Dolphins vs. Patriots final score, immediate reactions: Miami squeaks out last minute win

The Miami Dolphins come away with an ugly victory over the New England Patriots in Week 5.

The Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots finished an ugly Week 5 AFC East division rivalry game. Both teams made plenty of mistakes, got in their own way, and struggled to do much on offense. Somehow, at the end of the day, it became a pretty good day for the Dolphins.

With the win finishing a fourth-quarter comeback, the Dolphins became the only AFC East team to win in Week 5. The New York Jets lost in London early on Sunday, then the Dolphins beat the Patriots followed shortly by the Houston Texans kicking a game-winning field goal as time expired against the Buffalo Bills. Miami now heads into their bye week just a game out of the AFC East lead.

This was not pretty and Miami has a ton to fix during the bye week, but at least they are headed into the bye with a win and something positive.

Final score

Dolphins 15 – 10 Patriots

Immediate Reactions

1. Okay Dolphins. We see some sparks showing up early. The second play of the opening drive was an 18-yard pass from quarterback Tyler Huntley to wide receiver Tyreek Hill over the middle of the field. That feels more like the Dolphins’ offense than the constipated, stagnant system that has been on the field for the first month this year. Maybe they will get away from relying on the pass to the line of scrimmage or two yards behind it. Tight end Jonnu Smith caught two passes on the drive, one for eight yards and one for 13. Kicker Jason Sanders connected on a 54-yard attempt to give Miami their FIRST LEAD OF THE SEASON! Sadly, it is Week 5 before Miami led during a game this year. Dolphins 3-0.

2. Dolphins defense came to play. After giving up a seven-yard run on first down, linebackers Emmanuel Ogbah and Tyus Bowser combined on a sack on second down. Zach Sieler then followed that with a sack on his own on third down to force a three-and-out possession for New England. For the first time the Dolphins defense is playing with a lead. It may only be three points, but the defense came out attacking. If they can keep this up, albeit against a struggling Patriots offensive line, this could be the wake-up call for the Dolphins this season.

3. After the Patriots were penalized for 12 men on the field on a fourth down punt by Miami gave the Dolphins a free first down, Huntley tried to force a pass into wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr., making his debut with the Dolphins, and it was undercut for an interception. Miami needs to put away the Patriots early and cannot afford to make mistakes like that. Four plays later, Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson ran 33 yards for the touchdown and the Dolphins are back to trailing in a game. Patriots 7-3.

4. The Dolphins looked to answer and moved the ball effectively over the first seven plays of the possession. Included in there was a play with Huntley appearing to have space to run, but he kept his eyes downfield and somehow found Waddle for 20 yards. Two plays later, Raheem Mostert picked up 12 yards on a run. Unfortunately, the drive also included a potential head injury for running back De’Von Achane, who was hit helmet-to-helmet as he was tackled at the end of a 12-yard run and then had the back of his head bounce off the turf. The end of the drive saw an incomplete pass, a three-yard sack, and a Sanders 41-yard field goal attempt hit the upright and fall no good.

First Quarter Score: Patriots 7-3.

5. Penalties crushed any rhythm the Patriots tried to find, including a penalty for trying to move the ball forward before the snap, leading to a three-and-out punt. Miami began their possession with two runs from Mostert for a combined 12 yards, but then the Dolphins could not get out of their own way. A holding penalty was enforced, while an illegal shift and an illegal blindside block were declined as Miami struggled to move the ball. On the 4th-and-11, punter Jake Bailey’s kick was blocked, and the Patriots took over at the Dolphins’ 23. This is just falling apart right now. Huntley looks more in control of the Miami offense than last week, but it has not resulted in effectiveness and points yet. They have to figure this out against a Patriots team struggling just as much.

6. Self-inflicted mistakes continue to plague the Dolphins. Huntley found Waddle on first down for 17 yards, followed by a three-yard run from running back Jaylen Wright before a 10 yard pass to Waddle. Wright then gained five yards followed two plays later by a Mostert run for 10 yards. Two more Mostert carries picked up another seven yards and Miami had the ball at the Patriots’ 25-yard line with just over two minutes remaining in the half. On 3rd-and-3, while the rest of the offense was still getting settled and Huntley was making adjustments, center Aaron Brewer snapped the ball over everyone’s heads, with fullback Alec Ingold tracking back to fall on the loose ball at the Patriots’ 47-yard line. Miami was forced to punt. This team just keeps making mistakes. It has to be addressed during the bye week.

7. After the defense did their job, forcing a three-and-out punt, the Dolphins started at the Patriots’ 44-yard line thanks to a shanked punt and a 12-yard return from wide receiver Braxton Berrios. The drive featured an incomplete pass, a 16 yard pass to tight end Jonnnu Smith, an incomplete pass, an incomplete pass, an incomplete pass, a false start penalty on a field goal attempt, and a botched snap on the second field goal attempt. The Dolphins turned over the ball on downs after another miserable drive. The defense forced a three-and-out possession, then Miami ran out the clock.

Halftime score: Patriots 7-3

Halftime Reactions: This Dolphins team is simply a mess right now. They are making way too many inexcusable mistakes. From absolutely atrocious special teams play to multiple pre-snap penalties, Miami cannot do anything. The offense is a joke at this point. This team is not playing up to the level of a functioning NFL team, let alone one who was supposed to be a contender in the AFC playoff picture.

The Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, and the Patriots all lost last week, giving Miami a chance to make up ground in the division. The Dolphins lost badly. This week, the Jets have already lost, the Bills are being dominated by the Houston Texans in the first half, and the Dolphins are playing the Patriots. This could be another week where Miami makes up ground in the division. Instead, they are floundering and looking like a team that is in the fight for the first overall pick. This is an embarrassment.

8. The Patriots start the second half with the ball. What was Jalen Ramsey thinking? After Brissett had thrown the ball, as Ramsey ran past him he just threw a stiff army to the quarterback’s face. Unnecessary roughness and the Patriots pick up 15 free yards, moving from the Patriots 38 yard line to the Dolphins’ 41 yard line. The Patriots converted on a field goal to end the 10-play, 50-yard drive. Patriots 10-3.

9. Miami actually had a decent offensive series to try to answer. They did not find the endzone, but they had two passes toward Hill that could have scored. The third-down pass just missed being a score as Hill was pushed out of bounds (where was the interference penalty?) just before the ball arrived. The receiver made a gorgeous diving catch to secure the pass, but his step out made it an incomplete pass. Sanders connected on a 32-yard field goal to close the gap. Patriots 10-6.

10. Another three-and-out forced by the Dolphins defense. The Miami offense starts at their own 14-yard line, and Jaylen Wright suddenly becomes a factor. After a pass from Huntley to Hill for four yards and a scramble for six yards, Wright picked up six yards, then 17 yards on back-to-back runs. Huntley went back to the air for a 16-yard pass to Hill. Three plays later, on a 3rd-and-12, Huntley connected with Waddle for 11 yards, setting up a decision on 4th-and-1. Miami elected to kick the 47-yard field goal. Patriots 10-9.

Third Quarter Score: Patriots 10-9.

11. The quarter ended on the first play of the Patriots drive. After a couple of first downs, including a 24-yard run from running back Antonio Gibson, the Dolphins defense shut down the drive, stuffing a Stevenson run for two yards, then forcing to incomplete passes and a punt. Miami answered with a 13-play, 80-yard drive – 60 of them on the ground – to score a touchdown and take the lead. The missed the two-point attempt, however. Dolphins 15-10.

12. The Dolphins defense bent and bent and bent on the Patriots possession, giving up 53 yards on 11 plays. But, backed up to their own 12 yard line, the Dolphins shut down New England again. They got lucky with a pass into the endzone, where the receiver came down with his foot half out of bounds, but on 4th-and-15 the pressure forced a hurried throw from Brissett that fell incomplete and Miami took over on downs. After three runs picked up just nine yards, the Dolphins had to punt with 40 seconds remaining. Brissett completed a pass for 21 yards, then spiked the ball, before completing a 25 yarder but time ran out before they could spike it and Miami won.

Final score: Dolphins 15-10.