The New England Patriots are 0-2 on the season after falling to the Miami Dolphins 24-17 on “Sunday Night Football.” Here are eight players we graded “UP” or “DOWN” based on their performance in the game…
UP: WR DeVante Parker
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 17: DeVante Parker #1 of the New England Patriots runs the ball against Eli Apple #33 of the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
All in all, a strong season debut for Parker. His numbers don’t pop off the stat sheet (six catches, 57 yards), but he passed the eye test as one of Mac Jones’ most reliable pass-catchers in the game. The Patriots lack explosiveness on offense in general, so they’re going to need Parker to keep winning contested situations.
DOWN: WR Demario Douglas
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 17: Demario Douglas #81 of the New England Patriots fumbles the ball against Bradley Chubb #2 of the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Douglas made two catches and actually looked like the Patriots’ most dynamic offensive player when he touched the ball. Problem is, he couldn’t hold onto it. Douglas’ fumble after a catch-and-run was an early back-breaker for the Pats, who gave up a Dolphins touchdown on the ensuing drive. Douglas didn’t see the field on offense for the rest of the game.
UP: LB Matthew Judon
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 17: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins is hit by Matthew Judon #9 of the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
No complaints here. A sack, two total QB hits, two tackles for loss. Judon even dropped into coverage at times. He spoke at length about his disappointment in the Patriots’ slow starts to games, but it’s hard to put him on that list.
DOWN: LG Cole Strange
Sep 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Zach Sieler (92) tackles New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Strange was finally healthy enough to play, but didn’t look quite ready for full-speed in-game action. The Dolphins consistently pressured Jones on the interior during the game, forcing rushed throws and sending the quarterback running for his life at times. Strange almost redeemed himself when he caught a Mike Gesicki lateral on fourth down, but officials ruled he was short. It’s good to have Strange back in action, but he needs to play a lot better than that.
UP: TE Hunter Henry
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 17: Hunter Henry #85 of the New England Patriots celebrates his touchdown catch with Mike Gesicki #88 during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Two games, two touchdowns for Henry. He continues to be a consistently reliable target for Jones in the passing game. Makes you wonder what this offense might look like without him. They lack big-play explosiveness as a unit, but Henry’s production is fueling improvement in the red zone.
DOWN: RT Calvin Anderson
Sep 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws a pass against the Miami Dolphins in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
It’s not totally fair to heap too much blame on Anderson, because the Patriots offensive line was leaky across the board in the game. But this was a guy the Pats signed to possibly play a starting role, and he hasn’t lived up to that. Again, maybe that’s more Bill Belichick’s fault for putting him in this position in the first place. But it wasn’t a good game for Anderson.
UP: DB Brenden Schooler
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 17: Brenden Schooler #41 of the New England Patriots celebrates with teammates after blocking a field goal attempt during the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Schooler gets an easy thumbs up after blocking a Dolphins field goal attempt in the third quarter. Mac Jones threw an interception in the red zone on the ensuing drive, but that shouldn’t take away from what was a great play by Schooler, and a unique-looking play-call by the Pats’ improved special teams units.
DOWN: CB Myles Bryant
Sep 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Myles Bryant (27) breaks up a pass to Miami Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
It’s not Bryant’s fault that Jonathan Jones, Jack Jones, and Marcus Jones (so, so many Joneses) were all absent at one point in the game. But he struggled in coverage against Jaylen Waddle, in what was admittedly a mismatch.
