BSJ Game Report: Dolphins 15, Patriots 10 - New England coughs up lead for 4th straight loss

FOXBOROUGH — Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ loss to the Dolphins' in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

HEADLINES

Just a brutal loss: It was a crappy game but the Patriots had the lead for most of the game until the Dolphins went on a 15-play, 80-yard scoring drive that featured runs on the final seven plays to take the lead with 4:24. The Patriots appeared to have a go-ahead TD pass from Jacoby Brissett to Ja'Lynn Polk with a minute left but it was overturned. 

"Look, you guys can ask the referees about that," Jerod Mayo said. "You know, I thought it was close, it was close, but it was a correct call, in my opinion. But I have to go back and watch the film. I saw the replay live. Just, just a tough, tough call."

But don't let it distract you. The Dolphins tried just about every way to give you the game (missed field goal, aborted field goal, blocked punt, interception, untimely penalties) and the Patriots couldn't take advantage because in many ways they were worse, especially with 12 penalties for 105 yards.

The Patriots now drop to 1-5 and have dropped seven straight at home. Their last win at Gillette came Week 7 last year against the Bills.

"Obviously a very disappointing game," Mayo said. "I think there's no question we're tough, but we just have to be better from an execution standpoint. We've got to be able to execute in situations. We've got to be able to execute on a play-by-play basis, and we didn't do that. I would also say as the game wore on, our fundamentals began to slip, and that can be a combination of things. We'll watch the film with a critical guy, and we've just got to put a better team out there."

The offense was horrendous: Through three quarters, the Patriots had six first downs, were 1 of 9 on third down, had 153 total yards and 50 yards passing. Brissett at that point was 9 of 18 for 62 yards. 

The Patriots' first possession went for -5 yards, and then they scored their only touchdown on a 43-yard drive after Christian Gonzalez's interception. The net yards on the following drives: 0, 8, 8, 5, 50 (FG), 7. 78 total net yards on six drives.

"I think it's a combination of things," Mayo said. "It's not just one person. It's it's everyone just going out there and executing. It's not even knowing what to do. It's all right, a piece moves. We got to be able to identify that and go out there and execute."

Defense wilts in the second half: The Patriots' defense held the Dolphins to fewer than 50 yards on all six of their first-half possessions.

In the second half, the Dolphins got points on all three of their possessions: 56 yards, field goal; 57 yards, field goal; 80 yards touchdown. 

The Dolphins leading the time of possession 34:20 to 25:40 seemed to have a big role in that but the Dolphins were 3 of 3 before burning time and timeouts on their final possession.

"I know for a fact, fatigue played a part in this, in this game," Mayo said. "You think about Marte (Mapu) this being his first game and playing pretty much every snap? Yeah, I appreciate him doing that. But at the same time, like we got to get off the field. We got to be able to move the ball offensively. We have to be we have to win the time of possession game, or at least be close, which, once again, they controlled that."

TURNING POINT

The Patriots, leading 10-9 in the middle of the fourth quarter, had the Dolphins at 3rd and 13 on the Miami 43. There was confusion before the snap and then LB Christian Elliss tackled Raheem Mostert for a pass interference penalty. Dolphins scored the go-ahead after seven straight runs to take a 15-10 lead.

SECOND GUESS

First and 10 at the Miami 12 with 1:13 left, the Patriots threw four straight passes.

Their running backs each averaged over 7 yards per carry in the game: Rhamondre Stevenson (7.4) and Antonio Gibson (8.7).

THREE UP

CB Christian Gonzalez: Huntley isn't good, but Gonzalez did a nice job on Tyreek Hill most of the day and had an interception and almost another.

The running backs: Combined for 18 for 141 (7.8) and a score. 

WR Demario Douglas: Had a productive 6 for 59.

THREE DOWN

C Nick Leverett: After playing well in relief of David Andrews last week, Leverett was horrible in this game. PFF has him with 1 sack, 2 hits and 5 hurries allowed.

DE Keion White: Had at least two pressures but also had two huge personal foul penalties.

P Bryce Baringer: Thought he had a really poor game six punts, and only 1 was inside the 20. He had two brutal touchbacks and had a shank before halftime that should have led to a field goal but Miami botched the snap.

INJURIES

RB Rhamondre Stevenson (left shin): Left the game but returned before departing again.

TOP PLAYS

THREE TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

Both of these teams should be embarrassed: This was probably the worst football game I've ever covered, and I covered some brutal Dolphins teams. This wasn't NFL football. It was a terrible product, made even worse by a bad officiating crew and a brutal TV crew.

The home fans aren't happy: At least a third of the stadium had emptied by the time the game got interesting. Apathy could be setting in around here. It's been a bad product for a while.

It might very well be time for Drake Maye: I don't care the circumstances and I appreciate everything Jacoby Brissett has done. But something has to change and I don't think Mayo or Van Pelt is getting fired. So it's time for The Kid to play.