Patriots vs. Dolphins Snaps & Grades: 'Strange' Ending; Who's Failing?

Patriots Country breaks down the numbers and possible meanings behind the Pats’ playing time in New England’s Week 2 matchup with the Miami Dolphins.

FOXBORO — Following their 24-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 2 at Gillette Stadium, the New England Patriots continue to take stock into their performance on both sides of the ball.

Having turned in a performance littered with positives and negatives, there are still plenty of areas in which the Pats will seek improvement. While game-film analysis will be the main focus, a look at playing time may assist the team in helping devise effective strategies moving forward.

Here is a look at the Patriots offensive snap counts, along with some possible insight on New England’s future game-planning.

OFFENSE

On offense, the Pats overall snap count was 74 versus the Dolphins.

Quarterback

Mac Jones finished the game having completed 31 of 42 passes for 231 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Though the aforementioned totals may typically be considered an adequate stat line, Jones' handful of ill-timed throws and apparent inability to make the necessary plays in the clutch have some gleefully questioning whether he is "the man for the job." However, those arguing the point in good conscience must acknowledge the makeshift nature of the offensive line behind which he has been playing. Whether his detractors would like to admit it or not, Jones has performed better both under pressure and against the blitz under coordinator Bill O'Brien's tutelage — completing 72 percent of his passes in such conditions. His third-quarter pass intercepted by Miami cornerback Xavien Howard was both a poor and costly decision. Still, the good outweighed the bad for the Pats starter in Week 2. 

Grade: B-

Running Backs

In theory, New England's running game should be the catalyst for sparking O'Brien's offense by gaining yards on early downs to facilitate play action. However, with the offensive line struggling to block for the run as much as in pass protection, the Pats running game has been stuck in a holding pattern. As such, it is hard to Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott collectively averaged 3.2 yards per carry against a Miami run defense that was violated by the Los Angeles Chargers for more than 230 yards. Stevenson rushed 15 times for 50 yards with a two-yard scoring run, while adding three catches for 10 yards as a backfield receiver. Elliott rushed for only 13 yards on five carries. Even with the line's struggles, the Patriots rushers must muster more than that to awaken what has the potential to be a formidable running game. 

Grade: C

Receivers

DeVante Parker not only went the distance by playing each of the Pats 74 snaps on offense, he also led all receivers with six catches and 57 yards. Beyond that, the Pats output at the position was rather pedestrian. Kendrick Bourne (38 snaps) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (44 snaps) each totaled less than 30 receiver yards, while highly-touted rookie Demario Douglas was limited to two catches for 19 yards after his costly first-half fumble. Ultimately, no member of New England's receiving corps found the end zone in Week 2 — a fact which adequately sums up the group's forgettable performance.

Grade: C-

Offensive Line

While both Cole Strange and Michael Onwenu returned to their familiar spots along the offensive line, the Pats unit still looked like a group continuing to find its identity. In addition to Strange (left guard) and Onwenu (right guard,) New England started newcomer Vederian Lowe at left tackle (in place of the injured Trent Brown) with captain David Andrews at center and Calvin Anderson (who recently returned from a lengthy stay on the non-football illness list) at right tackle. Anderson was credited with allowing a sack on Jones, while surrendering three quarterback hits. Strange, Lowe and reserve guard Atonio Mafi were each charged with allowing sacks, while center David Andrews allowed a hit on Jones. In each of the instances in which Miami's pass rush reached Jones, the Pats quarterback had less than 2.5 seconds to react. The Pats line struggled to adequately block for the run game, as well. 

Grade: D

Photo Cred: USA Today Sports Images

Tight Ends

Once again, Hunter Henry stood above the cast of New England's pass-catchers. The newly-elected team captain was present for 92 percent of their snaps on offense — earning six catches for 52 yards and the Pats' only receiving touchdown. Former Dolphin Mike Gesicki also performed well, catching five passes for 33 yards and one nearly-successful lateral to Strange in the closing moments Sunday night's loss. Through the season's first two games, the tight ends have been the most consistent and efficient positional group in O'Brien's offense. 

Grade: B+

DEFENSE

On defense, the Pats overall snap count was <> versus the Dolphins.

Defensive Line

After keeping Philadelphia's run game in check for Week 1, the Pats defensive line surrendered 145 yards to the Dolphins on the ground in this matchup. Miami's rushing attack was led by Raheem Mostert, who gashed the Patriots for 121 of those yards and two rushing touchdowns. While the interior struggled to secure the running game, the edge largely failed to make contact with Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. 

Grade: C

Linebackers

The Patriots difficulties with tackling were not limited to the interior. The linebackers also struggled in that department. Despite leading all players at the position by taking 63 snaps, positional captain Ja'Whaun Bentley had his issues with missed tackles, while Jahlani Tavai toiled in his efforts to set the edge. Though their collective performance was not much better than their peers along the defensive line, Matthew Judon's sack and two quarterback hits earned them the higher half-grade. Josh Uche also added four pressures off the edge.

Grade: C+

Cornerbacks

Having entered this contest without the services of Jonathan Jones, New England's corners faced a tall task in attempting to contain speedy Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill. That mission became nearly impossible when the Pats lost second-year corner Marcus Jones to a shoulder injury in the first half. Yet, the Pats successfully mobilized their "next man up" mentality by moving Myles Bryant from the slot to the boundary, while charging rookie Christian Gonzalez on Hill for much of the night — holding the outspoken wideout to five catches for 40 yards and a short-yardage touchdown. Gonzalez finished the night with six tackles, a pass-defended, and his first career interception while playing on all 63 plays on defense. Overall, the Pats corners were not perfect. Still, they more than held their own against a dangerous group of Miami receivers. 

Grade: B+

Safeties

While the cornerbacks may have understandably earned a slightly higher grade, the Pats safeties did an adequate job of completing their Week 2 assignment of defending the middle of the field against a Dolphins offense known for its big-play prowess. New England used a three-safety set to prevent Miami from moving the ball into the intermediate part of the gridiron for sudden big-yardage plays. Unfortunately for the Patriots, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel's offense was able to use the short-to-intermediate areas to put the Pats defense into a bind. Still, the safeties largely held their ground, led by Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger — who both played 100 percent of the team's snaps on defense. All-purpose defense backs Jalen Mills and Adrian Phillips each saw the field for only 13 snaps. Yet, they made the most of their time, each contributing a pair of solo tackles. 

Grade: B

SPECIAL TEAMS

Special teams ace Brenden Schooler, who delivered New England's highlight of the night on a textbook block of a 49-yard field goal attempt by Miami kicker Jason Sanders. As Miami was setting up for kick attempt, Schooler aligned out wide and rapidly closed on his target at the snap. He blocked the attempt, while Dugger raced to recover at the Miami 39-yard line. It was the Patriots first blocked field goal attempt since fellow special teamer Cody Davis blocked a 58-yard attempt against the Los Angeles Chargers in Dec. 2020. IN addition to recognizing Schooler's brilliance, special teams coaches Joe Judge, Cam Achord and Joe Houston deserve highest marks for their ingenuity on what many are calling the special teams play of the week. 

Grade: A

Up Next:

The Patriots will carry an 0-2 record into the "green" side of the Meadolwands for a 1 p.m. kickoff against the New York Jets (1-0) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.