Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo had an honest assessment of his offense following his team's 15-10 loss to the Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.

"Execution from the entire offense has to be better going forward," Mayo said. "We have to be able to move the ball offensively. We have to win the time of possession game or at least be close, which, once again, they controlled."

After having a time of possession edge in their first two games, New England's offense, designed to be a ball control operation playing off a stout defense, has regressed. This week, the Dolphins possessed the ball for over 34 minutes and ran 20 more plays than the Patriots. As always, there are multiple reasons for that, but the Pats only running the ball 19 times despite averaging a franchise-record 7.9 yards per carry is something many have pointed out.

Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt's situational play-calling at the end of both halves is one area that has been critiqued following Sunday's game. After getting the ball down to the Miami 12-yard line with 1:13 remaining in a five-point game, Van Pelt called four consecutive pass plays, and all four were incomplete. Now, the Pats were a "toe-heel" away from one of those drop-backs being a game-winning touchdown. However, on a day when they successfully ran the ball, it was notable that Van Pelt opted to pass with all three timeouts in his back pocket.

The lack of scheme-related conflict the Patriots offense is putting into the opposing defense is another talking point. The Pats rank 31st in play-action rate (7.8%), 27th in motion at the snap (22.3%), and are third in spread formation rate (38.5%) while only using bunch formations on 11.7% of their passing plays (27th). Unsurprisingly, the offenses that rank near the Patriots in those metrics are the Cowboys and Browns, two teams that run the same West Coast system.

There are good elements to Van Pelt's scheme, like how he schemed up the run game, and his layered route concepts are difficult to defend, while it's fair to say that the Pats OC isn't working with a full deck of cards due to injuries and personnel issues. Still, New England ranks 31st in scoring offense (12.4 PPG) and 28th in EPA per play through five weeks. Van Pelt continues to be criticized for the lack of offensive production, as does QB Jacoby Brissett.

Brissett deserves credit for fighting through a tough situation where he has been under constant pressure. Although it was better on Sunday, there are still too many plays where Brissett is trying to hit open receivers while being contacted in the pocket. Upon review, he had six 'plus' plays and two big-time throws vs. Miami, fighting off pressure to make throws downfield. Brissett certainly isn't the only one at fault for the offense's struggles and the audio breakdown above showcases that. However, Coach Mayo was also blunt with his assessment of Brissett on Monday.

"It just wasn't good enough. I thought we played well enough defensively and on special teams to win the football game. As the quarterback, and he understands this, he touches the ball on every single play, and we didn't win the game or score enough points to win the game," Mayo said.

After a more empathic response when asked at this time last week, Coach Mayo was less committed to Brissett being the Patriots starting quarterback moving forward. In the midst of a four-game losing streak at 1-4, it makes sense that all options would be on the table, including making a quarterback change to third-overall pick Drake Maye.

Brissett and Mayo are in a tough spot. The Pats current QB1 is not in the best situation as he tries to elevate those around him as a nine-year vet who is known more for managing games, while the Patriots HC has to balance the present and the future with Maye. Right now, it's unclear which path Mayo will choose at quarterback moving forward.

Here is a breakdown of the Patriots defense and quick-hit film notes from the loss to the Dolphins After Further Review:

Patriots Defense Review: Christian Gonzalez Gives Unit a Pillar to Build Around

Over the last two weeks, we've kept it real about the defense, even though the offensive struggles are getting most of the attention.

Defensively, the Patriots haven't been good enough, either. New England finished the opening month ranked 28th in DVOA and 25th in expected points added (EPA) – a bottom-half of the league operation for a unit that is supposed to be leading this team to victories. Now, it's only fair to point out that the defense lost key contributors in DT Christian Barmore (blood clots) and LB Ja'Whaun Bentley (shoulder) to indefinite absences. Furthermore, the Patriots played this week's game without starting safeties Kyle Dugger (ankle) and Jabrill Peppers (shoulder).

The significant losses due to injuries/medical situations have taken their toll on this defense, which is also transitioning to new coaching leadership with first-time play-caller DeMarcus Covington and Mayo running the defense rather than Bill and Steve Belichick. There are reasons why the defense has regressed, but calling it for what it is, it's still a regression.

That said, Sunday's game plan by defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington and company was a step in the right direction. There was better personnel deployment, such as using LB Jahlani Tavai more on the edge (38 snaps on the line) and pass-rusher Joshua Uche in a situational role (21 snaps). Plus, the Pats got hybrid S Marte Mapu back to add some athleticism to the second level and he made the defensive calls.

Along with personnel tweaks, CB Christian Gonzalez was terrific shadowing Dolphins star WR Tyreek Hill on 21 routes. Gonzo had an excellent first-quarter interception, allowed just three catches for 55 yards vs. Hill, and nearly had another pick. The Pats should lean into a man-coverage identity built around the 2023 first-rounder.

The numbers also firmly back up that the Patriots need to lean even further into being a man coverage defense, and they have the Joneses and coverage safeties that can also contribute. This season, the Pats have the fifth-highest man coverage rate in the NFL (38.2%). That sounds high relative to the rest of the league, but it's the second-lowest man coverage rate for New England's defense since 2018 (NextGen Era). To this point, the Patriots are also playing their highest rate of split-safety coverages in the last seven seasons (43.5%).

According to NextGen Stats, the Patriots are producing a negative EPA per play in man coverage (-0.04) and are allowing the 10th-best yards per pass attempt (5.8 yards). On the other hand, the Pats are one of the worst zone coverage defenses in football, ranking 31st in expected points added (+0.26) and yards per pass attempt (9.9 yards).

From this perspective, the Patriots are struggling in zone for a few reasons. One, with new pieces playing larger roles than expected, zone coverages stress communication. Second, the Pats rank 30th in pressure rate with a four-man rush, which you typically use in zone to have a seven-man distribution because you're covering areas rather than a man. When the Pats blitz, their pressure rate increases at the fifth-highest rate in the league at 20%, but that's harder to do in zone structures.

Third, the Patriots are also struggling to stop the run out of two-high safety shells without Barmore and Bentley on defense, two players who can get off blocks and condense space so that the defense doesn't need another hat in the box. On Sunday, the Dolphins averaged 6.1 yards per rush with four explosive runs (10+ yards) vs. two-high safety defenses. New England only allowed 4.0 yards per rush with two explosives when they were in a single-high shell.

Mainly, the Patriots played the Dolphins offense out of a 5-2 front with five players across the line of scrimmage to combat Miami's outside zone runs. The run game is all about numbers: how many blockers does the offense have compared to defenders in the box? The defense is either even or short on numbers when you play two-high safeties. Above, the Pats are even in the box. Miami then ran outside zone with the fullback adding another blocker, so the offense has four blockers to three defenders, and it's a relatively easy 12 yards for the Dolphins.

Although they're struggling in the two-high run game and in zone coverage, the Patriots have been much better when they play man-to-man. In their man schemes, the Pats can play with a single-high safety, which puts another defender in the box to stop the run and rush the passer. When they play man coverage, New England is generating pressure on 45.8% of their opponent's drop-backs because they can add blitzes into the rush and disrupt the offense's timing. In zone, they're only generating pressure 32.3% of the time.

For example, he's a vintage rep where the Patriots play man-free coverage, meaning they have a post-safety in the middle of the field with a five-man rush. Gonzalez is in the left slot with Hill, while Jonathan Jones covers Jaylen Waddle at the bottom of the screen. With five players on the line, DE Keion White rushes on the tight end, and the pressure gets home while the Pats also have tight coverage downfield. White gets flagged for roughing the passer, but you can see how the strategy can work for this defense.

Here's a successful down in the red zone. This time, the Pats ran cover zero, leaving their corners without safety help on a condensed field. The threat of all-out pressure gets some advantageous matchups up front, with the Dolphins running a deep crossing concept off play-action. New England successfully marries rush and coverage, with the pass rush forcing Huntley to hold the ball and Gonzalez undercutting the route to nearly intercept the pass.

The Patriots also had some good reps in what appear to be match quarters or cover-7 variations, which play out like man coverages downfield. Above, the Pats are bracketing the receiver at the top of the screen and No. 2 (right slot) to the bottom, with Gonzo carrying Hill on the vertical. Huntley's first read is to the juke route by No. 2, but S Jaylinn Hawkins closes it off. Then, the pressure starts to disrupt Huntley, while S Marte Mapu correctly becomes a free defender when No. 1 at the top of the screen breaks out into CB Marco Wilson's coverage. Mapu gets back on the post to help Gonzalez, Huntley holds the ball, and it's a sack.

Although comparing him to two All-Pro corners is unfair, Gonzalez gives the Patriots their version of 2018-19 Stephon Gilmore or Broncos star CB Patrick Surtain. The Pats hit similar coverage notes with Gilmore locking up his man on an island, allowing for cover zero blitzes and post-safety alignments. Denver is also building their defense similarly around Surtain, ranking second with a man coverage rate of 46% and third in cover zero usage (9.5%).

Every defense mixes it up from time to time to keep passing offenses guessing, a must in this league with so many great quarterbacks, receivers, and schemes. However, the film and statistics back up that the Patriots are locking offenses down in man coverage. We'll see if the coaching staff continues to lean into a more aggressive man coverage defense.

Quick-Hit Film Notes From Patriots-Dolphins After Further Review

Offense

- The Patriots pass protection was better in this game than the last few weeks. Some of that is that the Dolphins front doesn't have the same talent level as the Jets and Niners. Still, there were fewer physical losses this week, and the run-blocking had great flashes. A few times, the protection slides and picking up schemed pressures were issues. Still, credit where credit is due: the 43.2% pressure rate was the lowest of the season.

- OT Vederian Lowe is the Patriots best option at left tackle. Lowe had a clean sheet with 14 one-on-one reps against Dolphins rookie Chop Robinson and nine vs. Tyus Bowser. Lowe has good initial movement in his pass sets and long arms to keep pass-rushers at his fingertips. If he remains consistent with his technique, he can be a serviceable tackle in these types of matchups.

- C Nick Leverett took the brunt of the blame for the QB pressures, allowing 10 pressures with a sack, four QB hits, and five hurries. He could've gotten more help from his guards in certain instances where they were late to help out when uncovered. As expected, replacing David Andrews is not going to be easy for this offense.

- G Mike Onwenu allowed four total pressures (two hits, two hurries) in his first game back at right guard. Onwenu's eyes were caught in the wrong place a few times, and it's an adjustment to go from playing on an island at tackle to the quick-strike nature of guard play. Onwenu will settle in, but you would've liked to see him be better on Polk's reversed TD.

- Receivers Ja'Lynn Polk and DeMario Douglas each had their opportunities. Douglas was a problem working inside against split-safety coverages, and Polk was winning on third down/red zone routes but had some bad luck. Eventually, the passing offense as a whole needs to produce, but I still see these two getting open often enough on film.

- WR Kendrick Bourne played 16 snaps in his debut. Besides the screen target, he wasn't very involved in Brissett's initial reads. Mostly, it seemed like this was about getting his feet wet.

- RBs Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson each had their moments, adding 85 yards after contact with a combined four forced missed tackles. Stevenson mainly got his yards on gap schemes with G-Lead, power, and counter producing his longer runs. Gibson got the outside zone carries and did well with those. It's a good tandem. Feed them.

- QB Pressures: Leverett (sack, four hits, five hurries), Onwenu (two hits, two hurries), Jacobs (two hurries), Jordan (hurry), Henry (hurry), Gibson (hurry), Lowe (clean sheet).

Defense

- CB Christian Gonzalez lined up over Dolphins star WR Tyreek Hill on 21 routes, taking Hill in pure man coverage on five times. Although, many of the Pats zone structures play out as man coverage downfield. Gonzo allowed three catches for 55 yards with a pass breakup into his coverage vs. Hill and had an outstanding interception jumping a backside slant route on an option-style play intended for Odell Beckham. Even on the catches he allowed, Gonzalez did a great job mitigating the damage, allowing 16 yards after the catch. The Pats have themselves a lockdown corner.

- Along with Gonzalez, the Joneses duo allowed just two catches for 10 yards into their coverage. New England has three legit cover corners. They should be living in man.

- The Pats run fits from their off-ball players were shaky. It's a group that's new to playing with one another, and it showed. There were several plays where defenders took the same gaps, weren't great with their post-snap reads, and weren't playing blocks with enough force. They really miss Bentley. He could condense space and plug gaps to bottle up the ball carrier.

- NT Davon Godchaux was a bright spot in the run defense with four stuffs and a batted pass at the line. Godchaux played multiple techniques, with recently signed DT Jaquelin Roy playing some nose tackle so that Godchaux could play strongside 3-4 end. Godchaux has been good for two consecutive weeks, and OLB Anfernee Jennings's return helped as well. Jennings tied Godchaux with a team-high four stuffs.

- LB/S Marte Mapu deserves credit for playing 100% of the defensive snaps in his first game back from injury. With three practices under his belt since camp, that's very impressive. He also had some solid plays forcing a screen back inside to the numbers in the defense for a TFL, drew a hold that wiped out a 35-yard run and recovered nicely to the post to take away a potential end zone shot to Hill. However, Mapu's ability to read out play-action concepts from the second level is a work in progress, as he was beaten by TE Jonnu Smith on a 17-yarder and got baited out of passing lanes too often. Mapu plays fast and gives them some coverage ability between the numbers – I'll take that as he continues to grow as a processor.

- EDGE Keion White's two-penalty drive was a killer with his roughing the passer penalty on third down extending a FG drive. White logged a QB hit, a hurry, and a stuff and was used more in this one in a spy role. The second-year pro is disruptive, but he and the coaches need to find a way to harness that correctly so he can reach his ceiling as a player.

- Kudos to the coaches for getting LB Jahlani Tavai and pass-rusher Joshua Uche into roles that they can blossom in. The film for Tavai was still mixed, but he played a season-high 38 snaps on the line, while Uche was back to a situational role with Jennings returning (21 snaps). The Pats mitigated the number of coverage snaps for Tavai off the ball (8) and ran defense reps for Uche (5). That should continue moving forward.

- Safeties Jaylinn Hawkins and Dell Pettus weren't perfect, but they held up well enough vs. this level of competition. Hawkins had a nice rep playing robber to take away a read on Uche's sack, and Pettus mostly handled his zone responsibilities (one mixup on a 13-yard completion on third-and-16). The only knock would be some late triggers out of two-high structures vs. the run. Dugger and Peppers quickly get their hats in there to support the lighter boxes.

- QB pressures: Uche (sack, hurry), Roy (sack, hurry), Jennings (0.5 sack, hurry), Ekuale (0.5 sack, hurry), White (QB hit, hurry), Godchaux (hurry). Run stuffs: Jennings (4), Godchaux (4), Tavai (3), Ekuale (3), Roy/White/Mapu/M.Jones/Hawkins/McMillan/J.Jones (1).

- Coverage: Gonzalez (11/5/74 yards/INT/PBU), Mapu (6/6/51 yards/PBU), McMillan (2/2/30 yards), Pettus (2/1/13 yards), Elliss (1/1/8 yards), Tavai (4/1/8 yards), J. Jones (1/1/6 yards), M. Jones (1/1/4 yards), Wilson (1/0/0).

DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer