How are the Pats even in the playoff hunt given all of the nonsense that has occurred this season? The Patriots somehow retook the 7th seed in the AFC playoff race as they beat the reeling Dolphins 23-21, giving them their 5th straight loss.
You know, a few weeks ago, I would have died upon a hill for the statement that the AFC was widely better from top to bottom over the NFC. Now…I wouldn’t be caught dead saying that.
The AFC wild card race used to fought by teams with 7-5, 8-4, and even 9-3 records as the constant flip-flopping between the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, and New England Patriots over the five spots (2 Division winner, 3 Wild Card places) was fascinating to see change week after week.
Only a few months ago (app. November-early December) featured some of the best moments of football this season as teams with storied, recent playoff histories and teams with nothing but recent failure were battling tooth and nail for spots in the most competitive playoff races I’ve ever seen. And then it divulged into a crap shoot.
The Dolphins went 0-4 in December, the Patriots lost 4 of their last 5 games, the Jets backed Zach Wilson to 4 straight losses, while the Ravens, Bills, Chargers, and Bengals all consolidated their positions and secured their places in the 2022 playoffs weeks ago. In a matter of a month, the AFC went from a conference that could boast of 5-7 legitimate Super Bowl hopefuls to a conference dominated by the Top-3 teams (Bills, Chiefs, and Bengals).
Though, I guess that was to be expected as, for instance, the Pats and Dolphins never really had a chance of doing anything special. And this game proved it.
Both offenses put up average-below average performances with 333 total yards by the Dolphins and 249 total yards by the Patriots. Though, if I had to pick one offense that was the better of the two, I’d unsurprisingly say it was the Dolphins.
Despite being without starting QB Tua Tagovailoa to his 100th concussion of the season, the Dolphins were still able to post 247 yards through the air and have more scrimmage rushing yards than the Patriots (86 yards vs 77 yards).
Plus, they did it with their 3rd-string quarterback for most of the game. After getting subbed in for an injured Teddy Bridgewater (12/19, 161 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT), Skylar Thompson did about as well as anything 3rd string QB could be expected against a Bill Belichick defense as he completed 12/21 passes for 104 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT.
Sure, he didn’t really get too much done as the Pats defense did an excellent job in stopping the Dolphins run game, Tyreek Hill (4 REC, 55 yards), and Jaylen Waddle (3 REC, 52 yards), but he was able to lead a last-minute TD drive that tightened the game to 23-21.
I suspect the Dolphins are going to reactivate Tua as fast as they possibly can, but Skylar Thompson can at least be proud that he scored a touchdown against the Patriots defense. And that’s a feat in of itself as the Pats D had, once again, a championship-caliber performance.
Led by Kyle Dugger (5 tackles, 2 PD, 1 INT, 1 DEF TD), Jonathan Jones (4 tackles, 2 PD, 1 INT), Myles Bryant (7 tackles 1 PD), Jabril Peppers (8 tackles), and the rest of the Patriots beat up secondary, New England’s defense racked up 72 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 TFL, 5 PD, 7 QB hits, 2 INTs, and a Pick 6 to not only keep the Dolphins offense under 350 total yards, but also helped the Pats score 7 vital points to win and keep up in the playoff hunt.
I say it every week but it’s true: this Patriots defense is a championship-caliber unit. Aside from a few early season blunders (ex: vs. Bears, vs. Ravens), the Pats defense has consistently kept opponents to under 20-25 points and have contributed a league-high 18 INTs, 49 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, and 4 defensive touchdowns. That’s insane production for a team that is currently 8-8 and barley clinging on to the final playoff spot.
Needless to say, the reason why this fantastic defense is a part of an 8-win team is solely because the offense is about as productive as a legless pack mule.
Once again, the New England offense was outgained in passing yards (247 vs. 172), running yards (86 vs. 77), yards per play (4.8 vs. 4.4), First Downs (21 vs 14), Total Plays (69 vs. 57), Punts (4 vs. 5), TOP (33: 48 vs. 26:12), and total yards (333 vs. 249). Mac Jones had an okay game with 20/33 completions for 2 TDs and 203 yards, while Tyquan Thorton had his best game in a Patriots uniform with 3 REC for 60 yards and 1 TD.
Still, if this kind of performance is the best that Matt Patricia can conjure up with his magic pencil, then the Pats mind as well give up on the season now and avoid the embarrassing 50-10 playoff drubbing the team will receive at either the hands of the 2nd seeded Bengals, Chiefs, or Bills.
Speaking as a fan of the Patriots, I would rather see the Pats miss the playoffs and rebuild this roster and coaching staff than watch them squeeze in as the 7th seed to only get blown out in the first game of the postseason for a second straight year. We all remember the 47-17 loss to Buffalo last season, Bill.
Nevertheless, both the Miami Dolphins (7-8) and the New England Patriots (8-8) are unworthy of a playoff spot as they each have pressing, crippling weaknesses that will make them a snack for any top team that plays them in the Wild Card round. However, seeing as the Steelers, Jets, and Raiders are the only other alternatives to get the 7th seed, I guess it’ll come down to these two mediocre teams.
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