Miami Dolphins 21 vs. 23 New England Patriots summary: stats and highlights | NFL Week 17
The New England Patriots are still alive in the AFC Wild Card race after winning a must win game over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday afternoon. Kyle Dugger had the game changing play in the third quarter, when he took an interception to the house to turn the tides for the Pats in a crucial 23-21 win at Gillette Stadium.
Tua in protocol again
The Dolphins came into Sunday having lost their last four games, and would be without their starting quarterback after Tua Tagovailoa was placed in concussion protocol for the third time this year. The Patriots came into Week 17 still reeling from their devastating loss to the Raiders in the last second of the game two weeks ago, and knew they needed a win to keep their playoff chances alive.
The Pats scored on their first drive of the game as QB Mac Jones marched New England down the field, and connected with rookie WR Tyquan Thorton for the game's first score.
Miami punched back on the following possession as the Dolphins had an uncharacteristically long, time consuming drive that was polished off by a Bridgewater pass to Tyreek Hill who took the two yard scamper into the end zone to tie the game up at 7-7 on the first play of the second quarter.
Dugger with the game changing INT
Bridgewater was 12/19 for 161 with a TD and an interception before having to leave the game late in the third quarter. He was injured on his only interception of the game, and the Kyle Dugger pick six would be the play that turned the tide in favor of the home side.
Both offenses shut off during the second quarter and for the majority of the third quarter, but Dugger gave the Pats the lead back with under three minutes in the third quarter with the interception that went for the TD.
With Bridgewater on the bench, Skylar Thompson came in under center for the Dolphins but he wasn’t able to turn the offense on until the very end of the game.
Must win games for MIA and NE next week
He threw a pick on his first possession, and while the Pats couldn’t punish Miami after the turnover, Mac Jones did lead a drive that would extend the lead to a two possession game. Jones hit Jakobi Meyers to stretch the lead to 23-14 and that Pats defense would finish the job for the final four and a half minutes.
Jones went 20/33 for 203 yards and two TDs in the Pats’ biggest game of the season. New England and Miami are now tied at 8-8 going into the final week of the season. Both teams are still in the mix for the final Wild Card spot, but the Pats will need to beat the Bills and the Dolphins will have to take down the Jets next week.
Up by two, the Pats put the game almost out of reach when Mac Jones hit Jakobi Meyers who skied for this lobbed ball to the end zone to make it a two possession game.
Teddy Bridgewater was injured on the NE pick six, and Skylar Thompson came in under center. Shortly after coming off the bench it was Jonathan James who made the pick on the Dolphins third stringer.
This is the play that changed the game. Kyle Dugger stepped in front of the Bridgewater thrown and took the pick 36 yards to the house. The Dolphins would not recover after that.
The Dolphins responded on the next drive when Bridgewater hit Tyreek Hill for a three yard TD.
The Pats scored on their first drive after Mac Jones marched them down the field and found Tyquan Thoron for the TD.
IT'S ALL OVER!!!
The Pats stay alive in the Wild Card race as the Dolphins drop their 5th straight!!
The onside kick is recovered by Henry and the the Patriots will hold on for the win in Foxborough!!!
TOUCHDOWN MIAMI!!!
Thompson rolling right and finds Gesicki for a 4 yard TD!
MIA is still in this game, but will need an onside kick, down 23-21 with 1:04 to go in the game.
Thompson goes to the corner for Gesecki, but that pass is broken up. Flags fly as the Pats are called for defensive holding.
1st and Goal form the NE 4.
Thompson finds Sherfield on the right side with a deep shot for a gain of 23 yards.
1st and Goal from the NE 8, and the clock stops with 1:16 as NE's Jones was slow to get up.
Thompson's pass to Gesicki is incomplete on 1st down.
2nd and 10 from the NE 31.
On 4th and 7, Thompson finds Hill over the middle for a gain of 17 and that will move the chains and keep the Dolphins in this game.
1st and 10 from the NE 31.
After a delay of game backed up the Dolphins to 3rd and 7 form the NE 48, Thompson's pass to Gesicki falls short and that will bring us to the Two Minute Warning.
4th and 7 coming up after the break.
Thompson over the middle to Wilson, and that pass was behind the RB.
3rd and 2 from the NE 43.
Thompson looking for Ahmed and that short pass goes for 8 yards.
2nd and 2 from the NE 43.
Thompson and the Dolphins move the chains after a couple of short completions.
1st and 10 form the MIA 49.
TURNOVER ON DOWNS!!!
The Pats go for it and Jones is sacked for a loss of 10 on 4th down, and the Dolphins will take over from the MIA 39 with 2:25 to go.
End around to Bourne and he is stopped after a gain of 2 yards. MIA take another TO with 2:28 on the clock and the Pats have 4th and 4 coming up.
Harris gets 4 yards on 2nd down and the Dolphins take a timeout with 2:39 to go.
3rd and 6 from the MIA 31.
The Pats start their drive from the MIA 35, and Harris is stopped for no gain.
2nd and 10 from the MIA 35.
TURNOVER ON DOWNS!!!
Thompson looking for Wilson on 4th and long and he had a lot of work to do after making the catch but came up 7 yards short.
Turnover on downs and this game is all but over.
Thompson is dropped for a six yard sack and that will make things very difficult on 4th down.
4th and 16 from the MIA 26.
Thompson rolling right and looks for Sherfield up the sideline and that is broken up.
3rd and 10 from the MIA 32.
Miami get the ball from the 32, and and Thompson goes to the air on first down looking for Wilson, but he got crushed on release and it falls incomplete.
2nd and 10 form the MIA 32.
TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS!!!
On 3rd and Goal from the 1, Jones lobs it up to Meyers and the big WR went up and grabbed it at it's highest point.
The PAT is good and we have a two possession game in New England, it's 23-14 Pats with 4:37 to go in the game.
On 1st and Goal from the 5 Jones pass to Thorton is almost caught in the back of the end zone but he couldn't get both feet in.
2nd and Goal from the 5.
On 3rd and 5 from the MIA 27, Jones goes deep to Meyers and he was draped by the defender at the 5 yard line.
Flag flies for pass interference and the Pats get it at the 5.
Sorry for the delay, was just having some technical difficuties. The Dolphins were forced to punt, and pined the Pats back to the NE 11, and Bourne took the first pass of the drive for 16 yards on a pass to the flat.
Then the Pats started to chip down the field all the way into Dolphins territory.
1st and 10 from the NE 27.
Thompson looking to Wilson on the left side but that pass is incomplete.
3rd and 7 from the MIA 23.
The Dolphins start their drive from the 20, and Thompson scrambles for a gain of 3 yards.
2nd and 7 from the MIA 23.
Jones looking for Thorton but the pass falls incomplete.
4th and 4 and the Pats go three and out after the pick.
Harris takes the run to the left side and he gets 5 yards.
3rd and 4 from the NE 43.
Jones connects with Meyers for a short gain of 1 on first down.
2nd and 9 from the NE 38.
INTERCEPTION!!!
Thompson looking for Hill on the left sideline and it pops out of his hands and falls into the hands of Jones for the pick.
NE take over from the NE 37.
Thompson tucked and ran for the first down, but an illegal shift on Hill will back the Dolphins to the NE 42.
3rd and 14 coming up.
Miami starts the 4th quarter from the NE 37 yard line and Sherfield had the pass to the right side jarred out of his hands.
3rd and 9 from the NE 37.
Wilson gets the first down hand off and gets a yard, and that will take us to the end of the third quarter.
Dolphins looking to tie or take the lead at the start of the fourth quarter.
A neutral zone infraction, Thompson finds Mostert for 17 yards and then a roughing the passer will move the Dolphins down the field 15 more yards.
1st and 10 from the NE 38.
Thompson gets those 4 yards back with a pass to Mostert.
3rd and 10 form the MIA 35.
Bridgewater got injured on the pick six!!! Skylar Thompson comes in under center and will take over from the 25 yard line.
Screen pass to Mostert and that was blown up for a loss of 4 yards.
2nd and 14 from the MIA 21
PICK SIX PATRIOTS!!!
After a false start backed up the Dolphins to 3rd and long Bridgewater was looking for Sherfield and Dugger stepped in and made the pick and took it 39 yards to the house.
NE lead 17-14 after the huge defensive play with less than three minutes left in the third quarter.
Wilson is stopped for no gain on 2nd down.
3rd and 10 from the MIA 29.
Bridgewater looking for Waddle after the play action on first down, but the pressure came and the pass was short.
2nd and 10 from the MIA 29.
MIA get the ball back from the 30 after a decent return from Mostert.
FIELD GOAL PATRIOTS!!!
Folk comes on and drills the 49 yard field goal to cut into the Dolphins lead.
MIA lead 14-10 with 4:03 to go in the third quarter.
After a false start on third down, Jones finds Henry for a gain of 6 yards, but the Pats are 5 yards short of the marker.
They will bring out the FG unit from the MIA 31.
Jones finds Stevenson out of the backfield for a short gain of 4 on 2nd down.
3rd and 6 from the MIA 32.
Jones looking for Thorton again this time down the right side, but this time the pass was well overthrown.
2nd and 10 from the MIA 36.
Big strike from Jones to Thorton over the secondary and he brought it down for a 29 yard gain.
1st and 10 from the MIA 36.
Jones finds Meyers over the middle for a gain of 5 yards on the crossing route.
3rd and 5 from the NE 35.
Harris is stopped for no gain on first down.
2nd and 10 from the NE 30.
Jones finds Henry for 11 yards on a short pass to the right side and the Pats have their first first down of the second half.
1st and 10 from the NE 30.
The Pats start their drive from the NE 18 and Harris gets a yard on first down.
2nd and 9 from the NE 19.
The Dolphins got great field position and Bridgewater hit his second TD pass of the day with this little flip to Mostert.
TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS!!!
The pocket collapsed on Bridgewater and he stepped up and had a pitch pass to Mostert for a two yard TD and the Dolphins take their first lead of the day.
MIA lead 14-7 with 9:17 to go in the third quarter.
Mostert gets 4 yards on the first down run to the left side.
2nd and Goal from the 2.
The Dolphins going to their bag of tricks and Wilson gets 9 yards on the reverse.
1st and Goal from the 6 coming up.
Mostert gets the run out of the shot gun and takes it 3 yards.
2nd and 7 form the NE 15.
Waddle with a slant over the middle for a big play to move the chains.
1st and 10 from the NE 18 after a 23 yard gain.
Jones looking to Stevenson out of the backfield and the RB couldn't make that catch over the middle.
The Pats punt again after another three and out.
Stevenson gets the second down carry and gets 3 yards on the run to the left side.
3rd and 7 coming up.
NE start their drive from the 10 and Jones looks for Henry on the left side, but skipped the pass to his TE.
2nd and 10 from the NE 10.
Bridgewater looking to Sherfield on the right side and he is pushed out of bounds before making the catch.
4th and 9 and the Dolphins go three and out.
Bridgewater going deep and there was no one in the area but NE's McCoutry, but he fluffed the catch and the Dolphins are lucky to have 3rd and 9.
The Dolphins start their first drive of the second half from the MIA 40 and Wilson took the first down run for a yard.
2nd and 9 fro the MIA 41.
The Pats go three and out after Jones looks for Agholor deep down the field but overthrew it by 10 yards.
4th and 6 from the NE 29 and the Pats will punt.
WE ARE BACK IN PLAY FROM NEW ENGLAND!!!
Pats start the second half with the ball and will begin their drive from the 25.
Jones goes to the air for Meyers on first down, but the pass falls incomplete.
On the next drive the Dolphins went down the field Bridgewater found Hill for a 3 yard catch and run for a TD.
Jones marched the Pats down the field on their first drive and found Thorton on the left side for the opening TD of the game.
The Pats have just 120 total yards and Jones is 8-13 for 92 yards and a TD, while Stevenson has 30 yards on the ground on 5 carries.
The Dolphins have 186 yards of total offense with Bridgewater going 10-13 for 136 yards and a TD, while Wilson has 32 yards on 10 carries.
The Pats scored a TD on their first possession and then the Dolphins evened up the game on the drive after.
Since then it's been a battle of field postion as neither offense really moved the ball after getting into the end zone.
Harris is stopped for no gain on 3rd and short and that is going to bring us to the end of the half!!
We are all square here from New England with the Pats and the Dolphins tied at 7.
Jones looking deep down the middle for Thorton, but the pass was long gone.
3rd and 1 from the NE 22.
Jones hits Harris for 9 yards and the Pats go no huddle.
2nd and 1 from the NE 22.
Great punt from Morstead and the Pats start the drive from their 2 yard line with 1:35 to go in the half.
Harris get the run up the middle and takes it 11 yards to give the Pats some breathing room.
On 3rd and long Bridgewater finds Waddle over the middle for 17 yards, but he's still five yards short of the marker.
4th and 5 from the NE 48 and the Dolphins will punt.
Bridgewater is brought down for a loss of 12 after Wise and Davis broke into the backfield and sacked the Dolphins QB.
We are at the Two Minute Warning and the Dolphins will have 3rd and long out of the break.
We are under 3 minutes in the first half and Wilson gets stopped for no gain on 1st down.
2nd and 10 from the MIA 47.
Wilson gets the handoff on the run up the middle for 11 yards.
1st and 10 form the MIA 47.
Bridgewater finds Wilson out of the backfield and he takes it 9 yards on the catch and run.
2nd and 1 from the MIA 36.
Bridgewater finds Smythe on a short pass to the left and he turns and picks up the first down after a 9 yard gain.
1st and 10 from the MIA 27.
Here come the Dolphis from the 14 yard line and Mostert gets 4 yards on first down.
2nd and 6 from the MIA 18.
Jones goes incomplete on second down and then looked for Stevenson out of the backfield on 3rd and long, but the pass falls incomplete.
4th and long and the Pats will punt after going three and out.
NE starts their drive from their 41, but a false start backs the Pats up to the 36.
Stevenson gets 3 yards on first down and long.
2nd and 12 from the NE 39.
MISSED FIELD GOAL!!!
Sanders 51 yard field goal started down the middle but the faded to the outside of the right post.
We are tied at 7-7 with 6:21 to go.
Bridgewater looking for Waddle, but the pass came in behind the WR and the Dolphins bring the field goal unit on on 4th and 7.
Wilson gets a yard on second down.
3rd and 7 from the NE 33.
Wilson gets 2 yards on the first down run.
2nd and 8 from the NE 34.
Bridgewater checks down to Mostert out of the backfield and he breaks a few tackles and moves the chains after a 25 yard gain.
1st and 10 from the NE 36.
Mostert gets a yard on second down and the Dolphins are looking at 3rd and short.
3rd and 3 from the MIA 39.
Mostert gets the handoff to the left and takes it 6 yards on first down.
2nd and 4 from the MIA 38.
Bridgewater finds Mostert out of the backfield and he takes it 8 yards up the right sideline for a first down.
1st and 10 from the MIA 32.
MIA take over from the 20 yards line and Mostert gets the pitch and takes it 4 yards.
2nd and 6 from the MIA 24.
Jones is sacked again, this time by Roberts for a loss of 12 yards.
4th and 13 from the MIA 45 and the Pats will punt.
Stevenson gets a huge chunk on 2nd and long and the 18 yard run will bring up 3rd and 1 from the MIA 33.
JOnes is dropped by Wilkins for a loss of 9 yards and that brings up a 2nd and long. First big play from the MIA defense.
2nd and 19 from the NE 49.
Jones goes deep to Henry for a 29 yard big hit play on the right side!
1st and 10 from the MIA 42.
NE will start their second drive from the 25 yard line.
Jones looks for Harris over the middle for 5 yards on first down.
2nd and 5 from the NE 30.
Great play design from McDaniel and Bridgewater took it up the sideline for the 3 yard TD catch and run on the first play of the second quarter.
TOUCHDOWN MIAMI!!!
Bridgewater hit Hill who was in motion and he took it up the sideline for a 3 yard TD as he sneaks inside the pylon to tie the game up.
Dolphins 7, Pats 7 early in the second quarter.
Mostert gets the handoff from the 5 and picks up 3 yards, and that will be the last play of the first quarter.
Dolphins are down 7-0 but they are knocking on the dooor.
Bridgewater fires a laser over hand of a linebacker and sticks it to the chest of Gesicki for 14 yards.
1st and Goal from the NE 5.
Wilson gets another handoff on first down and takes it to the left side for 5 yards.
2nd and 5 from the NE 19.
Wilson took the run to the right on 1st down for 4 yards and then Bridgewater finds Hill on a deep out route for 19 yards.
1st and 10 from the NE 24.
Bridgewater finds Wilson over the middle on a 13 yard first down connection!
1st and 10 from the NE 47.
Wilson gets another 2 yard gain on second down.
3rd and 6 from the MIA 38.
Wilson gets the first down run and takes it for 2 yards.
2nd and 8 from the MIA 36.
A running into the kicker on the punt moved the Dolphins up to 4th and 1 again and coach McDaniels brings the offense back on the field and they pick up the 1st down with a 2 yard run up the middle for Wilson.
The Dolphins were going to go for it, but a false start will back them up and MIA will now punt the ball on 4th and 6.
Bridgewater tucks it and runs for 6 yards, but gets popped a yard short of the marker.
The Dolphins showed like they were going to go for it on 4th and 1, but then took a timeout with the play clock coming down.
Bridgewater searching for Wilson on the right side, but that pass was overthrown.
3rd and 7 from the MIA 28.
The Dolphins get the ball back down 7-0 from the 25 yard line and Wilson takes the first down handoff for 3 yards.
2nd and 7 from the MIA 28.
Jones, the second year QB, finds Thorton the rookie for the first TD of the game.
TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS!!!
Jones marches the Pats down the field on the first NE drive of the day and finds Thorton in the endzone for a 7 yard TD!!!
NE lead 7-0 with 7:15 to go in the first quarter.
NE took a timeout with the play clock running down, and after the TO Stevenson gets a yard on the second down run.
3rd and 6 coming up.
Stevenson gets the run up the middle and picks up 3 yards on first down.
2nd and 7 from the MIA 8.
Jones looking for Meyers in the end zone, but the pass falls incomplete. Flag flies and it's against the Dolphins for defensive holding.
1st and 10 form the 11.
Harris got 8 yards on first down, and then Jones' pass to Meyers was incomplete.
3rd and 2 from the MIA 16.
Jones looks for Meyers on a short slant pattern and he takes it 17 yards on the catch and run.
1st and 10 from the MIA 24.
The catch is ruled as a completion and the Pats get the ball at the MIA 24 after the 24 yard catch.
Fantastic snag by Henry on the right sideline for a gain of 24, as he stretched for that ball, but did he get his second foot down? The refs called it a catch but the Dolphins want them to take another look.
Jones finds Henry in the flat and he gets 2 yards before getting pushed out of bounds.
2nd and 8 from the NE 35.
Jones goes to Agoholor on 3rd down, and a pass interference flag flies on Crossen. That will move the chains and put the Pats at the NE 33.
Stevenson gets the handoff on second down and takes it to the right side for 5 yards.
3rd and 5 from the NE 24.
The Pats start their drive from the 19 yard line and Jones goes to the air on first down, but his pass to Meyers is incomplete.
2nd and 10 form the NE 19.
What a catch from Hill on a deep shot down the sideine, but Hill couldn't get his second foot down.
4th and 6 coming up and the Dolphins will punt.
Flag flies on MIA, after Bridgewater was called for a false start. After the penalty, Bridgewater finds Sherfield on the pass to the right side for 7 yards.
3rd and 6 from the MIA 44.
Mostert gets another two yard gain on first down.
2nd and 8 from the MIA 42.
Bridgewater connects on his first pass of the day, finding Hill over the middle for 15 yards.
1st and 10 from the MIA 40.
Mostert gets the opening handoff from the 23, and takes the first down run 2 yards up the middle.
2nd and 8 from the MIA 25.
WE ARE UNDERWAY FROM NEW ENGLAND!!!
The Dolphins get the ball first and will start the first drive from the 23 yard line and here comes Teddy Bridgewater and Miami.
Today's odds
According to Bet365.com the Patriots are 3 point favorites, and the Over/Under is set at 41.5.
I'm taking the over in this game. I think both offense come out and light it up in a must win game on a balmy day in New England.
Last game
These two teams first met in Week 1 and the Dolphins won that season opener 20-7 in Miami. The Dolphins took a fumble to the house and Jaylen Waddle caught his first TD pass of the year in the second quarter as the defense shut down Mac Jones and the Patriots.
Teddy gets the start
For the third time this season, Tua Tagovailoa has been placed on concussion protocol and that means Teddy Bridgewater will be under center in this must win game in New England. In a back up role, Bridgewater has thrown for 522 yards, 3 TDs and 3 INTs.
AFC Standings
The Bills have the AFC East wrapped up after the Dolphins, Jets and Pats have drifted back in the standings, but all three of those teams have a chance to get to the playoffs. The Ravens and Chargers have already clinched two Wild Card births and the Dolphins are hanging on to the last playoff spot by a thread, but the Pats, Jets, Steelers and Titans are both on their tails.
| AFC East | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
1 bufBuffalo Bills | 12 | 3 | 15 |
2 miaMiami Dolphins | 8 | 7 | 15 |
3 neNew England Patriots | 7 | 8 | 15 |
4 nyjNew York Jets | 7 | 8 | 15 |
| AFC North | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
1 cinCincinnati Bengals | 11 | 4 | 15 |
2 balBaltimore Ravens | 10 | 5 | 15 |
3 pitPittsburgh Steelers | 7 | 8 | 15 |
4 cleCleveland Browns | 6 | 9 | 15 |
| AFC South | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
1 jaxJacksonville Jaguars | 7 | 8 | 15 |
2 tenTennessee Titans | 7 | 9 | 16 |
3 indIndianapolis Colts | 4 | 10 | 15 |
4 houHouston Texans | 2 | 12 | 15 |
| AFC West | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
1 kcKansas City Chiefs | 12 | 3 | 15 |
2 lacLos Angeles Chargers | 9 | 6 | 15 |
3 lvLas Vegas Raiders | 6 | 9 | 15 |
4 denDenver Broncos | 4 | 11 | 15 |
Pats back at home
Mack Wilson looked like a man on a mission as he headed into Gillette Stadium. The Pats need to come out much quicker than they did infront of their home fans against the Benglas last week if they are going to have any chance against the Dolphins tonight.
Dolphins pulling up to Gillette
It's buisness time form Miami and Christian Wilkins today in New England. They haven't looked like a playoff team over the last month, but they are still in pole position for a Wild Card spot. They control their own destiny, but they are going to have to win out to ensure they get to the post season after their late season slide.
New England last week
New England looked to bounce back after their last second blunder that cost them the game against the Raiders last week against the Bengals, but came out against the Bengals and got blanked in the first half. They tried to mount a come back in the last two quarters after seeing Marcus Jones take an interception to the house in the third quarter, but Mac Jones and the Pats offense couldn’t complete the come from behind victory after seeing Rhamondre Stevenson fumble on the 5 with a chance to take the lead with under a minute to go in the game.
Miami last week
The Dolphins hosted a desperate Green Bay Packers team last week at Hard Rock Stadium, and collapsed in the second half. After nearly a perfect half from Tua Tagovialoa, Miami led the Packers 20-13, but three second half interceptions tanked the Dolphins as Green Bay shutout Tua, Tyreek and the Dolphins high power offense in the final 30 minutes
We are live from Gillette Stadium
Hello everyone, and welcome to Foxborough where it’s do or die time for the Dolphins and the Patriots. The Dolphins have been in a free fall since their loss to the San Francisco 49ers a month ago. They have lost four straight and are in serious danger of giving up their one time certain playoffs spot. The Patriots still look rattled after their devastating loss to the Las Vegas Raiders two weeks ago, and now have huge must win matchups to close out the season, today against the Dolphins and next week against the Bills.
Dolphins vs. Pats
It may be Week 17, but today’s game from New England we be played as a playoff game as the Patriots and the Dolphins square off from Gillette Stadium. Neither team can afford a loss today, and AS English will be with you all day long from for this must see match up in the AFC East.