On Sunday, the Patriots lost a one point game to the visiting Miami Dolphins with a final score of 17-16. The loss highlighted both encouraging and concerning trends among the team. Here are three of each.
Three Up
1. QB – Mac Jones
Following a bizarre first pass attempt that saw Jones’ lateraling while trying to avoid a sack, his first career game went pretty smoothly. The rookie went 29/39, throwing for 281 yards and one touchdown. Ultimately, Jones put the Patriots in a position to win the ballgame. He showed the ability to make throws with pace and with touch and consistently made good decisions hitting check-downs for short gains on 1st and 2nd down. Occasional pressure on Jones from the Dolphins pass rush resulted in a few plays where Jones took hits and still delivered the ball. He led the Patriots to 11/16 on third downs. However, on a key 3rd down with four yards to go, Jones missed Jacboy Meyers low and wide on a quick play-action out route. This was a theme for the Patriots on Sunday, totaling four red zone trips with only one touchdown. Still, if it wasn’t for a costly late-game red zone fumble by Damien Harris, this could have very well been Jones’ first NFL win in a game he performed well.
2. WR – Nelson Agholor
Agohlar’s first preseason with the Patriots this year was all but encouraging. The wideout opened his stint with the team by nursing an ankle injury, keeping him out of preseason games and multiple practices. While there was concern with his health going into the season opener, Agholar ended up playing and making an immediate impact. He caught five passes for a team-high 74 yards, one of which was the lone touchdown for the Patriots on Sunday. Following a less than dynamic year for Patriot’s receivers in 2020, Agholar’s strong start is encouraging for the Patriots this year, particularly as an outside receiver where the patriots have struggled in past seasons. His success on the outside will lead to opportunities for complementary receivers like Jacoby Meyers to take advantage of slot opportunities. Good health moving forward is key for Agholar if he is to keep trending upward.
3. S- Kyle Dugger
The retirement of Patrick Chung in March, a step up in snaps for second-year safety Kye Dugger was to be expected. With size and speed at his position, Dugger is mostly used as a box safety. With an offseason to focus on pass coverage, Dugger is looking to make the jump in his second year as a defensive player that can serve multiple functions for the Patriots. Starting against the Dolphins this Sunday, his play was encouraging throughout. Dugger was tied for the lead in tackles with fellow safety Devin McCourty totaling seven, including six solo and one for a loss of yards. His performance up front contributed to the Patriots holding the Dolphins to under 80 yards rushing. With an aging Devin McCourty, Duggers success at the safety position going forward is something the Patriots are hoping continues. A strong, aggressive start with stats that show his impact is encouraging as he continues his second year in a big role.
Three Down
1. RB – Rhamondre Stevenson
Following a successful preseason, Stevenson was set to provide depth and power to the Patriots running core. However, his fumble on the team’s second offensive possession kept him sidelined and out of the action. Playing as a back-up to Damien Harris, Stevenson’s availability is key for the longevity of the Patriots starting running back. The Dolphins physical defensive front wore down Harris without Stevenson to fill his role as a back-up, potentially influencing Harris’ costly late-game fumble. With the departure of Sony Michel before the season started, Stevenson’s ability to protect the ball and be reliable are important for the entire running back group, not just him. A high task for the first-year rookie whose role is so important.
2. RT position
Trent Brown returned to the Patriots this year to fill the starting right tackle spot. On Sunday, he went down early with a calf injury that kept him out for the duration of the game. Justin Herron got the nod as his back-up and filled in. However, the Patriots eventually decided to go with third-stringer Yasir Durant as the game unfolded. Herron was not impactful in the run game and allowed pressure to reach Mac Jones, occasionally resulting in QB knockdowns. While Brown is questionable against the Jets in week two, an early injury to your starting right tackle and less than encouraging performances from his back-ups is not an ideal situation this early into the season. Brown’s health moving forward is incredibly important as the coaching staff showed a lack of faith in Herron as a back-up.
3. Overall Discipline
Discipline, which is usually a staple for Patriots teams of the past, was not on Sunday. Both teams ranked in the top two least penalized teams in the entire league, and that played a factor in the outcome. The Patriots committed eight penalties for 84 yards. A
number of offensive penalties including an illegal formation, showed a lack of focus and commitment to being disciplined. Fumbles were the other downfall of the Patriots on Sunday. Out of four fumbles, two were lost and turned over to the Dolphins. An early fumble by Rhamondre Stevenson kept him sidelined and unavailable to aid Damien Harris, potentially overworking the starter and resulting in his crucial red zone fumble late in the fourth. In a game that your rookie quarterback played well and protected the ball, a few costly fumbles is a hard way to lose. Not to mention this was a division opponent. It is not hard to believe if the Patriots had half the penalties and protected the ball that they would have won this game. Going forward the discipline of the team needs to go upward, which ultimately falls on the coaching staff and captains to emphasize the importance of it.
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