The New England Patriots came close to securing their second win of the season, but a controversial ruling cost them the game. In their 15-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins, rookie receiver Ja’Lynn Polk’s 12-yard touchdown catch with just over a minute left was overturned upon review.
The play initially seemed to be a game-winning moment for the Patriots, but the “toe-heel” rule led to the call being reversed. Although Polk’s left foot landed in the end zone and his right toe made contact inbounds, his right heel landed out of bounds, rendering the catch incomplete.
NFL vice president of officiating George Stewart explained that the “toe-heel” rule was the key factor in the decision. According to this rule, if the receiver’s heel touches out of bounds after the toe lands inbound, the pass is incomplete. Stewart noted that Polk’s second step involved his heel touching the white out-of-bounds line, making the catch invalid. Even though the play was extremely close, Patriots coach Jerod Mayo agreed with the officials, acknowledging that the correct call had been made under the rules.
The overturned touchdown left the Patriots with two more chances to score, but they couldn’t capitalize. Their defense managed to stop the Dolphins one more time, giving them a final opportunity to drive down the field. However, a last-minute drive ended at Miami’s 11-yard line, sealing the Patriots’ defeat. Polk, a second-round draft pick, expressed frustration after the game, noting that the offense had struggled throughout the match, accumulating 12 penalties and 104 yards.
Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett also had a rough game, finishing with 160 passing yards on 18-of-34 attempts. He failed to reach 100 passing yards until the fourth quarter, which contributed to the team’s offensive woes. The loss marked the Patriots’ fourth consecutive defeat after their Week 1 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Coach Mayo had previously voiced concerns about the offense’s struggles, raising questions about whether he might soon turn to rookie quarterback Drake Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in the draft.
Despite speculation about a potential quarterback change, Mayo deflected questions on the issue after the game, choosing instead to focus on the team’s overall offensive execution. He praised Brissett for his toughness and for enduring heavy hits but emphasized that the entire offense needs to improve.
The Patriots’ offensive line has been inconsistent, with five different starting combinations in five games, and their receiving corps has been the least productive in the NFL. The team’s continued offensive struggles leave lingering uncertainty about its future direction.
