New England Patriots: Five Takeaways From Pathetic 33-20 Loss To Miami

Sep 7, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New England Patriots quarterback

(12) yells out from the line of scrimmage against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. The Dolphins won 33-20. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

1. Offensive line in trouble

We knew the Pats would struggle up front, but I don’t think anyone saw this performance coming. This group struggled across the board, as no one had a good game.

Tom Brady was constantly under duress, never able to sit back, survey the scene, and make a good throw. When he wasn’t getting sacked (four in the second half), he was getting hit, knocked down, pressured, or simply being forced to change how, or when he threw the football. The interior of the line was particularly bad, and for Brady and this offense, that is the last place you want the pressure to come from.

The main reason this offense couldn’t get anything done in the second half was because of the line. You can talk all you want about how Brady missed a few throws, or how Brandon LaFell couldn’t get anything done on the outside, it doesn’t matter.

The offensive line sucked. That’s it. And if New England wants to bounce back, and get back on the right track, it is going to have to start with the big guys up front.