The Patriots lost long-time offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels during the 2022 NFL offseason. He left to become the coach of the Raiders, and many questioned how Bill Belichick would replace the offensive guru.
Belichick opted to take an unconventional approach. He declined to officially hire an offensive coordinator and left the role on his staff shrouded in mystery.
However, it has been widely reported that former Lions coach Matt Patricia is running the offense. He had called the plays during the 2022 NFL preseason — though former Giants coach Joe Judge also called plays at times — and it was expected he would continue doing so during the regular season.
Belichick's decision was met with skepticism. After all, Patricia hadn't held an offensive coaching position at the NFL level since 2005, when he was an assistant offensive line coach with the Patriots. Most of his experience was on the defensive side of the ball.
Entrusting Patricia as the play-caller came with significant risk, and after one week, it looks like a poor decision. Patricia's offense sputtered badly in the Patriots' 20-7 loss to the Dolphins in Week 1.
Just how bad was it? Here's a by-the-numbers look at one of the Patriots' worst offensive performances of the Mac Jones era.
MORE: Mac Jones dealing with back injury after Patriots' loss vs. Dolphins
Patriots offensive stats vs. the Dolphins
1-of-9 drives
The Patriots' offense had the ball for nine drives on Sunday afternoon. They were only able to score on one of the nine. Four of the drives ended in turnovers — two fumbles, one interception, one turnover on downs — while one was a touchdown.
Ironically, the Dolphins scored on as many of the Patriots' drives as New England did. Melvin Ingram recovered a strip-sack fumble by Jones and returned it for a touchdown.
Let's gooo @BlessedJones33 and @MelvinIngram‼️
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 11, 2022
📺: Watch #NEvsMIA on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/HMPWFSFpeW
As such, the Dolphins' defense effectively matched the scoring output of the Patriots' offense.
7 points
This marked the Patriots' fewest points ever scored in a game started by Mac Jones. His previous low was 13 points, which he logged in his third career start against the Saints in Week 3 of the 2021 season.
The Patriots averaged 26.6 points per game during the regular season with Jones as a starter in 2021. They last scored fewer than seven points in Week 14 of the 2020 season when the Rams defeated them 24-3 in a rematch of Super Bowl 54.
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0 first-half points
The Patriots had failed to score in the first half just once in their last 93 games entering their game against the Dolphins. They trailed 17-0 at halftime on Sunday.
It wasn't necessarily for a lack of opportunity. The Patriots had a chance to score on their first drive, but a pass from Jones to DeVante Parker was tipped in the air and intercepted by the Dolphins.
❌ + ⛄️‼️@Iamxavienhoward 💪 @HollywoodVon | 📺: Watch #NEvsMIA on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/Pmj08ozO4K
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 11, 2022
The Patriots generated just 50 yards during the rest of the first half on their four ensuing drives.
17-0
Speaking of that 17-0 deficit, it was the second-largest ever faced by the Patriots under Bill Belichick in a season opener, per ESPN Stats and Info. The only deficit larger than that was the 31-0 lead the Bills held over the Patriots during Week 1 of the 2003 season.
The New England Patriots are currently losing to the Miami Dolphins 17-0 at the half.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 11, 2022
This is the 2nd-largest deficit the Patriots have faced in a season opener under Bill Belichick (lost 31-0 to Bills in 2003 - the Lawyer Milloy game) pic.twitter.com/opk3EM5FB8
87.2 vs. 104.4
The passer rating for Jones compared to that of Tua Tagovailoa. Jones' final stat line was respectable, but he was largely outperformed by his fellow former Alabama quarterback in Week 1.
| Player | Comp. % | Yards | Yards/attempt | TDs | INTs | Rating |
| Mac Jones | 70 | 213 | 7.1 | 1 | 1 | 87.2 |
| Tua Tagovailoa | 69.7 | 270 | 8.2 | 1 | 0 | 104.4 |
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3 vs. 0
The result of the turnover battle, which was won handily by the Dolphins. They forced the Patriots into three turnovers that led to 10 points. The Patriots couldn't generate any takeaways which made those by the offense costly.
