Nonetheless, on the landing that iced the sport, Jonathan Jones anticipates that Jack Jones will do the identical factor as Bryant, passing off the brand new primary (Hill) to the veteran Jones, whereas Jack Jones takes the brand new quantity two receiver (Waddle). As an alternative, each Joneses take Hill, and the protection bust results in a walk-in landing to place the sport out of attain at 31-17.
The Patriots protection had a great sport plan that, regardless of the additional landing on the scoreboard, was simpler on a per-play foundation than the primary assembly. Sadly, there have been a handful of important psychological miscues that led to explosive performs for the Dolphins.
We are able to recognize the technique from the coaches and the hassle by gamers to face in the course of the ring with the Dolphins offense. Nonetheless, just like the offense, it wasn’t replicable for 4 quarters.
Fast-Hit Movie Notes From Patriots-Dolphins:
– The damage to WR Kendrick Bourne (torn ACL) appears like the ultimate nail within the coffin for the Patriots season. At 2-6, the Pats can be with out Bourne, Matthew Judon (biceps), Christian Gonzalez (torn labrum), and Marcus Jones (torn labrum) for the period. Bourne was having a profession yr and can now head into free company subsequent offseason whereas recovering from a serious damage. It stinks on each stage. Bourne is a enjoyable participant who was a pleasure to cowl and is one of some difference-makers on offense.
– The Patriots continued utilizing a excessive movement price with movement on a 3rd of their offensive performs (66.7%) whereas operating 11 play-action drop-backs (6-of-10, 59 yards, INT) with a mixture of inside zone, split-flow zone, entice/counter, and hole/duo schemes. General, the same rush/RPO/play-action plan as final week vs. Buffalo. Clearly, with worse execution.
– For the second-straight matchup, the Dolphins defensive entrance received the trenches battles over the Patriots blockers regardless of largely carrying over the O-Line continuity from final week. The Pats solely generated 13 of their 77 dashing yards earlier than contact, and so they struggled to generate motion on commonplace base blocks and doubles, with the Dolphins enjoying their typical model of gap-and-a-half entrance mechanics. With out the movement/misdirection and a stable Rhamondre sport, this run sport was going nowhere on Sunday. The 34.4% stress price was again within the hazard zone, too, however a few of that falls on the QB holding the ball.
– One underlying weak point is the subpar blocking from the tight ends. The Pats tight ends are liabilities within the run sport, both as lead blockers on the level of assault or on kick-outs towards edge defenders. It is easy to say they need to reduce the burden on them, however these are largely routine edge blocks that want a minimum of stalemates to execute the combos/doubles they need to work on the inside, and so they give them a head of steam with movement/sifts to guide block. Even big-play machine Pharaoh Brown has his fair proportion of whiffs. It has been an issue all yr.
– The opposite underlying weak hyperlink on this offense is the absence of a third-down again, which the personnel division may’ve simply addressed within the offseason. The learn usually takes Mac to the one-on-one for the again vs. a linebacker, and Rhamondre Stevenson would not persistently present the juice to create separation on the high of routes – it is simply not his sport. With a pocket passer, you want a James White to create mismatches for simple first downs.
– LT Trent Brown is enjoying harm with ankle and knee accidents to the identical leg. Whether or not it is for his game-day roster bonuses, for his crew, or each, I nonetheless give him credit score for gutting it out. With that stated, this tape wasn’t type to Brown, who gave up a team-high 4 QB pressures (three hits, hurry), and this was considered one of his worst run-blocking video games of the season – one other stable starter for this crew who’s now compromised by accidents.
– RT Michael Onwenu was stable as soon as once more at proper sort out. His sack allowed got here very late when the sport was already determined. I hoped for extra push on the best aspect between him and Sow within the operating sport, although. To be honest, Sow was solely in there for 9 run-blocking snaps (Mafi was in for the opposite 12).
– Belichick stated the plan was to rotate the rookie guards, however apart from to get him sport reps for improvement, I am undecided what they’re seeing that might make them do this. Sow has been the higher participant. I had Sow permitting one hurry to Christian Wilkins on 20 pass-blocking snaps. He must work on his hand energy/placement to maintain blocks within the operating sport, however he performs with a great base and talent in move safety. Sow even picked up a stunt, Mafi’s kryptonite, on Kendrick Bourne’s landing. Sow has an opportunity to be a beginning guard with extra approach work. Possibly Scar will work with him and Cole Unusual subsequent offseason.
– LG Cole Unusual’s limitations inside resulting from his linear/skinny body are what they’re at this level. I had him giving up floor twice, one QB hit, and a rush, and he had one other psychological error on the identical blitz Fangio bought him on in Week 2. Trent blocks down when the sting drops, which ought to’ve allowed Unusual to dam all the way down to the blitzer, however he opened outdoors once more and let the blitzer by means of his A Hole. Once more! Add one other three QB pressures to his ledger.
– This was Rhamondre Stevenson’s finest sport when it comes to creating yards after contact. Stevenson generated a season-high 3.2 yards after contact (32-of-39) with two compelled missed tackles. He turned a destructive play right into a +6 achieve, completed by means of contact so as to add yards to a +11 achieve, and practically dragged two defenders into the tip zone within the fourth quarter. Though the passing sport shortcomings are there, this was nearer to 2022 Rhamondre as a ball service.
– The Patriots proceed to do no matter they will to get the ball in WR Demario Douglas’s arms. He led the crew in targets, catches, and snaps by large receivers (41). It is good to see them reside with the rising pains, as there are nonetheless route-running psychological errors. However there’s additionally the power to get open rapidly on features of 13 (slant) and 12 (juke) yards that no one else brings. Douglas is their most dynamic mover on movie, and it is not significantly shut.
– All TE Pharaoh Brown does within the passing sport is make large performs. Brown hit the Pats second explosive the place they ran a “scissors” idea off under-center play-action, and he made a troublesome catch in some site visitors on a ball that was barely late/behind him. I additionally love the boot-action drive starter they’ve used the final two weeks, this time for a nine-yard achieve on first down.
– WR Jalen Reagor’s velocity interprets on movie. He has good go off the road and might get open deep, however you marvel if he’ll ever see these vertical targets enjoying with this quarterback. Though he has some explosiveness, Reagor’s third down goal (third QTR, 6:21) on an in-cut is an instance of a contested/tight-window goal vs. man protection that a greater receiver catches by means of contact. The ball was there previous the sticks to maneuver the chains, however Reagor drifted a bit by means of his break, permitting the defender to contest the catch level. The Pats receivers do not make sufficient of these robust catches for his or her quarterback.
– Nothing of observe from WR DeVante Parker (one catch, 14 yards) and TE Mike Gesicki (2 catches, 11 yards). Apart from the game-winner towards Buffalo for Gesicki, it has been a season of nothing for 2 gamers the crew is paying a mixed $11.6 million in money this season. No less than Gesicki is accountable and prepared to face the music after video games. I will give him that. It is troubling that the Patriots have not seen sufficient behind the scenes to offer Kayshon Boutte and Tyquan Thornton an opportunity to play over Parker.
– LB Ja’Whaun Bentley was glorious in his 20 snaps earlier than leaving the sport with a hamstring damage. Bentley logged 4 run tackles (one stuff) in simply eight run protection snaps – that is a wild ratio. It could be robust to see Bentley miss time. He is a very enjoyable participant to observe each week.
– One other stable efficiency by Christian Barmore, who beat the RG clear with a swipe-rip transfer for a sack and logged 5 stuffs within the run sport. Barmore’s upper-body energy to press blocks has actually improved, and he even held up enjoying the nostril on this one. He is on a heater.
– Rookie DL Keion White is a little bit of a tweener. He is bought a playmaking gear with two hurries, a TFL with nice recognition on a jet sweep, and one other stuff on a zone run. However his energy/leverage to carry the purpose of assault in a three-point stance makes it troublesome to ascertain him as a hand-in-the-dirt DE full-time. My guess is that they’ll choose him enjoying standup EDGE on early downs whereas shifting inside to hurry in apparent passing conditions.
– S Kyle Dugger made the performs that got here to him, with Tua being fooled by the post-snap spin and disguise on his interception. He additionally made a great red-zone stuff when he learn the movement popping out on his aspect of the formation appropriately. However there are nonetheless too many cases the place he is baited/drifts out of place as a zone defender— a boom-or-bust participant.
– LBs Jahlani Tavai and Anfernee Jennings proceed to do their factor on the sting towards the run, however every missed a sort out in area in protection (Jennings’s was on Tyreek Hill, so we’ll give him a move). The sting duo mixed for 4 stuffs and largely did their jobs to decelerate outdoors zone/crack toss schemes that Miami likes to run.
– LB Mack Wilson got here to play on this one after Bentley left the sport. Wilson logged six tackles, three being stuffs, and was a lot better at taking over blocks and discovering the ball towards the run. He has some juice turning the nook as an edge rusher—considered one of his higher video games as a Patriot.
– Deep security stays a serious challenge, and Marte Mapu’s audition as a backend defender did not go nicely in any respect. Tua additionally missed a piece achieve the place Jabrill Peppers was operating deep because the crosser was creating proper in entrance of him. This protection misses Devin McCourty badly.
– CB J.C. Jackson had a tough sport. He was focused a team-high 9 instances, permitting 5 catches for 94 yards, two touchdowns, and a DPI ultimately zone. The DPI was just a little tender, however that jersey tug will get known as. He bought caught leaping the movement/play-action on the Hill TD, was spun round by Jaylen Waddle on one other route, and twice, the Dolphins had large runs on crack toss to his aspect the place he did not exchange the sting/drive. Jackson might be joyful he will not see this Dolphins offense once more this season.
– CB Jack Jones had probably the most snaps lined up throughout from Tyreek Hill (11) and did not enable a single catch. He was good on this sport, with a near-INT and two stops, till he was concerned within the protection bust that led to a walk-in TD for Waddle – blouses.
– Pressures allowed: Brown (4), Unusual (2), Andrews (2, sack), Mafi (1), Onwenu (sack), Sow (1); QB pressures: Dugger (2, sack), White (2), Barmore (sack), Tavai (hurry).
– Protection: Jackson (9/5/94/2 TDs), Dugger (6/5/48, INT), Jon Jones (8/5/37/TD, PBU), Bryant (6/5/35), Jack Jones (2/1/31, TD, PBU), Bentley (3/3/24), Jennings (3/3/19), Tavai (3/1/9, PBU), Wilson (1/1/7).
