Revisiting the five biggest storylines for the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots

The Miami Dolphins ended their three-game losing streak with a win over the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.

With their 15-10 win, their third in a row against New England, the Dolphins’ record improved to 2-3 before their bye.

We analyzed the five biggest storylines for this Week 5 matchup ahead of the matchup, so now it’s time to take another look at them and see how they played out.

Before the game

Surprisingly, the Dolphins enter the game as the lowest scoring team in the NFL. Their combined 25 points during their current losing streak is their lowest output in three games since the start of the 2019 season, when the Dolphins were rebuilding or tanking (depending on which version you choose). Tyler Huntley will make his second start at quarterback and the offense should also benefit from the returns of Terron Armstead and Raheem Mostert.

During the game

Baby steps. The Dolphins offense did come to life against the Patriots, but only to a certain extent. The Dolphins finished the game with 372 yards and 15 points, their highest totals since the season opener, and the running game was effective. The returns of Armstead and Mostert helped, but we can’t get carried away either, as it was still only 15 points, and that was against one of the NFL’s worst teams that was missing its two starting safeties.

Before the game

There has been a lot of excitement about what Odell Beckham Jr. could do for the offense. We’ll find out in this game. However, this will likely be done gradually. Of course, if he could get more than 100 yards, that would be great. Still, at this point, just a few key catches at the right time would be a big help to an offense that needs it.

During the game

Well, it certainly happened gradually. Beckham played just 11 snaps against New England and was targeted twice, one of which resulted in an interception by cornerback Christian Gonzalez. Again, it was only his first game and we should have known from the start that his return wouldn’t have an immediate impact. Having him in the lineup was initially positive.

Before the game

When the Dolphins’ offense was at full capacity or near capacity in early December last year, it didn’t make much of a difference when the team would call penalties before the start of the game. Still, it’s been a while since we’ve seen this offense. You really can’t keep this 2024 version “get behind the controls” which has happened far too regularly in the last two games.

During the game

The old illegal shift came up twice in this game – when the Dolphins were unseeded before the snap – and the Patriots declined every penalty. That’s because the first came on a 4-yard completion at second-and-20 and the second came on that errant shotgun snap by Tyler Huntley, turning a third-and-3 from the New England 25 into a fourth. and-25 of 47 and cost the Dolphins three points. Maybe there is some progress in this area, but it is still a problem.

Before the game

The Dolphins’ defense was pretty good overall in 2024, even during the three-game losing streak. The only obvious problem was that the Dolphins allowed one big play in every game:

New England has little firepower offensively, so this may not be the week that doesn’t happen.

During the game

There was a very, very long play by the defense, although Rhamondre Stevenson’s 33-yard touchdown run – in which Emmanuel Ogbah was caught inside and the secondary couldn’t get out of the blocks or bring down the running back – could qualify. New England’s only other offensive play of at least 25 yards came on the final play of the game.

Before the game

With Jaelan Phillips now on injured reserve due to his season-ending knee injury, the Dolphins will be without their two star pass rushers starting in 2023, with Bradley Chubb still on PUP. Emmanuel Ogbah has proven to be a godsend for Miami since they re-signed him after Shaq Barrett abruptly retired before the start of camp. Still, the Dolphins will need one of their young players – Chop Robinson, Mohamed Kamara, Quinton Bell – to step up and help pressure the quarterback.

During the game

Somewhat surprisingly, new signing Tyus Bowser started opposite Ogbah, even though he only joined the team on Thursday. Bowser was close to QB Jacoby Brissett when Emmanuel Ogbah sacked him in the first half, and Chop Robinson put pressure on the quarterback to force a third-down incompletion with an increased snap count. Mohamed Kamara was inactive; He appeared in every game this season and Bell played no role. So for now, it looks like Bowser and Robinson will be the ones to step in without Phillips.