Another failed comeback drive was the story for the New England Patriots in Sunday’s crushing 24-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
It was like déjà vu in Foxborough with the visiting Dolphins going up early, and the Patriots attempting to rally in the fourth quarter. The same song and dance had the same outcome with the Patriots’ hopes being crushed in a failed fourth-down conversion on a potential game-winning drive.
Buy Patriots TicketsMiami got pressure consistently on Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, who still played behind a makeshift offensive line, despite having his two guards, Mike Onwenu and Cole Strange, back in the lineup. Trent Brown was missing at left tackle, and veteran Calvin Anderson continued to take top reps at right tackle.
Anderson struggled all game long and was handled relatively easily by Dolphins linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel. After being sacked four times, Jones finished the game with 31 completions for 231 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The other Patriots turnover belonged to rookie wide receiver Demario Douglas, who fumbled early in the game.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Patriots held their own against a high-powered Dolphins offense. Rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez especially stood out in his ability to hang with Tyreek Hill. He even grabbed his first NFL interception.
Losing back-to-back games at home is a horrible start for the Patriots. They already have the hardest schedule in the league, and it’s going to be even more difficult to dig themselves out of their current hole. Even worse, they are now ranked dead last in the AFC East division.
This clearly isn’t the start they envisioned, and they’ll have their work cut when attempting to change it.
