Damien Harris and the Patriots running game continue to excel, but New England needs to improve the rest of its game to succeed in the playoffs. Doug Murray/Associated Press
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The Patriots have talked about needing to summon a heightened sense of urgency since having their seven-game win streak ended during a mistaken-laden loss at Indianapolis last month.
Three games and two more losses later, New England is still trying to find a way out of its fog as it attempts to retool in time for its wild-card playoff matchup with division rival Buffalo on Saturday night.
If nothing else, Patriots Coach Bill Belichick said they know what they can expect from the Bills this week.
“We know they’re a good team,” he said. “They certainly played well in the last game we had against them. Yeah. We have a lot to get ready for.”
Another slow start and unforced errors doomed the Patriots from the outset of their 33-24 loss at Miami on Sunday.
Rookie quarterback Mac Jones’ second-quarter pick-6 to Xavien Howard put the Patriots in a 14-0 hole, which typically hasn’t meant good things this season.
The Patriots fell to 4-6 this season when failing to score first and to 2-6 when not scoring in the first quarter.
Jones took a lot of blame for Sunday’s shortcomings.
“It’s super embarrassing, honestly, just from my point how I played,” he said. “Wasn’t good enough. And I can be better. And it starts with me. I’m the quarterback. And that’s my job is to make people around me have success. And it starts with me, so we’ll get it fixed. … We’ve got a great opportunity next week. And that’s all you can ask for.”
Belichick said his message to the team this week is uncomplicated.
“Try to play and coach well,” he said. “It’s a one-game season. It’s no big mystery.”
WHAT’S WORKING
If there is something positive for New England to build on offensively heading into the postseason, it’s that its run game continues to be productive. The Patriots rushed for 134 yards and two touchdowns Sunday. The Patriots ranked second in the NFL with 24 rushing TDs and eighth in the league with 2,151 rushing yards this season.
WHAT NEEDS HELP
The Patriots were called for eight penalties Sunday, tying their season high. It was the fourth time New England has been flagged eight times in a game this season, all losses. The Patriots also had eight penalties in their season-opening loss to the Dolphins.
STOCK UP
Brandon Bolden showed exactly why the Patriots brought him back this season, producing his first rushing touchdown of the season on a 15-yard run in the second quarter. He also caught a 18-yard TD pass in the fourth during their comeback effort. With rookie RB Rhamondre Stevenson suffering a head injury in the first half, Bolden’s number could be called more this week.
STOCK DOWN
Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was adamant last week that Jones hasn’t hit a rookie wall late in the season. But his efficiency certainly tailed off over the final four games (six TDs, five INTs). The pick-6 he threw to Howard was one of his worst throws of the season. He also had a costly false start just before halftime that forced a punt.
INJURED
New England lost LT Isaiah Wynn to an ankle injury in the second quarter. Stevenson and DB Sean Davis (shoulder) also had first-half injury issues. Then with less than two minutes left, DT Christian Barmore suffered a knee injury. In addition, LB Dont’a Hightower was inactive as he continues to deal with a knee issue.
KEY NUMBER
2-9 — The Patriots’ record in games played in Miami under Belichick.
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