MIAMI (AP) — Even five time zones away in Hawaii, where Tua Tagovailoa grew up following football and dreaming of an NFL career, the New England Patriots left an impression he can describe with just one word.
“Dominant,” Tagovailoa said.
No more. Mediocre is more like it in 2020, the first year of New England’s post-Tom Brady era.
The Patriots (6-7) head into Sunday’s game against the Dolphins and Tagovailoa with their NFL-record run of 11 consecutive playoff appearances in dire jeopardy, and their reign atop the AFC East at an end.
For a change, the Patriots are looking up in the December standings at the Dolphins (8-5), who need a win to bolster their chances to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016.