DEFENSIVE NOTES
Personnel breakdown: 46% three-safety nickel personnel, 39% three-cornerback nickel, 11% dime personnel, 4% base personnel. Pressure rate: 31%
Blitz rate: 21%
Yards per carry allowed: 3.2
Third downs: 4-11
Red-zone efficiency: 0-2
Sacks: Kyle Van Noy, Josh Uche.
QB hits: Davon Godchaux 2, Matt Judon. Hurries: Judon, Uche, Team.
Run stuffs: Team 2, Phillips. Interceptions: Jonathan Jones.
Pass deflections: Van Noy, J.C. Jackson, Jalen Mills.
Missed tackles: Jackson 2, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Kyle Dugger, Godchaux, Mills.
Credit to Miami’s offensive coaching staff for scripting an opening-drive touchdown. The Dolphins also out-schemed the Pats on their second touchdown march, though to a lesser degree.
That series, which proved to be the game-winner, was sustained by a perfect, 30-yard deep ball to DeVante Parker. On the play, a third-and-long snap, Parker leapt over J.C. Jackson for a nifty sideline catch; good offense beating good defense.
Later, Miami exploited Jaylen Waddle’s matchup against backup corner Joejuan Williams, sending him in motion toward the center, then sprinting back toward the flat, where Tua Tagovailoa lofted an easy 3-yard touchdown.
Aside from those two drives, the Patriots seemed to be waiting for Tagovailoa to throw them a pick, and he finally obliged midway through the fourth quarter.
The Pats followed a bend-but-don’tbreak game plan, relying on a four-man rush to overwhelm Miami’s young offensive line and underneath zone coverage to eliminate Tagovailoa’s initial reads.
Had Stephon Gilmore been available, it’s easy to imagine the Patriots instead playing more bump-and-run coverage.
Gilmore would not, however, have helped the front seven take advantage of emergency left tackle Liam Eichenberg, who learned Sunday morning he would be changing positions. It was mind-boggling the Pats didn’t exploit his inexperience more.
Speaking of the front seven, it’s not time to worry yet, but Dont’a Hightower did not look himself. His movements were labored, and the Pats started two defensive series with him on the sideline. Worse yet, he was gimpy on the final defensive series and left the field with two-plus minutes remaining.
The Patriots’ new pass rushing core consists of Uche, Van Noy and second-round rookie defensive tackle Christian Barmore. That trio played every snap of the team’s new third-down package, with Hightower and Judon rotating out for at least one drive.
SOURCE; Statistics for passing depth, broken tackles and missed tackles courtesy of Pro Football Focus.
*12 personnel = one running back, two tight ends; 11 personnel = one running back, one tight end; 10 personnel = one running back, no tight ends; 21 personnel = two backs, one tight end.