The Patriots were making strides.
New England spent the past month creeping toward mediocrity as it compiled competitive losses and wins against inferior opponents. There were signs of development on Jerod Mayo’s team, including a much-improved defensive showing against the Chicago Bears in Week 10 and professional-level offensive output against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 11.
That improvement came to a screeching halt.
The Patriots were embarrassed in a noncompetitive 34-15 loss to the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The final score, while not close, was closer than the game itself. New England allowed the first 31 points of the game, including a 24-point second quarter. Over at halftime.
It was a massive step backward.
The Patriots looked like poorly coached. Again. They got pantsed by a second straight offensive-minded guru in Mike McDaniel. Calls for Mayo and first-year defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington surely will get louder.
Covington’s defense was abysmal. New England’s secondary allowed Jaylen Waddle, Jonnu Smith and others to run uncovered and find holes anywhere and everywhere. Miami recorded 7.3 yards per pass against Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Kyle Dugger and the defensive backfield.
New England also committed more than a dozen penalties with 10 accepted for 75 yards. There were killers like the Vederian Lowe hold, which negated a 19-yard Rhamondre Stevenson screen, and a third-down offside on Anfernee Jennings, which set up Miami with first-and-goal.
The offensive line, which finally gained continuity in the last three weeks, was horrid. The talent-depleted group couldn’t pass protect (four sacks), run block or avoid penalties. It looked like a group made up of players who failed to make the 53-man roster out of training camp — oh yeah, three of the five did fail to make an initial roster.
There were miscommunications between rookie quarterback Drake Maye and pass-catchers (DeMario Douglas) and a few more head-scratching play-calls to go along with it.
The Patriots were not going to be judged on wins and losses this season. New England always was going to be judged on improvement and development. Unfortunately for them, they’re worse off after Week 12 than they were entering it.
