A bit of bad luck, a few good drives, but a lot of concerns, as the Patriots lose 7 to 20 to the Miami Dolphins.

There is plenty to take away from Sunday’s game, and there wasn’t a tonne of positives, but I promise you I will get to those later.

It would appear that the Patriots have not yet ironed out those offensive line kinks, that we have spent all off-season worrying over, (well since Shaq Mason left maybe) and Cole Strange may have had his first stint on the naughty chair, after there was a sack on Mac. He did however, re-enter the game later on, so maybe that dog house Bill used last year for all those running backs has been dismantled. 

But the two sacks on Mac can’t only be put on the shoulders of the carousel-ing offensive line, Jones’s pocket awareness needs to up it’s a game a little too. 

The Patriots have good players on the offense, Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne, Ramondre Stevenson, Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith to just name some… and these are names of really good NFL players, but it just isn’t getting pieced together. Many want to blame the coaching, possibly the actual playbook, and as much as I am really loath to, this morning I’m not feeling greatly confident on how it’s going in that department. 

Myles Bryant did not show his best light this game, and he got the call up over a developing fan favourite, in rookie Marcus Jones. A badly missed tackle that resulted in a first down for the Fins wasn’t good at all, but then interfering with a very possible Devin McCourty interception, sends his name to the top of most peoples bad list. And whilst Jon Jones, Ja’Whaun Bentley and Kyle Dugger played a mostly, good one, that late game coming together of a backfield player sandwich, was not pretty

Okay, you want some positive sparkle dusted all over that possibly *bleep* show? 

I got ya covered you lovely lot!

The Patriots did manage a better job of closing up the run game this time. And whilst he was frustrated at not being put in much, Kendrick Bourne can definitely out run guys, and Mac Jones can in fact air it out!

Now, Duke Riley may have taken credit for a Mac missed throw to Jakobi Meyers, but I’m afraid dear Riley, that’s what it was. Mac threw a not so great, pass to Meyers and it bounced off Riley’s butt. I’m sorry but you can’t take credit for a butt bounce, there really was no technique displayed there.

And whilst we mention the lower posterior, we are all sending good karma to Kyle Dugger for an eye watering… plum hit. 

Speaking of Dugger, whilst he admitted to taking a poor angle on Waddle, he did make some great plays. Especially mid second quarter, where his ball awareness was tightly focused, and he was on the running back almost before the hand off, and taking him down with impressiveness.  

Deatrich Wise showed he is worthy of his captainship with some glorious sack play and pressure on Tua, and Matthew Judon continues to be… well Matthew Judon!

And, as for my favourite topic, tight endage, whilst the Patriots ran plenty of two tight end sets, we didn’t see the full effect just yet, but both Jonnu and Hunter had a flash or two. The third quarter in particular, had Smith on a powerful run from a short pass. And whilst Hunter may have conceded to a false start, he attempted to redeem himself with a great block, giving Nelson Agholor breathing room on a run. At the beginning of the second quarter when Mac threw it his way for the second time, it appeared to take six Dolphins players to finally get Hunter to a stop. 

So, let’s liken it to making pancakes. The first one always comes out a little wonky or overcooked, or both. So in the heat of Miami, maybe the Patriots over cooked it. The batter is good, the pan is solid and has great potential, and with the right temperature beneath, you can make the most perfect and delicious, fluffy goodness… okay maybe I’m just hungry, but I’m staying positive and willing to give the Patriots pancake a chance, and so it’s on to Pittsburg!

Go Pats!