Despite the play of the rest of the line, we shouldn’t overlook just how bad Vollmer (-6.1) was. He struggled in the run game, but his play was especially abysmal in pass protection. Left to face Cameron Wake one-on-one for most of the game, he allowed seven disruptions and failed to block both inside and outside rushes. Of course, few tackles can single-handedly contain one of the NFL’s best pass rushers, but you expect him to offer some resistance. No play was worse than at 10:56 of the third quarter, when Wake easily disengaged and got around Vollmer for a crucial sack on third down.

Though he only played 43% of the team’s offensive snaps, Daniel Thomas (­-4.0) had about as bad a game as a player can have. His work in the running game was disappointing; on five carries, he only managed to gain 10 yards, with most of that coming on his long run of nine. His second quarter fumble deep in Miami territory helped set up a Patriots field goal, a critical turnover in a game in which offense was hard to come by. And as bad as Thomas was in the running game, his efforts in the passing game were even more disappointing. While the second year RB did catch two passes for 19 yards, he was abysmal in pass protection. On his five snaps in pass protection, Thomas was beaten three times for a hurry, a hit, along with a drive-killing sack on a third-and-four midway through the fourth quarter. Aptly, his Pass Blocking Efficiency rating of 50.0 was the lowest of the week by any back, tight end, or offensive lineman.

Safety Net

What a day for Reshad Jones (+3.6), who is having a breakout season and playing as well as any safety in the league right now. The highlight of the day was the spectacular interception at 3:22 in the first quarter, as he blanketed Hernandez down the sideline and caught the ball one-handed, returning the pick for a touchdown, though it was called back for an illegal block. That was the only time Jones was targeted in coverage all game, and he made the most of it, albeit on a slight underthrow from Brady. On the season, the safety is allowing just 48% of passes thrown his way to be completed, and is giving up fewer than 0.5 yards per snap in coverage. The interception wasn’t his only big play, however, as he picked up a big sack early in the fourth quarter, beating guard Donald Thomas, when the Patriots were inside the Dolphins’ five yard-line.

Jones was not perfect though, as he picked up a pass interference penalty in coverage against Daniel Fells and also missed a tackle on a Ridley run as the Patriots were icing the game.

Could Have Done More

Games like these make you come away wanting more from the Dolphins receiver group. For most teams, going against the New England secondary would be a favorable matchup, but Miami didn’t have the same success. Ryan Tannehill completed less than 50% of his passes and the wide outs generally struggled to get separation and, at times, failed to catch the ball when they did. Brian Hartline (+1.3 receiving) had the best day of the unit, hauling in five passes for 84 yards. Considering he was targeted 10 times, though, those numbers are less impressive. And add to that a dropped pass and a false start penalty and you can see why they largely struggled to move the ball. Hartline’s teammate, Davone Bess (-2.6), had an even worse game. Despite running the most routes of anyone on the team (36), Bess caught just one pass for 13 yards and dropped two others. It’s safe to say that the Dolphins, and their rookie quarterback, need more help from the receiving group going forward.

Game Notes

- When the Patriots blitzed, Ryan Tannehill completed 1-of-7 passes for 22 yards.

That footnote about the passing game just made my head explode. " .....failed to catch the ball when they got separation." Bwahahahah. Damn you Hartline!!! Why can't you run full speed up field then turnaround on the drop of a dime and catch a pass thrown behind you!!!!! Why can't you extend your arms like Inspector Gadget to catch the one thrown too far in front of you!