5 Patriots Who Deserve Most Blame for Week 5 Collapse

The New England Patriots have embarked on a season-long journey to redefine "rock bottom" every week.

On Sunday, the Patriots were presented with the opportunity to bounce back against the Miami Dolphins in a divisional clash at Gillette Stadium. Miami had limped to a 1-3 record coming into Foxborough and were the lowest-scoring team in the league as they have struggled to find their rhythm offensively without starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. For a New England team looking to stop their three-game losing skid, the underperforming Dolphins were a chance to get back in the win column.

The Patriots took a lead into halftime and led at the start of the fourth quarter, yet when the dust settled, it was a 15-10 Miami win. Despite possessing second-half leads in both of their home games this season, New England dropped to 0-2 at Gillette.

The Patriots struggled to get out of their own way on Sunday – committing 12 penalties for 105 yards. Former Patriots quarterback and radio analyst Scott Zolak didn't mince words postgame, labeling Sunday "the worst loss since Tom Brady left the team". That might be a bit harsh, but it is a powerful reflection of where much of Pats Nation is at the moment.

As noted by Boston Sports Info, Sunday's loss puts New England in some (unwanted) exclusive company. The Patriots are only the fifth team since the AFL-NFL merger (completed prior to the 1970 season) to: score less than or equal to 62 points, have less than or equal to 600 passing yards, less than or equal to two passing touchdowns, and more than or equal to 19 sacks allowed.

The previous four teams to meet that criteria went a combined 8-48 in those respective seasons. The 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers went 0-14 – not exactly the company that the Patriots would like to keep.

After blowing another second-half lead at home, here are the five Patriots who deserve the most blame for their Week 5 collapse.

5. Joey Slye

Blaming kickers is usually lazy, but the Patriots simply couldn't afford to leave three points on the board on Sunday in such a low-scoring affair.

With the Patriots leading 7-3 and 6:12 remaining in the first half, Slye lined up for a 33-yard attempt – the equivalent distance of an extra point. After Slye converted a franchise-record 63-yarder against the San Francisco 49ers last week, this felt like a very makeable kick for the veteran. Ultimately, Slye hooked the kick wide right, failing to extend New England's lead.

The miss was his first pure miss with the Patriots. Slye's only other "miss" this season was a blocked 48-yarder in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks. He is now 9-for-11 on his kicks this season.

With points at a premium, Slye leaving points on the board didn't do New England any favors by failing to give the Patriots a three-point lead heading into the half.

Ironically, later on Sunday old friend Chad Ryland converted a game-winning field goal for the Arizona Cardinals with 1:37 remaining to lift the Arizona Cardinals victory over the 49ers.