The Miami Dolphins confronted the New England Patriots for the second time this season throughout a Week 12 AFC East division rivalry recreation. After beating the Patriots in New England in Week 5, Miami got here into the sport searching for a sweep of their rivals in addition to a continuation of their journey again to relevance.
The sport was by no means shut – although the Patriots did make it a bit worrisome late. Miami pulled their starters briefly within the fourth quarter, however a fumble restoration for a landing by New England led to a return of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the offensive starters, resulting in a cushty win down the stretch.
Extensive receiver Jaylen Waddle had a breakout recreation for a season wherein he appeared like a forgotten member of the offense. He completed with eight receptions for 144 yards and a landing.
The protection dominated all through the sport, giving up only one landing late within the recreation. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey, defensive sort out Zach Sieler, linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah, and linebacker Chop Robinson all obtained to Patriots quarterback Drake Maye through the recreation for sacks – Robinson had a solo sack together with splitting a sack with Ogbah.
Miami strikes to 5-6 with the win and advances to the eighth place within the AFC playoff image – one spot out of a postseason spot. They’ve a fast turnaround, nonetheless, as they play the Thanksgiving night time recreation on Thursday on the Inexperienced Bay Packers.
Listed here are all our instant reactions from all through the sport.
Last Rating
Patriots 15 – 34 Dolphins
Recap and Reactions
First Quarter
Patriots first possession
New England began with the ball, however a false begin penalty on third-and-three ended any likelihood for the Patriots to discover a rhythm and so they punted on a three-and-out possession.
Dolphins first possession
Miami opened their first offensive drive with an 11-yard go from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to tight finish Jonnu Smith. The drive ended there, nonetheless, as operating again De’Von Achane picked up seven yards on first down and a further yard on second down, however an incomplete go led to a punt.
The Dolphins didn’t punt in any respect final week in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders. This week, they had been pressured to punt on their opening possession. Not the quick begin Miami wanted to make an announcement as they search for the season sweep.
Patriots second possession
The second drive from the Patriots was a extra sustained effort from them, however penalties had been once more the story. A scramble from quarterback Drake Maye for six yards and a nine-yard run from operating again Rhamondre Stevenson moved the ball out to the Patriots’ 28-yard line, however they quickly discovered themselves again to the 22-yard line after a number of false begins. They obtained again into rhythm and picked up 14 yards on a go from Maye to operating again Antonio Gibson adopted by an 11-yard acquire on a go to tight finish Austin Hooper, shifting the ball into Miami territory.
Maye ran for 9 yards from the Dolphins’ 39-yard line, adopted by two runs from Gibson selecting up 10 yards. The Patriots had been referred to as for 2 penalties on the subsequent snap, nonetheless, with a declined offside flag and an enforced offensive holding penalty, backing New England to the Miami 30-yard line. An incomplete go and a three-yard run on Third-and-16 led to a subject aim try. The ball hit the best upright and fell away for a missed try.
The Dolphins protection gave up too many yards on the drive, falling again into the bend-don’t-break type they used final week. It was efficient once more, however they should begin getting stress on Maye – and preserving him behind the road of scrimmage after they do stress him.
I imagine, some day, the Dolphins will be taught to sort out a operating quarterback earlier than he is ready to choose up large positive aspects.
Dolphins second possession
The missed subject aim gave Miami the ball at their very own 35-yard line, and Tagovailoa instantly attacked the New England protection. The primary three performs of the drive featured a go to Smith for 12 yards, a go to vast receiver Jaylen Waddle for twenty-four yards, and a go to vast receiver Tyreek Hill for 10 yards. A seven-yard go to Smith adopted a run from Achane for no acquire earlier than the Dolphins used a tough depend to tug the Patriots offsides because the quarter ended.
That’s the second straight week Miami has used the exhausting depend to drive a penalty on the protection simply as 1 / 4 ended. Properly executed and Miami gained a free first down on the Patriots’ seven-yard line from the flag.
Second Quarter
Dolphins second possession (continued)
A Smith finish round for no acquire and an incomplete go gave Miami a Third-and-Aim play from the Patriots’ seven-yard line. Tagovailoa threw brief to Smith over the center, with the tight finish powering his means into the endzone.
Smith has simply develop into such an enormous a part of the Miami offense. He’s feasting on groups specializing in Hill and Waddle.
Dolphins 7-0.
Patriots third possession
Miami’s protection stepped up on New England’s third drive, instantly shutting it down. A Stevenson run on first down was stuffed by linebacker Jordyn Brooks for a six-yard loss to maneuver the Patriots again to their 24-yard line. After an incomplete go, Miami rookie linebacker Chop Robinson flew across the finish to sack Maye for a nine-yard loss and drive the three-and-out punt.
That’s a lot better from the Dolphins’ protection. Now, the offense wants to make use of what needs to be subject place to increase the lead.
Dolphins third possession
Achane began the drive with a seven-yard run from the Dolphins’ 31-yard line. Tagovailoa then threw to Smith, who turned a brief go right into a 13-yard acquire and a primary down. After Achane picked up 5 yards on a run, Tagovailoa took to the air on 4 consecutive performs, selecting up 17 yards on a go to Waddle, then simply lacking a landing go to Achane on go breakup, adopted by a one-yard go on a display screen to vast receiver Malik Washington and a 14-yard go to Waddle. Operating again Raheem Mostert was stopped on a primary down run for no acquire. Tagovailoa then threw brief to Achane, who turned up subject and located the endzone.
That’s precisely what the offense wanted to do. The protection gave them an opportunity to make this a two-score recreation and the offense repaid them with a landing. Good efficient drive. And, it’s nice to see Waddle concerned early and infrequently at the moment. He has been a lacking piece of the offense for a lot of the yr, and at the moment he appears to have been discovered.
Dolphins 14-0.
Patriots fourth possession
New England started on the drive at their 30-yard line, however an offensive holding penalty instantly moved them again to the 20. Now needing 20 yards for a primary down, the Patriots couldn’t get a lot began, gaining 11 yards on two passes earlier than having to punt on the three-and-out.
Okay, the protection did their half once more. Can the offense add to this?
Dolphins fourth possession
A two-yard run from Achane and an incomplete go set Miami in a Third-and-8 from their 22-yard line, however Tagovailoa settled into the pocket and located Waddle for a 15-yard acquire and a primary down. The Dolphins ran two end-arounds on back-to-back performs, first with Washington gaining two yards, then rookie operating again Jaylen Wright including 10 yards on a counter with a no-look flip of the ball by Tagovailoa. The Patriots challenged a go to Waddle for 19 yards, however the diving catch stood, giving Miami a 1st-and-10 from the New England 32-yard line.
A go to Smith moved the ball 14 yards to the Patriots’ 18-yard line earlier than a bubble display screen to Hill was stopped for no acquire because the clock reached the two-minute warning.
After the break, Smith gained seven yards on a reception earlier than Achane strolled into the endzone with no close to him on a go into the flat.
The Dolphins need to double up with the rating on the finish of the primary half and one other rating on the opening drive of the second half. They left a while, so the protection must make a cease, however proper now, Miami is doing nearly no matter they need to do on offense.
Miami’s 21-points pushes them forward of their season common of 18.1 factors per recreation. Having Tagovailoa again on the sector and the offense executing as much as its potential has been enjoyable.
Dolphins 21-0.
Patriots fifth possession
With 1:50 on the clock, the Patriots want a rating to achieve some momentum on this recreation. Two incomplete passes began the drive – with the second practically a strip sack from Robinson and a restoration by defensive sort out Zach Sieler – earlier than a false begin penalty backed up the Patriots right into a Third-and-15 play. Linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah obtained to Maye on the subsequent snap, pulling him down for a sack because the quarterback tried to get away from the stress however ran right into a wall of linemen. The Patriots punted after the 22-second drive.
The protection not solely made a cease, however they did it shortly sufficient that the offense truly has time to attain once more. Will Miami be aggressive? They have to be.
Dolphins fifth possession
Miami began at their very own 41-yard line with 1:28 remaining within the half. A 29-yard go to Waddle began the drive, with Hill then catching passes for seven yards and 20 yards to maneuver the ball to the Patriots’ three-yard line. After a Dolphins timeout, three incomplete passes into the endzone led to a Miami subject aim.
Dolphins 24-0.
Patriots sixth possession
Maye knelt to finish the half.
Halftime Ideas
What a primary half. The Dolphins are doing precisely what they need to be doing on this recreation – taking it to a struggling group and preserving their foot on the gasoline. Miami is making an attempt to claw their means into the AFC playoff image, and they should reap the benefits of video games like this to do it. The primary half has been distinctive, and now they should come out and make an announcement within the second half as nicely.
This has been a terrific all-around efficiency for the Dolphins. The offense is selecting aside the Patriots it doesn’t matter what New England tries to do. The protection is getting after Maye, which is making it troublesome for the Patriots to have any rhythm. The second half ought to see a lot of the identical, particularly because the protection goes into pure pass-rush mode, realizing New England has to throw the ball to attempt to climb out of a 24-point gap.
What a primary half. Tua 20/27, 247 yards, 3 TD
Waddle 6 rec, 118 yards
Smith 7 rec, 71 yards, TD
Hill 4 rec, 37 yards
Achane 6 carries, 22 yards, 2 recs, 20 yards, 2 TD
Robinson 3 tackles, 1 sack
Obgah 1 sort out, 1 sack
Poyer 4 tackles
Brooks 3 tackles, 1 TFL
— The Phinsider (@thephinsider) November 24, 2024
Third Quarter
Dolphins sixth possession
Miami couldn’t discover the identical rhythm they needed to finish the primary half as they began the second half. Achane caught a swing go for 2 yards, then one other go for 4 yards, to deliver up third down. Tagovailoa was sacked on the subsequent play, resulting in a three-and-out punt.
Not the begin to the half Miami wished – although it matches their begin to the sport. Want the protection to get the ball again.
Patriots seventh possession
New England began at their very own 25, selecting up 4 yards on first down, then benefitting from an unlawful use of fingers penalty on Miami cornerback Kader Kohou. On 1st-and-10 from the 36-yard line, an offensive maintain backed the Patriots to their 26-yard line, organising 1st-and-20.
Passes for 10 yards to vast receiver Kendrick Bourne on second and third downs transformed the lengthy yardage for New England and moved to close midfield. After one other 9 yard acquire, this time on a go from Maye to tight finish Hunter Henry, the Patriots discovered themselves in Miami territory and threatening to finish the Dolphins’ shutout.
An offensive go interference penalty two performs later, nonetheless, moved the ball again to midfield and the Patriots would punt after one other two performs.
Miami’s protection bent however once more didn’t break to get the ball again to the offense. The offense is going through a protracted subject, nonetheless, as the sector place swap led to a good catch on the punt on the seven-yard line. How will Miami’s offense reply? Will this be extra like final week’s ball-control type offensive system, trying to deal with the ball deep in their very own territory and run clock as they lead late within the third quarter? Or will they appear to the deep ball, making an attempt to reap the benefits of the pace of Hill and Waddle?
Dolphins seventh possession
Miami turned to Wright to start out the drive. After a run for no acquire, Wright picked up 12 yards on second down. Tagovailoa then discovered Hill for 11 yards. A defensive go interference penalty moved Miami one other 10 yards after an incomplete go focusing on Smith.
On 1st-and-10 from the Dolphins’ 40-yard line, Tagovailoa threw into the flat to Mostert as a final resort go, resulting in a three-yard loss. Tagovailoa then discovered tight finish Julian Hill for eight yards earlier than a deep go to Beckham fell incomplete because the receiver dove, however couldn’t maintain on to the ball a few steps in entrance of him. Miami was pressured to punt.
Okay, that looks like sufficient work for punter Jake Bailey at the moment. The Miami offense must let him sit the remainder of the day. He must be drained.
Patriots eighth possession
The Patriots opened the possession with a 27-yard go to DeMario Douglas, leaping the ball from the 16-yard line out to the 43. Maye then scrambled for eight yards, once more crossing the 50-yard line. A run from Stevenson misplaced a yard as Sieler and cornerback Jalen Ramsey stuffed him behind the road, then Sieler determined the Patriots had had the ball lengthy sufficient. He burst by the road on Third-and-3, stripping Maye of the ball for the sack, with linebacker Jordyn Brooks recovering it for Miami.
Sieler was only a harmful drive up the center on that drive. He was shot out of a cannon on the sack, simply powering his means into Maye’s face. Brooks practically returned the ball for the rating, simply needing a step or two after recovering the free ball to regain his steadiness and pace. Can Miami’s offense take benefit now?
Dolphins eighth possession
Wright rushed for 2 yards on first down, then Tagovailoa linked with Waddle on a brief hook, however the receiver turned up subject and bowled his means into the endzone for a 23-yard rating.
Waddle is clearly having himself a day. That pushes him to 141 receiving yards and the rating. Tagovailoa is 25-for-33 for 290 and 4 scores at this level. That is an distinctive offensive efficiency – and the protection is taking part in simply as nicely. What a terrific first three quarters thus far. Now they’ve to carry out for the rest of the third and all through the fourth.
Patriots ninth possession
Maye regarded to Douglas once more to start out the drive, this time selecting up 20 yards on the go. With the ball on the 50-yard line, Maye threw an incomplete go earlier than Gibson ran for one yard. On Third-and-9, Maye discovered Henry for 16 yards and a primary down. The clock reached the top of the third interval on the play.
Fourth Quarter
Patriots ninth possession (continued)
A Maye to Hooper seven-yard acquire moved New England to the Dolphins’ 26-yard line, however a sack by Jalen Ramsey moved the Patriots again 12 yards. An incomplete go (and a declined offensive go interference penalty) introduced up 4th-and-15, with Maye flushed out of the pocket and throwing a desperation go down the sector – solely to seek out Hooper alone close to the aim line, resulting in New England’s first factors.
Rattling. No shut out for the Dolphins’ protection. They performed nicely sufficient a lot of the day to warrant the zero on the scoreboard, however they misplaced containment on the tight finish and left him alone in the midst of the sector. It was not as unhealthy because the Raiders leaving Smith vast open final week, but it surely was not nice.
The offense must strike again right here .
Dolphins 31-7.
Dolphins ninth possession
Wright picked up 4 yards to start out the possession earlier than an incomplete go as Tagovailoa threw the ball away below stress. One other incomplete go led to a three-and-out punt for Miami.
What did I say about giving Bailey the remainder of the time without work? Was I not clear in regards to the plan?
— The Phinsider (@thephinsider) November 24, 2024
Patriots tenth possession
The Patriots might solely acquire three yards on their first three performs of the drive, then went for it on 4th-and-7, with an incomplete go showing to finish the drive. A particularly late go interference penalty was referred to as, nonetheless, giving New England a bit hope. Miami’s protection was not having it, nonetheless, with an incomplete go, a six-yard reception, and two incomplete passes resulting in the turnover on downs.
Dolphins tenth possession
Miami pulled a lot of the starters for the drive, with Skylar Thompson coming into the sport for Tagovailoa. Wright picked up three yards on first down, then tried to take the handoff on second down, solely to have the transiton from Thompson botched and the ball scooped by the Patriots for the rating. New England transformed on the two-point attempt to it’s abruptly a 16-point recreation.
Ouch. The excellent news is the shut out didn’t finish on that play; the protection wouldn’t be happy if that was the one New England rating. Was that sufficient to drive Miami to place the starters again within the recreation?
Dolphins 31-15.
Dolphins eleventh possession
Tagovailoa and the starters got here again into the sport after the fumble, with Tagovailoa discovering Smith for a nine-yard acquire on the primary play. An unlawful movement penalty on Washington negated a five-yard run from Achane on 2nd-and-1, however Miami transformed the third-down play on a seven-yard go to Smith.
The drive stalled there, nonetheless, as Achane ran for no acquire, Tagovailoa to Waddle produced simply three yards, and Tagovailoa was sacked for a seven-yard loss. Miami was pressured to punt.
It was not essentially the most environment friendly offensive possession. Miami wanted to run extra of the clock there. As a substitute, they’re persevering with to provide the Patriots hope—and that may be very harmful.
Patriots eleventh possession
Maye threw to Henry for seven yards to start out the drive, then threw to Bourne for 9 yards. On the Dolphins’ 47-yard line, Maye threw an incomplete go deep earlier than Ramsey blitzed on second down, forcing a foul throw by Maye and linebacker Tyrel Dodson was in a position to choose off the go.
Okay protection, that works. Now, Miami’s offense has 5:13 to burn.
Dolphins twelfth possession
Achane picked up 9 yards on the primary down, after which Tagovailoa threw to tight finish Durham Smythe for eight yards. An Achane lack of one yard led to the Patriots utilizing their first trip. On 2nd-and-11, Tagovailoa couldn’t join with Washington because the ball was deflected. Mostert then ran for 5 yards, resulting in the second Patriots timeout.
On 4th-and-6, the Dolphins elected for a 51-yard subject aim from kicker Jason Sanders, extending the lead again to 19.
Not the clock killing drive Miami wanted, but it surely at the least added factors and made this really feel safer.
Dolphins 34-15.
Patriots twelfth possession
New England was in a position to transfer the ball 25 yards on their possession, with Maye throwing the ball because the group tried to make a comeback. Nonetheless, after the two-minute warning, a 4th-and-3 play solely gained two yards and gave Miami again the ball.
Dolphins thirteenth possession
Tagovailoa knelt 3 times to kill the clock.
