Breaking down how and why the Miami Dolphins lost in New England

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FOXBOROUGH, MA – SEPTEMBER 30: A video board is seen after the New England Patriots defeated the Miami Dolphins 38-7 at Gillette Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Quarter 3:

The Pats drove with mostly short passing again and get a passing TD

Dolphins 0 Pats 31

Short passing in the middle was working for the Dolphins but the next deep pass was picked off.

The good: Nothing
The bad: Bobby McCain is out with a knee injury. Coverage sack.

Quarter 4:

In a drive that started in the third quarter it ended with a pitch out to the RB for a TD.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1046482316963401728

Dolphins 0 Pats 38

Minkah Fitzpatrick got his first interception ever off of Tom Brady.

https://twitter.com/MiamiDolphins/status/1046485870415568896

Brock Osweiler came in the game and Ja’Wuan James had already been out for a few series. This drive featured the backs both running and passing but mostly with Frank Gore who also scored the first TD with a short pass to the right.

Dolphins 7 Pats 38

The good: The first TD of the game is scored with a short pass to Gore.

The bad: More injuries on defense: Maurice Smith and Cordrea Tankersley lead to more bad play (not that the offense played any better) The Dolphins did not have a drive of more than five plays all game as of the fourth quarter.

Dolphins lose 7 to 38.

As advertised: A pass of 22 yards to Kenny Stills. A couple of interceptions by Bobby McCain and Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Still missing in action: A victory in New England.

Pleasant surprises: The first interception by Minkah Fitzpatrick and Bobby McCain held up being picked on.

Injury report: Bobby McCain was out with a knee injury. Daniel Kilgore did not return with his arm injury. Ja’Wuan James was out late but might be due to something else (coaches decision?).

Phin Fact: Oddly enough Kiko Alonso was among the top defenders covering TE’s heading into this game.

Game observations: I thought the Pats would pick on Bobby McCain and it cost them early with an interception but he left the game injured just after half time as things started getting out of hand. Xavien Howard got exposed for the first time in a while but he had some stops taken by cheesy calls. Tom Brady is back throwing with accuracy again and Bill Belichick started calling the game like he usually does. He stopped the run yet also had extra DB’s to stop passing.

The Refs jump started this game for the Pats and along with some key injuries the Dolphins had they got back on track with ease. The Dolphins had some bad breaks but that alone can’t cover how every aspect of the game suffered. And I mean every part, not one can be sorted out as showing more fight, talent or creativeness.

So at 3 – 1 with wins coming off of a running game that has degenerated each game into nothing coach Gase has to find a way to get it back and it’s not as easy handing the ball off more, the snaps have to be there overall and if not you need crazy efficiency. He must be worn out after this loss and can’t be counted on that much to get creative to cover it anymore. The overall injuries are mounting and effecting performance.

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