The New England Patriots are 0-1 to start the 2022 season, after falling 20-7 to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium. Here’s a look at who we graded “UP” or “DOWN” based on their performance in the game…
UP: WR Jakobi Meyers
Oct 31, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) carries the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half at SoFi Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Chargers 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Meyers made the best play of the day for the offense with a 27-yard catch down the right sideline, in a tightly contested situation. He finished with a team-high four catches and 55 yards through the air. Meyers will never get a ton of separation down the field, but he’s currently the Patriots’ most reliable receiver and is capable of occasionally coming up with big situational catches. This was a tough matchup against the Dolphins’ secondary, and Meyers was the only wideout who consistently made things happen against them.
DOWN: QB Mac Jones
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 11: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots looks to pass during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The Patriots’ problems aren’t all Jones’ fault, based on what’s going on in front of him and on the sidelines. But Jones didn’t do enough to overcome their problems, either. Though Brandon Jones came in untouched on a blitz on the Dolphins’ defensive touchdown, Jones will need to have better awareness and ball security in the pocket, or plays like that are going to happen. Additionally, he overthrew a few deep balls with guys open down the field, namely Nelson Agholor. Jones had trouble fitting passes through what was tight coverage by the Dolphins secondary and couldn’t get anything going beyond the short-to-intermediate areas, other than Meyers’ big catch.
UP: S Kyle Dugger
Jan 2, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) runs with the ball after an interception during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
An excellent debut for the third-year pro, who’s expected to play a variety of key roles this year. His tackling in the open field was on point, particularly against Tyreek Hill. Dugger looks poised to take another step forward in his third NFL season. We’ll see how he does in coverage, but he should be a big asset against offenses like the Dolphins, when the Patriots need to make plays in space.
DOWN: WR DeVante Parker
Sep 11, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard (25) breaks up a pass to New England Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker (1) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots’ biggest off-season addition to the offense could’ve had a better debut. Only one catch for nine yards, and got beaten pretty badly by Xavien Howard on the Pats’ opening drive. What could’ve been a long touchdown ended up an interception. Parker will need to show up more than this for the Pats to move the ball, score points, and win games.
UP: LB Matthew Judon
Sep 11, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) throws the football during the second quarter as New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon (9) defends during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Strong start for Judon, who is looking to sustain last year’s excellence over a full season. Judon logged a sack, plus four total QB hits and five combined tackles. He will need to be a difference-maker every single week for a team that feels a little short on high-end talent.
DOWN: OL Cole Strange
Aug 26, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; New England Patriots guard Cole Strange (69) in the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Bill Belichick quickly replaced Strange with James Ferentz at left guard during the first half. A first-round rookie out of Tennessee-Chattanooga, Strange hopefully needed some kind of injury timeout. Because otherwise, the team felt he wasn’t quite ready to go. Strange did come back into the game in the second half, so hopefully just a stutter-step in his NFL debut.
UP: RB Ty Montgomery
Sep 11, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Ty Montgomery (14) slips after catching a pass during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
After weeks of uncertainty about his health, Montgomery was active and productive when called upon in his Patriots debut. Montgomery caught three of four targets for 15 yards and their only touchdown of the day. He should continue to see the field in key spots.
DOWN: WR Nelson Agholor
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 11: Nelson Agholor #15 of the New England Patriots runs up the sideline after making a reception during the first quarter of the game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
Agholor made three catches for 28 yards and looked explosive with the ball in his hands, and could have made more plays if Jones hit him down the field. But he undid a lot of good with a bad fumble in the fourth quarter, which essentially put the game on ice. Combine that with a long fourth-quarter catch by Kendrick Bourne, who mostly didn’t play Sunday, and you have a situation to watch on the Patriots’ receiver depth chart.
Next Patriots Ups & Downs will come after their Week 2 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
