The New England Patriots dropped to 1-4 on the season after a 15-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at Gillette Stadium. Here are 10 players graded either UP or DOWN based on their performance on the field…
UP: RB Rhamondre Stevenson
A nice bounceback effort for Stevenson, who finally made it through a game without fumbling. Stevenson didn’t get the start, but made the biggest impact at the running back position, scoring the Patriots’ only touchdown of the game with a 33-yard scamper in the first quarter.
Overall, Stevenson carried it 12 times for 89 yards (7.4-yard average) and added four catches for three yards. He also showed his toughness by going back into the game after appearing to injure his foot/ankle in the fourth quarter. Stevenson may have re-earned his starting role with Sunday’s performance.
DOWN: LB Christian Elliss
Penalties really hurt the Patriots in this one, none more than Elliss’ pass interference flag during a fourth-quarter Dolphins drive. The Pats forced a third-and-17 situation, and appeared to have made the stop, but Elliss made too much contact with the intended receiver over the middle of the field to commit the DPI.
Elliss has been excellent on special teams for the Patriots this season, but he didn’t exactly earn himself a role on defense after his costly penalty. He wasn’t alone, as the Pats committed 12 penalties for 105 (!) yards overall, but Elliss’ flag was an absolute back-breaker.
UP: CB Christian Gonzalez
Christian Gonzalez (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
It was nice to see the Patriots force an early turnover on defense, as Gonzalez undercut a route on a pass intended for Odell Beckham Jr. to come down with his first interception of the season. Gonzalez is off to a fine start in his second season, and will probably have to keep making game-changing plays like that in order for the Pats to have chances to win games.
DOWN: DE Keion White
Keion White (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
Back to the penalties…White got flagged twice on the same drive, for a horse collar and for roughing the passer. He gifted the Dolphins 30 yards, including on a third-down play that was incomplete, and the Dolphins ended up scoring three points on the drive. White also appeared to have more struggles setting the edge and allowing Dolphins quarterback Tyler Huntley to escape the pocket.
White is no doubt talented and can be a productive pass-rusher, but he has to play with more discipline. He needs to be an impact player for a roster that severely lacks impact players, and absolutely cannot be a negative.
UP: WR Kayshon Boutte
Kayshon Boutte (Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images)
Boutte had arguably his best game as a Patriot, catching two passes for 34 yards and providing good blocking when called upon. He made a nice block to seal off a would-be tackler and spring Stevenson for his touchdown run, an unheralded play that would’ve quietly had a big impact if the Patriots secured a win. It’s fair to wonder if Boutte has earned himself more snaps going forward.
DOWN: C Nick Leverett
Nick Leverett (Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)
Again with the penalties. Leverett got flagged twice, once for holding and once for a false start. The false start was a rare play, in which he reset the ball from the spot but illegally moved it forward, which results in a flag. He will need to clean that up, as the Patriots’ starting center going forward.
UP: DT Daniel Ekuale
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 06: Daniel Ekuale #95 of the New England Patriots tackles Tyler Huntley #18 of the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
Easily the best game of the season so far for Ekuale, who has had his ups and downs. He finished with a team-high nine tackles, and also made a half-sack. The Patriots defense is going to need unexpected players to show up and produce on Sundays after all the injuries and departures they’ve dealt with since the summer. Hopefully, Ekuale can build upon Sunday’s strong effort.
DOWN: TE Hunter Henry
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 06: Jordyn Brooks #20 of the Miami Dolphins tackles Hunter Henry #85 of the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
Did somebody say penalties?! Henry committed two, once for an illegal formation and again for a false start. He also caught only two of his four targets for 32 yards, and one of his catches was on the final play of the game as the clock ran out on the offense. Henry was just named a team captain, and thus needs to both play better and have his fundamentals down in order to prove head coach Jerod Mayo right for promoting him.
DOWN: QB Jacoby Brissett
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 06: Jacoby Brissett #7 of the New England Patriots looks to pass during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)
Brissett almost gets a dishonorable mention for this game, as he certainly wasn’t terrible (by his standards), didn’t necessarily hurt the team. But Brissett simply doesn’t make a lot of plays, and often is hesitant to even try for one, opting for throwaways. He continued to hold the ball too long on a lot of plays, and had a surprising amount of cleaner pockets. After this game, it’s time for the Patriots to seriously consider making a change at quarterback, especially considering a less-than-disastrous day for the offensive line in terms of blocking.
