The Miami Dolphins were flying high after two blowout wins in Weeks 6 and 7, only to crash back to Earth when they met the New England Patriots last Thursday. A 36-7 loss to the AFC East division leaders was bad, losing All-Pro defensive end Cameron Wake for the remainder of the season was worse. Wake tore his Achilles tendon during the game, with the team placing him on Injured Reserve earlier this week.
How badly did Miami play on Thursday night? Pretty badly, but it was also just the third game under interim head coach Dan Campbell, during a short week in which he really only got one full practice, going into Gillette Stadium, where the Patriots do not lose. It was an ugly loss, but a loss was probably expected at this point. How will the Dolphins fare in this week's roundup of NFL Power Rankings? Let us find out.
SB Nation
Rank: 19
Change: -3
The Dolphins looked punchless against the Patriots.
Mile High Report
Rank: 22
Change: -5
Well, I think we can lay that Miami Dolphins hype to rest now. Rest in peace.
ESPN
Rank: 17
Change: -4
Since Dan Campbell took over, the Dolphins have run the ball by design on 42 percent of plays compared to 26 percent under Joe Philbin this season. Makes sense considering the Dolphins average the second-most yards per rush in the league (5.0).
NFL.com
Rank: 18
Change: -1
The Dan Campbell love affair ... Still going strong, Dolphins fans, or was it a two-week stand? Hopefully everyone will be patient, although it certainly would've been preferable to see Miami put up a bit of a fight in Foxborough, as opposed to taking a beatdown of the 7-36 variety. The Cameron Wake injury is devastating, and it really impacts what this team can do defensively. Looks like he won't be making this team (2015 All-Pro), either. On to Buffalo ...
Yahoo Sports
Rank: 18
Change: -4
Losing at New England wasn't the worst thing that could happen. It seems like everyone will lose there this season. But losing defensive end Cam Wake, just as he started to get things going, might be a death blow.
CBS Sports
Rank: 13
Change: NC
Reality hit them in the face last Thursday against the Patriots. Now they have to move on without pass rusher Cam Wake, who is out for the year. That's tough.
MLive.com
Rank: 17
Change: -4
The loss to New England was Dan Campbell's first since taking over for Joe Philbin, but the bigger blow was losing defensive end Cameron Wake for the season.
Pro Football Talk
Rank: 15
Change: -3
Dan Campbell wants them to remember the feeling from Thursday night. There’s a chance they’ll be reliving it regularly.
Washington Post
Rank: 16
Change: -4
So Dan Campbell isn’t an interim-coach miracle worker, after all. The lopsided defeat Thursday night in Foxborough, Mass., showed that the Dolphins still have a long way to go. And now they must try to get it done without standout pass rusher Cameron Wake, who was lost for the season with a torn Achilles’ tendon.
FanSpeak
Rank: 19
Change: -5
The Dolphins were blown out by the Patriots on Thursday night, but they had showed a lot of promise in the two weeks prior. If they can build on that they can still get in the wild card race.
USA Today
Rank: 23
Change: -5
Dan Campbell regime got reality check after soft opening. Still, remainder of schedule offers opportunity to vie for wild card.
Averages
Last Week: 14
This Week: 18