MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Without Rob Gronkowski on Monday night, the New England Patriots offense looked disjointed, wholly ineffective on third down.
Without Kyle Van Noy and Trey Flowers, the defense did little to pressure Jay Cutler and slow down Miami running back Kenyan Drake.
And a Patriots squad that looked poised to run the table was gashed by the floundering Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium, suffering a 27-20 defeat that knocks them one game back of the Steelers in the AFC.
The good news for Patriots fans: Rob Gronkowski returns from suspension for next Sunday's showdown at Pittsburgh. Clearly, his presence changes the entire offense. After Julian Edelman's season-ending ACL tear, we wondered if the Pats could overcome an injury to Gronkowski, too.
We got our answer on Monday night. No, they absolutely cannot. They need Gronk for the postseason.
And even with the loss at Miami, the Patriots still control their own destiny in the AFC. If they beat the Steelers on Sunday, they will reclaim the No. 1 spot in the conference. If they lose to Pittsburgh, they could lose out on a first-round bye.
Before we get to the playoff scenarios, though, a quick recap of the Monday night debacle:
**This was one of the worst games Tom Brady has played in quite some time. Brady never found a rhythm without Gronkowski in the lineup. When he had time to throw, his receivers were unable to create separation. The offense devolved into a series of desperate downfield heaves in the second half. Brady was unable to connect with Chris Hogan on several deep attempts. Brandin Cooks had one catch on seven targets. His only reception of the game -- a 38-yard gain -- came just before the two-minute warning.
Brady finished 24-of-43 for 233 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
**The protection wasn't great, but it was good enough to win. The biggest issue for the Patriots offense was the receivers' collective inability to get open. Miami's secondary was the difference.
**Some strange play-calling, too. In the second quarter, the Patriots ran a jet sweep to James White on 3rd-and-1. He was stopped short of the sticks.
On a 3rd-and-1 in the third quarter, Brady misfired on a comeback route to Cooks.
And, trailing 27-17 in the final minute, the Pats refused to run the ball on the Miami 1-yard line. After a series of incompletions and penalties, they ended up kicking a field goal.
The Dolphins recovered the ensuing onside kick and clinched the win with two kneel downs.