On the surface, the short-handed Patriots' defense did a solid job against the high-powered Dolphins offense on their own track.
5.3 yards per play.
5 of 14 on third down.
Those are traditional numbers. If you're an old-school football person like Bill Belichick, you'd probably take those in a heartbeat.
The problem is, this is a new age in the NFL — especially with the Dolphins. Traditional numbers are mostly meaningless.
The important ones:
77 plays
3 of 3 on fourth down
138 yards, 2 touchdowns on five plays.
Basically, it was Mike McDaniel telling Belichick, "Your traditional defense is so cute. But who cares what are yards per play are if we average 27.6 on the ones that actually determine the game?"
The Patriots had the Dolphins all day where they wanted them — and the Dolphins did not care.
On their first drive of the second quarter, the Patriots had the Dolphins at 3rd and 14 twice and 3rd and goal from the 6 and it didn't matter. Miami still scored.
Next drive ... 2nd and 14 was converted into three points.
Second half ... 3rd and 9 converted and led to a TD. 3rd and 13 converted — no points, but the Patriots had to stay on the field and roast in the heat.
On the final scoring drive, another 3rd and 9 was converted before the touchdown.
Traditionally, the Patriots' defense played well. But when your opponent is decidedly untraditional, does it matter?
A look at the biggest breakdowns via game film and analysis before player/unit ratings and 3 up/3 down:
42 yards 1! 2-6-NE 42 (:28) (Shotgun) T.Tagovailoa pass deep left to T.Hill for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
I didn't mind JC Jackson respecting the run because that's part of his job, but Marte Mapu showed he's a rookie by having his eyes in the backfield. By the time he got them back on Tyreek Hill, Cheetah was gone. This ain't the Big Sky Conference no more! Against this team and that player, Mapu needs to look pass first and run second — there are plenty up front who can help there.
31 yards 4Q 3-1-NE 31 (2:49) (Shotgun) T.Tagovailoa pass deep middle to J.Waddle for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
The death blow. Jack Jones' bust is obvious, but there should have been a safety in the middle of the field (Kyle Dugger) because this was not a zero blitz play. Definitely playing the run hard, but the Patriots weren't selling out. One player was not in man coverage and not crashing the line: Dugger. Not sure he would have helped without Jones in coverage, but it would have been better than this bust.
23 yards 3Q 3-9-MIA 46 (10:52) (Shotgun) T.Tagovailoa pass deep right to J.Waddle to NE 31 for 23 yards (J.Jackson).
Straight man coverage, and Jackson was turned around like a top.
22 yards 3Q 1-10-MIA 23 (12:40) (Shotgun) T.Tagovailoa pass deep left to T.Hill to MIA 45 for 22 yards (M.Bryant).
As easy as it gets against Cover 2, especially with Jahlani Tavai not on his landmark.
20 yards 3Q 3-13-MIA 17 (3:02) (Shotgun) T.Tagovailoa pass short right to S.Ahmed to MIA 37 for 20 yards (J.Peppers).
Just a brutal 15-yard missed tackle by Tavai, who actually made a great play to be there. This was a kick-ass play by the Dolphins with Hill a decoy on the other side of the field.
Here are the positional ratings against the Dolphins:
DEFENSE
Defensive line (3 out of 5)
Not enough QB pressure out of this group and Godchaux and Guy were very quiet, but a matchup with the Dolphins is mostly about the edge and the Patriots were solid there with Anfernee Jennings and Keion White. The rookie wasn't perfect but he was very impactful and very promising. ... Christian Barmore continued his recent upswing. Needs to watch his temper a little bit. Man, he was still fired up after the game.
Linebackers (2.5 out of 5)
Shame to see Ja'Whaun Bentley go out even though after the game he told me he was going OK. ... That put too much on Jahlani Tavai, who is normally limited against faster teams. He got exposed on a handful of plays. ... Mack Wilson had a knockdown and stuff, which was promising.
Secondary (1.5 out of 5)
Outside of the interception, which was part gift from Tua and part nice wrinkle by Steve Belichick/Jerod Mayo, you can pretty much trace Kyle Dugger's best plays to near the line of scrimmage (five), but he always has some big issues on 2 or 3 crucial plays that really hurt. Again, I would like to see him in the box more and Jalen Mills at free safety. Mapu is not ready after getting roasted by Hill. ... JC Jackson is good in man coverage, but his on-field discipline is just lacking to the point it feels like teams are going after him like he's wearing a Chargers jersey. ... Might as well call Jack Jones, JC Jr., or JC Light — same amount of risky and bad plays each game. Just waiting for them to give up big plays.... Two huge missed tackles by Jabrill Peppers, including the goal-line TD.
TWO UP
Christian Barmore: Three heaters in a row.
Keion White: Could he and Barmore have some inside/outside thing starting up? Would be fun to watch.
THREE DOWN
Marte Mapu: Good learning experience for the rookie. And you know he will learn from it.
Jack Jackson: The DPI was rough, but I think he has a deserved reputation by now. He is extremely handy.
Jack Jones: A penalty along with some busts was not great, but he's still learning.