Ten Takeaways From the Patriots Week 5 Loss to the Dolphins

Following a 1-0 start to the Jerod Mayo Era for the New England Patriots, they have now lost four straight games to fall to 1-4 on the season. It was a very winnable game for the Patriots, which they found a way to lose 15-10. New England could not move the ball on offense when needed or stop Miami when it could have secured a victory. That combination contributed to another loss.

The Patriots took a 7-3 lead with 3:55 to play in the first quarter. They did not trail until 4:24 remaining in the fourth quarter. But unfortunately for New England, the team that is leading for most of the game doesn’t count on the record, only the team that leads at the end.

Ten takeaways from the Week 5 matchup:

Also Read – History, Common Players, and Fun Facts for Patriots-Dolphins

A Lot of Bad Football

Before getting into any specifics of the game, one overall impression was just how poor the quality of football was. The Miami Dolphins were 2-for-11 on third-down conversions, threw an interception, fumbled three times, missed a field goal, and had a punt blocked. Yet they were the team that emerged victorious.

New England committed 12 penalties that were accepted, costing them 105 yards. It was indicative of how disorganized the team looked throughout the game.

The two quarterbacks, Jacoby Brissett of the Patriots and Tyler Huntley of the Dolphins, combined to complete 36-of-65 passes (55.4%) for 354 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception.

In addition to the play on the field, even the broadcast felt like a preseason game. This very much had the look and feel of two teams drafting near the top of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Strong Rebound for Rhamondre Stevenson

After fumbling in four straight games, Antonio Gibson replaced Rhamondre Stevenson in the starting lineup by Antonio Gibson. However, it appeared more of a symbolic benching than anything. Stevenson played the second drive of the game and immediately did damage, scoring on a 33-yard touchdown run. He finished the game with 12 carries for 89 yards and a touchdown. Most importantly, he did not fumble, putting an end to his five-game streak dating back to last season.

The shiftiness on this TD run from Rhamondre Stevenson!! 🤩

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/2BYPnH7ZFG

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 6, 2024

Why Not Run More?

Antonio Gibson received the start due to Stevenson’s fumbling issues. He picked up seven yards on the first play of the game. New England then attempted two pass plays, both resulting in sacks and punted on fourth down. Stevenson came in for the second series and scored on a 33-yard run. This should have made it obvious that the run game was going to be the key to New England’s success on Sunday.

Gibson and Stevenson combined for 141 yards on 18 carries. When the two running backs are averaging over 7.8 yards per attempt, why not stick with it? Instead, they had Jacoby Brissett run 37 pass plays. This resulted in two sacks, 160 yards on 18-for-34 passing, and a 10-yard run by Brissett. Some of it had to do with penalties putting them in unfavorable spots, but when one option is working well, and the other is not, the one working should be utilized on more than a third of offensive downs.

Penalty Issues

The Patriots were penalized 12 times for 105 yards. New England has won six games all-time while reaching both totals, However, five of those six games were won by teams that went on to play in the Super Bowl. The sixth game was won by the 1978 New England Patriots, who finished 11-5 and won the AFC East. In other words, those teams all had a larger margin for error than the 1-4 2024 squad.

To make matters worse, many were extremely avoidable. Officials flagged New England for too many men on the field, two false starts, roughing the passer, and a horse-collar tackle. The two personal fouls were both on defensive end Keion White, and neither was disputable. The Patriots received five holding penalties as well.

White’s two penalties came on the same drive and led to a Miami Dolphins field goal. Christian Elliss received a pass interference call on a third and 13 situation on the Dolphins’ lone touchdown drive. And the offensive penalties led to getting away from the run game and playing away from New England’s strength. An undisciplined performance all around.

Christian Gonzalez is Elite

There has not been a lot to feel great about in the 2024 New England Patriots season. However, one major bright spot is the play of second-year cornerback Christian Gonzalez. He consistently is tasked with covering the other team’s top weapon and repeatedly impresses. Miami targeted Gonzalez 11 times, resulting in only five receptions. Tyreek Hill finished with six receptions for 69 yards, but felt like a non-factor throughout the afternoon. Gonzalez regsitered his first interception of the season. Sharing a field with Miami’s Jalen Ramsey, Gonzalez was clearly the best cornerback in the game.

Christian Gonzalez picks off Huntley!

📺: #MIAvsNE on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/QpjbbHrc5y

— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024

Mixed Bag on Special Teams

Jeremy Springer’s special teams unit had another strong afternoon for New England. Bryce Baringer continued booming punts, averaging 51.7 yards on five punts, including one inside the 20. Brenden Schooler blocked a Jake Bailey punt with an outstanding individual effort. Christian Elliss made a solid stop on a kickoff return. Marcus Jones picked up 15 yards on his lone punt return.

Overall, this season’s special teams have been a huge improvement from Cam Achord’s units in recent years. Joe Cardona, Joey Slye, Bryce Baringer, Brenden Schooler, and Christian Elliss would all be under consideration for Pro Bowl spots through Week 5.

Not all went well against Miami, however. Slye missed a 33-yard field goal attempt. The punt return unit got called for too many men on the field, giving the Dolphins a first down. And Baringer punted from the Miami 43-yard line into the endzone for a touchback in the fourth quarter. The Dolphins scored their touchdown on that drive.

Things have certainly improved in 2024, but Sunday was a mixed bag.

Miami’s Touchdown Drive

With 12 minutes to play in the fourth quarter, New England left 10-9 and had the ball at Miami’s 43-yard line. The touchback punt from Baringer allowed the Dolphins to start at their own 20. Despite the Patriots’ offense getting heavily criticized for their performance, the defense just had to prevent an 80-yard touchdown drive to give the Patriots an excellent chance of victory. They were unable to do so.

After an offensive holding penalty on first down, Tyreek Hill made his first big play of the game, a 21-yard reception for a first down.  New England forced a third-and-five, but Huntley found Jonnu Smith for an 8-yard game and another first down. Another penalty on Miami created a third-and-13 for the Dolphins. Linebacker Christian Elliss was lined up on the wrong side, scrambled to get to his man in time to cover him, and was called for defensive pass interference on the play. A third first-down on the drive.

Rookie Jaylen Wright rushed for gains of three and 16 yards for another first down. Two plays later, Wright rushed for another eight yards and another first down, the fifth of the drive. Fullback Alex Ingold, who had blocked spectacularly on Wright’s runs, took a handoff on the next play for an easy touchdown run up the middle.

Alec Ingold gives the @MiamiDolphins the lead!

📺: #MIAvsNE on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/G4Adl9umQz

— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024

The Patriots had two more possessions to take back the lead but were unable to do so.

Ja’Lynn Polk’s Touchdown Overturned

For all their struggles, New England put together an impressive drive following Ingold’s go-ahead touchdown. Brissett completed a 13-yard pass to Ja’Lynn Polk. Rhamondre Stevenson ran for 11 yards, followed by Antonio Gibson picking up a 10-yard gain. Brissett found DeMario Douglas for gains of 13 and 19 yards. New England had the ball first-and-ten at Miami’s 12-yard line.

After an incomplete pass to Austin Hooper, Jacoby Brissett found Ja’Lynn Polk in the back of the end zone. The official ruled it a touchdown for a Patriots lead. But replay review determined despite Polk getting two feet in, his second heal then touched out of bounds, making the pass incomplete.

Ja'Lynn Polk catches the TD for the #Patriots, but it is called an incomplete. pic.twitter.com/SfZ8NgOps4

— New England Sports Fellow (@NESportsFellow) October 6, 2024

A Hunter Henry false start was sandwiched between two incomplete passes. The New England Patriots turned the ball over on downs.

Game Ends in Fitting Fashion

The Patriots defense forced a quick three-and-out for the Dolphins. New England got the ball back at their 43-yard line with 29 seconds remaining in regulation. Jacoby Brissett hit Kayshon Boutte for a 21-yard gain, then quickly spiked the ball to stop the clock. With 13 seconds to play and needing a touchdown, Brissett completed a pass to Hunter Henry at the Dolphins’ 11-yard line. The tight end had no chance to score or get out of bounds. Time expired before New England was able to run another play. It was a nice pass and catch for the Patriots, but the worst possible timing for it. Brissett passed on DeMario Douglas near the sideline and Ja’Lynn Polk as he ran toward the end zone to target Henry. The pass was complete, and the game was over. It was an anticlimactic finish to a game that warranted just that, despite the close 15-10 final score.

New England Patriots Stars of the Game

The New England Patriots get three stars, even in a loss. Week 5’s trio:

First Star – Christian Gonzalez

Second Star – Brenden Schooler

Third Star – Vederian Lowe