New England dropped to 3-9 on the season while Miami improved to 5-6.

Here are four takeaways from the embarrassing loss in South Beach, a game where the final verdict was closer than the game itself:

A massive step backward
The Patriots moved closer to average in recent weeks. They were still a below-average team with below-average talent, but they looked closer to mediocrity. They were competitive. Well, that wasn’t the case Sunday as New England took a massive step backward at Hard Rock Stadium. The offensive line struggled mightily in front of quarterback Drake Maye (four sacks) and running back Rhamondre Stevenson (eight carries, 13 yards). The zone-heavy defenses by defensive-minded head coach Jerod Mayo and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington were carved up by Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. The Dolphins ran circles around New England’s secondary (308 passing yards) and easily found holes on the backend. Mayo made a head-scratching coaching decision, too. It was a narrative-changing day for the Patriots, who failed to show up in any phase.

Biggest draft need couldn’t be more clear
New England’s offensive line had poor performances previously, but Sunday’s was arguably the group’s worst showing of the campaign. The offensive line committed a handful of penalties as false starts and holding calls halted just about every positive possession. Right tackle Demontrey Jacobs, who was benched in the fourth quarter, allowed seven pressures and one sack, per Pro Football Focus. Left guard Michael Jordan, who again struggled to solve routine stunts, allowed four pressures and one sack. Left tackle Vederian Lowe was penalized four times (three false starts, hold) in the first half alone. The Patriots need an offensive tackle more than anything else in the 2024 NFL Draft. They need multiple, actually. Another obvious need following Sunday’s loss: cornerback.

We can say it: Drake Maye made another mistake
Maye has been the Patriots’ best player since he took over, and it hasn’t been close. He’s also made a few costly mistakes in game-altering moments. The rookie made a poor decision and threw off his back foot with five minutes remaining and the Patriots scratching and clawing to tighten the 16-point gap. His pass was intercepted and put the game — a game New England never felt like it was in — on ice. Maye also was intercepted with two minutes left in New England’s Week 11 loss after a miscommunication with DeMario Douglas. Maye has experienced growing pains — he had another miscommunication with Douglas against the Dolphins — and it’s fair to say it. He’s also the team’s best player. Both things can be true.

Jonnu Smith revenge game!
New England’s secondary got cooked for a second straight week. And it was none other than Smith who led the effort with star receiver Jaylen Waddle (eight catches, 144 yards, touchdown). Smith, who spent two seasons with the Patriots before he was traded during the 2023 offseason, was on pace for a career year entering Week 12. His production against the Patriots — nine catches on 11 targets for 87 yards and one touchdown — likely will help him get there. Yes, that’s the same tight end who had 55 catches for 539 yards and one touchdown in 30 games with the Patriots.