The New England Patriots dropped in this week’s NFL Power Rankings on ESPN.
The New England Patriots entered their Week 14 matchup with the Miami Dolphins on a hot streak. They had won eight games in a row as one of the hottest teams in the NFL. They did not leave Miami Gardens the same way.
The Patriots would be defeated by their AFC East rivals 27-20. The Patriots have notoriously struggled at times in Miami, and this season’s visit was no different. The Patriots just couldn’t find their groove on either side of the ball.
Offensively the Patriots never got it going. Tom Brady wasn’t comfortable all game, having arguably his worst game of the season. Without tight end Rob Gronkowski, Brady didn’t have a safety blanket and it showed.
New England didn’t convert a first down the whole game. It was the first time since 1991 that the Patriots didn’t convert a third down in a game. Against the Dolphins, the Patriots were unsuccessful on all 11 of their third-down attempts.
Patriots went 0-11 on third down Monday night, their first game without a third-down conversion since 1991.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 12, 2017
That inability to convert on third downs killed multiple Patriots drives and stopped any momentum they would build. Brady also threw two interceptions, both of which were caught by Xavien Howard.
Defensively the Patriots didn’t get the job done either. Jay Cutler picked them apart with precision. He completed 25-of-38 for 263 yards and three touchdowns. He worked underneath well as the Dolphins game plan was precise.
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Another part of the Dolphins game plan was getting Kenyan Drake involved early and often and it worked. Drake was dominant against the Patriots as both a rusher and receiver.
Drake had 25 carries, which he turned into 114 yards. He was also the leading receiver, catching five passes for 79 yards.
The loss dropped the Patriots record to 10-3 on the season and snapped their eight-game winning streak. As a result, the Patriots have dropped in ESPN’s NFL Power Rankings. After getting back to the No. 1 spot last week, the Patriots have dropped back into the No. 2 spot.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, who kept their lengthy winning streak alive on Sunday Night Football, moved into the top spot.
Here is what they had to say about the Patriots landing in the No. 2 spot this week.
"The Patriots’ defense had a major turnaround following a 2-2 start to the season. Through Week 4, they had allowed the second-most points per game in the NFL (32.0). They’ve allowed an NFL-best 13.5 points per game since, with Monday night’s 27-20 loss to Miami being the only time the unit has allowed even 20 points in their past nine games."
The Patriots defense has been decimated by injuries in recent weeks. It looked to finally catch up with them against the Dolphins, who did whatever they wanted offensively.
It is something that the Patriots will have to hope changes for their Week 15 matchup. The Patriots will be traveling to take on the Steelers in what could determine home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Next: Patriots Full Team Grades vs Dolphins Week 14
If the Patriots defense is not healthy going into that game, it will be difficult to knock off the Steelers. Cutler, Drake and Jarvis Landry had their way against a decimated Patriots defense. What do you think Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown can accomplish?