiel Elliott instead of Rhamondre Stevenson, but it wouldn't have mattered. Vic Fangio had a better call — the Dolphins slanted to the Patriots' right, the Patriots were going to their left — but David Andrews, Strange and Mike Onwenu all got beat at the snap, leading to a negative play.

3-9-MIA 31 (1:57) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete short middle to D.Parker (D.Elliott).

More poor execution by DeVante Parker and Mac Jones. The play was there but it's just not precise enough. Parker rounds off his route and doesn't make the tough catch. Jones could a) look off the safety and b) fire a bullet into a tight window. None of it happens. Jones stares down Parker, allowing Deshon Elliott to break on the ball. Jones doesn't throw the ball hard enough. Parker doesn't make a very tough catch. Patriots only get a field goal.

1-10-MIA 25 (1:49) (Shotgun) T.Tagovailoa pass short left to S.Ahmed pushed ob at MIA 30 for 5 yards (J.Mills).
2-5-MIA 30 (1:44) (Shotgun) T.Tagovailoa pass short left to S.Ahmed pushed ob at MIA 34 for 4 yards (M.Bryant).
3-1-MIA 34 (1:40) (Shotgun) R.Mostert left end to MIA 40 for 6 yards (J.Bentley; J.Peppers).

Despite the short yardage, the Patriots have two of their weaker run defenders in Daniel Ekuale and Christian Barmore in the middle of the defense. The run fits by Barmore (foremost) and Ja'Whaun Bentley were not good. Too easy.

1-10-MIA 40 (1:17) (No Huddle, Shotgun) T.Tagovailoa pass short left to R.Cracraft to NE 38 for 22 yards (J.Mills).

Talk about a decisive QB who had confidence in the playcall and receiver, Tua Tagovailoa throws this on a rope before River Cracraft is even out of his break, which allows for more yards after the snap. Just tremendous execution by a high-functioning passing game.

1-10-NE 38 (:57) (No Huddle, Shotgun) T.Tagovailoa pass short right to D.Smythe to NE 32 for 6 yards (S.Wade).
2-4-NE 32 (:38) (No Huddle, Shotgun) T.Tagovailoa pass short left to R.Cracraft to NE 20 for 12 yards (M.Bryant).

Another well-timed bullet pass.

1-10-NE 20 (:31) (Shotgun) T.Tagovailoa pass short right to B.Berrios pushed ob at NE 2 for 18 yards (S.Wade).
The Replay Official reviewed the runner was out of bounds ruling, and the play was REVERSED.
(Shotgun) T.Tagovailoa pass short right to B.Berrios to NE 2 for 18 yards (S.Wade).

This was just a tremendous play by Tagovailoa, who initially was going to run right into a designed Patriots pressure and Matthew Judon, but he pulled up and made a perfect pass over Shaun Wade and under Christian Gonzalez, who played it well despite being over the top of Tyreek Hill.

1-2-NE 2 (:15) (Shotgun) T.Tagovailoa pass short right to T.Hill for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

This is the Dolphins, through gameplanning, knowing how the Patriots would cover pass patterns in the low red zone and react to motion. Prior to the snap, you can see Kyle Dugger signaling to Gonzalez that they are going to play the routes according to alignment. Gonzalez takes the outside receiver and goes with motion, leaving Dugger playing inside leverage with no help against Hill. Easy touchdown.

Huge sequence. Patriots could have scored a touchdown and run out the first half. Instead, they only get three and leave time for the Dolphins to score a touchdown for a 17-3 halftime lead.

2-1-MIA 40 (3:05) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete short right to K.Bourne.

This is the most puzzling plays of the game for me. Jones is not under pressure, Bourne is open for a good gain, and Jones threw the ball 10 yards out of bounds. Jones wanted Gesicki over the middle, but Bourne was open. This might be evidence of Jones not really having a ton of confidence in Bourne making the right decision and not wanting to chance it against Xavien Howard. But this has to be completed.

3-1-MIA 40 (3:01) M.Jones pass short right to R.Stevenson pushed ob at MIA 33 for 7 yards (X.Howard).
1-10-MIA 33 (2:24) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete deep right to K.Bourne.

This play is an example of Bourne being infuriating. He runs just a terrible route. It's one-on-one. On this seam route, we've seen the likes of Wes Welker and Julian Edelman run hard up on the corner, fake to the inside, causing the corner to hesitate, and the receiver continues on for a possible touchdown. Bourne doesn't threaten anything. He turns his head early, slowing himself down. Jones' pass also was not good enough. Despite all this, it was still almost completed. This was another missed opportunity all the way around.

2-10-MIA 33 (2:18) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short right to K.Bourne pushed ob at MIA 25 for 8 yards (X.Howard).
3-2-MIA 25 (1:46) R.Stevenson up the middle to MIA 24 for 1 yard (B.Chubb).
New England challenged the short of the line to gain ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on the field stands. (Timeout #1.)
4-1-MIA 24 (1:26) M.Jones up the middle to MIA 22 for 2 yards (C.Wilkins).

Not great pad level from Vederian Lowe and Cole Strange, and Stevenson doesn't exactly hit the hole hard. Still, Belichick shouldn't have wasted a challenge with 4th and inches coming up.

1-10-MIA 22  (:57) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Jones pass deep right intended for D.Parker INTERCEPTED by X.Howard at MIA 3. X.Howard pushed ob at MIA 3 for no gain (D.Parker).

Could Jones' pass been a little better, possibly with a little more under air under it to give Parker a better chance to use his height advantage? Yes. But I'm sorry, I'm still putting a little more of the blame on Parker. A receiver can't be shoved out of bounds like this. Parker has to put a shoulder into Howard and own his space, show him who's boss. Instead, Howard abused his former teammate — just like he used to in Dolphins practices — and just outmuscled him for the ball. At the very least, the receiver has to make this an incompletion. Parker wasn't as competitive as he needs to be on this. Jones' pass could have been better. It all needs to be better.

1-10-NE 43 (8:51) (Shotgun) R.Mostert left guard for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Just awful all the way around from weak run personnel (Daniel Ekuale on the nose?!) to guys getting washed out (Ekuale) and late (Bentley, Peppers). Finally, Dugger is the failsafe. He is way too shallow and doesn't even get a hand on Mostert. This is just bad all the way around.

BONUS PLAY

Former NFL punter/holder Pat McAfee did a great job of explaining the Brenden Schooler field goal block.