For the first time in 12 years, the New England Patriots (6-8) will miss the playoffs. Of course, in 2008, New England not only went 11-5, but they knew Tom Brady would return from injury the following season.
There is no such consolation this year, as the Miami Dolphins (9-5) became the latest team to gash the Patriots’ run defense, further putting second-half pressure on a Cam Newton-offense that doesn’t seem equipped to play from behind.
But the main focus from this loss was the Patriots run defense, which allowed 250 yards on 42 carries (6.0 yards per carry) to a Dolphins team that entered the game with a league-worst 3.6 YPC mark. To make matters worse, Miami’s running backs on Sunday — Salvon Ahmed, Matt Brieda — are not exactly an overwhelmingly-talented group.
To put it mildly, Bill Belichick will almost certainly address positions along the defensive front this offseason, where the Patriots need bigger bodies up front, better edge-setters and quicker and more-talented linebackers.
But we’ll get to those inevitable additions in a few months. Here is our film review from Sunday’s contest.
