Growing pains on display in Patriots’ season-opening loss to Miami

Author Alex Barth

September 12th, 2021 10:21 PM

As is the case with any rebuilt team feature new – and in some cases young players, there were just too many times that the Patriots couldn’t get out of their own way. ‘Growing pains’ has been a popular term among those discussing the 2021 Patriots, and those pains were on full display on Sunday in the team’s 17-16 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

By most major metrics, the Patriots were the better team on Sunday. They out-gained Miami 393-259 on offense, and were 11-of-16 on third down, compered to the Dolphins’ 4-of-11 success rate. Yet they were done in by self-inflicted errors. They fumbled the ball four times – turning it over twice – and committed eight penalties for 84 yards. Even when they were able to sustain drives they rarely finished, scoring just one touchdown in four red zone trips.

A first-quarter fumble by rookie running back Rhamondre Stevenson gave the Dolphins momentum early. Stevenson played just one snap after than, on a play following a Damien Harris injury.

Harris, of course, had his own issue with ball security. Despite carrying the offense for most of the afternoon with 100 yards on 25 carries, he put the ball on the ground as the Patriots were driving for a go-ahead score late in the game.

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  Then, there were the penalties. Of the eight flags New England drew, including three personal foul calls, four were on players making their Patriots debut. The 84 penalty yards are the most in a game by the Patriots since 2019, and the second-most ever against the Dolphins under Bill Belichick.
  
  "It was obviously a disappointing game," Belichick said after the game. "We had our chances, had our opportunities. But really all the way across the board, we've just got to do a better job. Really that's about the story of it. There's a lot of things that could have helped us. Just have to coach better, play better, execute better, play better situational football than we did today. Just missed too many opportunities to win."
  
  It's disappointing indeed, but these are the sorts of anguishes young teams experience. In fact, the Patriots spent years winning games against teams that played the exact way they did on Sunday - outperforming their opponent but creating too many self-inflicted wounds (penalties, turnovers) to overcome. As Belichick alluded to, the chances were there for the Patriots to win the game. They lost due to their own miscues, not a lack of talent or inferior strategy.
  
  As bad as things looked at times for the Patriots on Sunday, it's nothing that isn't fixable. If Mac Jones had been missing reads and overthrowing receivers, the offensive line was failing to open holes in the running game, or the defense was having communications issues, those would all be season-long red flags. But penalties and sloppy turnovers can be coached out quickly. It's easier said than done, but it is doable.

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  In fact, Jones was relatively growing-pains free. After a circus of a fumble on his first NFL drop back, the 15th-overall pick settled in. He completed 74 percent of his 39 pass attempts, the highest percentage ever by a quarterback in a debut with as many attempts. He was also the only rookie quarterback starting on Sunday who didn't turn the ball over. His performance should hold more weight on the long-term projection of this team than the final result of the game.
  
  The Patriots didn't spend over $300 million in free agency and use a first-round pick on a quarterback just to they could beat the Miami Dolphins in Week 1 of 2021. It would be nice if they did, but there's a more long-term plan in place here. Jones is on a four-year, incredibly team-friendly deal. Most of the key offseason free agents are on three-or-four year contracts.
  
  In reality, the Patriots are in Year 1 of what is probably a three-year window. Week 1, Season 1 didn't go as planned but there's still plenty of time to get things fixed. That's not to say it's wrong to be concerned about some of what we saw on Sunday. If the penalties and fumbles are still piling up in November, it may be a different story. Plus, losing to a divisional opponent isn't ideal. Yet Sunday's loss felt more like a isolated bad game than a sign of bigger, lasting issues with the roster.
  
  This isn't the Patriots teams of 2001-2019. There won't be instant results. Right now, it's about patience and waiting for the plan to come together.

MORE: Ups and Downs in Week 1

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].

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