7 winners and losers from the Patriots’ loss to the Dolphins

Here is who caught our eye, for better or worse, in the Patriots’ loss on Sunday.

The New England Patriots dropped their Week 5 contest 15-10 to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday to fall to 1-4 on the year.

Here is who caught our eye for better or worse upon live viewing.

Loser: Coaching staff. As a whole, the sloppy execution continued while New England was called for 12 total penalties that amassed to 105 yards. While players deserve their share of the blame, these reoccurring issues come back to the coaching staff as well.

In the time management department, Jerod Mayo became an error repeater after bungling another end of the half scenario. In almost an exact repeat from Week 2, New England threw back-to-back passes after an eight-yard run as they failed to kill the clock.

Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt deserves some blame there too, as well with his whole body of work. Van Pelt most notably move away from the run game too quickly, despite both backs averaging nearly 8.0 yards per carry.

“Look, there are definitely things that I have to do better as a head coach,” Mayo said. “I would say the staff, they’re still — they’re getting on the same page, and once again, like I said earlier, it’s about getting better every week, and that goes to communication between the staff and then obviously I have to do a better job as a whole.

Winner: CB Christian Gonzalez. It was another day in the office for New England’s top corner, who made one of the plays of the day for the Patriots’ by firing downhill and jumping a slant for an interception in the first quarter. In total, Gonzalez was targeted nine total times (the second most in his career) but allowed just three catches for 45 yards. Tyreek Hill managed to haul in just two of five targets for 34 yards on 21 routes against Gonzalez, according to Next Gen Stats.

Loser: C Nick Leverett. New England’s new-look offensive line seemed to hold up better than it has in recent weeks, despite Jacoby Brissett having a pressure rate of over 50 percent yet again. The main culprit was David Andrews-fill in, as Leverett was tabbed for surrendering eight total pressures. He also was called for a false start and a hold.

Winner: RBs Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson. As mentioned above, New England went away from their run game on Sunday — but it was no fault of Stevenson or Gibson. The duo combined for 141 yards on 18 carries which was highlighted by Stevenson’s 33-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Gibson, who out-snapped Stevenson, continued to be a spark with a 24-yard run on outside zone. In total, the backs had five runs over 10 yards.

Loser: K Joey Slye. It’s been a good start to the season for the Patriots new kicker, but Slye pushed a 33-yard field goal just wide right on Sunday. In a five point loss when the Patriots were down near the end zone late in the fourth quarter, that miss proved costly.

Winner: ST Brenden Schooler. On the other end of the special teams spectrum was Brenden Schooler. The gunner continued his high level coverage in the punt game while also made a big time play to block a field goal. Schooler then would have had another blocked kick on a poor snap on a later attempt. He continues to play at an All-Pro level.

Honorable mentions:

• After being activated off of injured reserve on Saturday, Marte Mapu played nearly the entire game for the Patriots defense and wore the green dot as the signal caller. Mapu, who was praised again by DeMarcus Covington this week for his work in the class room, was noticeable in terms of his communication. There was rust to shake of,f but Mapu seemed to be around the ball often on both the second and third levels of the defense.
• Jacoby Brissett again dealt with pressure and had a few nice moments out of structure, but it was another game where he seemed to see the field and make some questionable decisions. 160 passing yards will not cut it.
• Good things continue to happen when DeMario Douglas gets the football. He led the team with six catches on nine targets for 59 yards.
• Credit Kayshon Boutte for his work in the run game on Stevenson’s touchdown, while Boutte also converted both of his catches into first downs.
• Davon Godchaux had a back-to-back play stretch where he recorded a PBU and then drew a hold.
• Among the penally takers, Keion White was flagged for two unnecessary roughness calls on the same drive to help set up a Dolphins field goal.