BSJ Game Report: Dolphins 31, Patriots 17 - Miami big plays, lack of NE offense drops Pats to 2-6

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

BOX SCORE

HEADLINES

Same as it ever was, mostly: This was a return to the way the Patriots played a majority of the first six games of the season - a critical turnover, some ill-timed penalties, and a general sloppiness in all three phases that put them in a bad script from late in the first quarter until that TD-scoring drive in the 4th. Offensively, the limitations - somewhat overcome against Buffalo - reared their ugly heads for long stretches in this one. Consider this: excluding the kneel down before the half, the Pats had eight series that resulted in just five first downs, one touchdown (off a short field), and a field goal "drive" that actually lost a yard. 

SECOND GUESS

The officiating: I know there was a lot of bellyaching about the DPI on J.C. Jackson on Tyreek Hill that came on a third down, but he did grab the jersey, which will get called in the red area. Whatever. But the refs missed a blatant helmet-to-helmet on DeVante Parker midway in the third quarter near midfield. That was part of a four-and-out on a drive that had the Pats at their own 47 (down 24-10). And then came the fumble that was ruled not a fumble even though the whistle hadn't blown, and it's unclear whether forward progress was stopped. The bottom line is that the Pats put themselves in this position and didn't deserve to win, but they also didn't get any help. 

Bill Belichick was insightful when asked about the refs: "Talk to the officials. They're the ones who call them. I’m sure they’ll have an explanation for it."

THREE UP

- Kyle Dugger: An interception that led to the Pats' first touchdown, a sack, and some excellent open-field tackling. It hasn't been a good year for Dugger, and he admitted to that this week. This could be a launching point for the 4th year pro.

- Kendrick Bourne: He's exempt from the stink, stank, stunk list and has been since midway through training camp (check the tape!). It was a very nice TD catch, properly leveraging former Pats DB Justin Bethel, creating some contact, and then driving hard on the slant. 

- Run defense: Except for a blown edge early by Junior Tavai, the Pats did an excellent job on a Fins attack that loves to exploit the "C" gap. Not up in here, said the Pats defense. 

THREE DOWN

- Mac Jones: Brutal interception to kill a drive late in the first half and, because of a long return, led to a Fins field goal before the break. On the opening possession of the third quarter, the third-year signal caller appeared to be hyper-focused on Rhamondre Stevenson while first Parker and then Douglas popped open. Pats had to settle for a three after being gift-wrapped great field position by a Mostert/Tua fumble.

"I knew the coverage, I knew everything," said Jones. "I made a bad throw really late. Didn't really drive it. That's what happens on that play. The guy either takes and it's a touchdown, or the guy falls off and that can happen. Can't do that as a quarterback."

- J.C. Jackson: Was a frequent target of the Miami passing attack and was in coverage for a pair of TD passes. 

- JuJu Smith-Schuster: Active but did not play a snap in the first half. Yes, he scored in the second half, but man, that free-agent signing has been nothing but regrettable since it happened.

TOP PLAYS

- Down 14-7, the Patriots were stringing a good drive just before the half. Then Jones reverted to pre-last week mode, thinking he had Jalen Ramsey playing man coverage. Still, instead, the veteran CB peeled off Parker and intercepted a noddle-armed throw to the sideline (Bourne was the intended target). The only thing that saved the play from being another pick-six was Demario Douglas making a diving stab at Ramsey.

- Tyreek Hill was held in check early but got the Dolphins on the board, scoring on a 42-yard lollipop from Tua. Hill blew past J.C. Jackson, who didn't manage to get a hand on the speedy WR, but rookie safety Marte Mapu provided no help, with his eyes in the backfield, a step forward, and then a desperate attempt to scramble back. No dice. They were both lost on the play that tied the game at 7.

- The "Goodnight, Irene" moment at 24-17 when Tua beautifully executed a play action fake and hit a wide-open Jaylen Waddle for a walk-in touchdown. Blame the entire secondary for that mess.

INJURIES

Ja"Whaun Bentley (hamstring 1st Q, lost for the game), Myles Bryant (leg 2nd Q - returned), DeVante Parker (head injury, 3rd Q, lost for the game), Kendrick Bourne (knee, 4th Q, lost for the game) - he'll have an MRI in the morning to determine severity.

ONE TAKE GIARDI WON'T REGRET LATER (EVEN IF THIS TEAM RIPS OFF THREE STRAIGHT WINS, WHICH IS VERY POSSIBLE)

They are what I thought they were - a flawed team that needs so much to go right for them to win these types of games. Their roster is not on the same level as the other AFC contenders. Just think about how last weekend's win over the Bills went. They got the early lead and protected the hell out of their quarterback with the playcalling - getting the ball out quickly and sideways a whole bunch. Occasionally, they could work play action and push the ball down the field, but that's not how the QB is built, how the receiver room is built, and indeed not how the offensive line is currently constructed. And you saw that today. The Dolphins defense scares no one. And yet, as I mentioned above, far too many of their offensive drives went nowhere. That's asking too much of a defense that is good but not at the level some were touting it as.