Quarterback

Matt Moore’s rating (99.8) suggests he played great. He threw for 294 yards. He moved around in the pocket and tried to buy time amid a solid rush. But on a day he threw three touchdowns and one interception, the Dolphins probably needed a four-touchdown performance with no interceptions. They needed him to hold on to the ball instead of fumbling it twice. Miami simply needed Moore to be better than just good. GRADE: B.

Running backs

It’s a great thing that Reggie Bush has truly turned into a full-time workhorse back because Daniel Thomas, who got injured again Sunday, hasn’t been much help this season. Bush, meanwhile, is carrying the load and the offense. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry and gained 113 yards. He has rushed for more than 1,000 yards for the first time in his career. He was clearly a weapon on sweeps and tosses. Aside from that, he’s also a solid threat as a check-down receiver. Well done. GRADE: A.

Receivers/Tight ends

Now Brandon Marshall is a deep threat. Who knew? He had a 47-yard catch and a 26-yard catch. He also caught a 19-yard touchdown pass. Brian Hartline also lit up the New England secondary with four catches for 72 yards, including a 39-yarder down the sideline. Hartline also was wide open for what would have been a bomb but the ball was underthrown and intercepted. Davone Bess? He’s in something of a funk lately, and there is no way he’s happy with three catches for 39 yards. The Dolphins missed Anthony Fasano. GRADE: B.

Offensive line

This group is a serious issue. They yielded five sacks to a team that lost its top pass-rusher this week. There was a problem in the exchange between Moore and center Mike Pouncey, and there were communication gaps that somehow left tight end Charles Clay blocking defensive end Shaun Ellis — a matchup that led to a sack. Yes, the run blocking is stellar as it has been much of the year. But great run blocking and terrible pass blocking averages out to average work. GRADE: C-plus

Defensive line

Randy Starks is playing quite well lately, and teams that start out the game in the nickel package expecting no push from Miami’s interior line have badly calculated. Still, the Dolphins required blitzes to get to the quarterback. The run defense was solid until Stevan Ridley got in the game and gained yards basically on his own. GRADE: C-plus.

Linebackers

Kevin Burnett on Aaron Hernandez favors the Patriots. Karlos Dansby on Wes Welker is a crime that favors the Patriots. That aside, Miami’s linebackers were active and in Tom Brady’s face the entire first half. The second half was another story, as the group either got winded or lost its momentum. GRADE: C-plus.

Secondary

Bottom line is that New England threw the football for 304 yards. That represents improvement from the 516 yards the group allowed in the season opener, but it still is not a good day’s work. GRADE: C-minus.

Special teams

No drama. Nothing to see here. And that’s the problem because kickoff return man Clyde Gates had a chance to make this a 24-3 game if only he had been able to avoid a shoestring tackle by New England kicker Stephen Gostkowski. That inability might have been the difference between a win and a loss. GRADE: C-minus.

Coaching

The Dolphins staff won in the first half, but when the Patriots went with their no-huddle in the second half, there was no answer. Miami couldn’t find a way to generate any pressure because the players seemed ill prepared for the speed at which plays were coming at them. Todd Bowles also should have tried on onside kick after his offense got him within 27-24 with 1:48 to play. Time was short, Brady might not have gotten the ball back, and what did he have to lose anyway? As it stood, the Pats got the ball and never relinquished it, ending the game. GRADE: D.

Overall

The Dolphins are 5-10, taking a step back from the past two years when they were 7-9. GRADE: C.