The Miami Dolphins faced the New England Patriots for the second time this season during a Week 12 AFC East division rivalry game. After beating the Patriots in New England in Week 5, Miami came into the game looking for a sweep of their rivals as well as a continuation of their journey back to relevance.
The game was never close – though the Patriots did make it a little worrisome late. Miami pulled their starters briefly in the fourth quarter, but a fumble recovery for a touchdown by New England led to a return of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the offensive starters, leading to a comfortable win down the stretch.
Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle had a breakout game for a season in which he seemed like a forgotten member of the offense. He finished with eight receptions for 144 yards and a touchdown.
The defense dominated throughout the game, giving up just one touchdown late in the game. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey, defensive tackle Zach Sieler, linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah, and linebacker Chop Robinson all got to Patriots quarterback Drake Maye during the game for sacks – Robinson had a solo sack along with splitting a sack with Ogbah.
Miami moves to 5-6 with the win and advances to the eighth position in the AFC playoff picture – one spot out of a postseason spot. They have a quick turnaround, however, as they play the Thanksgiving night game on Thursday at the Green Bay Packers.
Here are all our immediate reactions from throughout the game.
Final Score
Patriots 15 – 34 Dolphins
Recap and Reactions
First Quarter
Patriots first possession
New England started with the ball, but a false start penalty on third-and-three ended any chance for the Patriots to find a rhythm and they punted on a three-and-out possession.
Dolphins first possession
Miami opened their first offensive drive with an 11-yard pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to tight end Jonnu Smith. The drive ended there, however, as running back De’Von Achane picked up seven yards on first down and an additional yard on second down, but an incomplete pass led to a punt.
The Dolphins did not punt at all last week against the Las Vegas Raiders. This week, they were forced to punt on their opening possession. Not the fast start Miami needed to make a statement as they look for the season sweep.
Patriots second possession
The second drive from the Patriots was a more sustained effort from them, but penalties were again the story. A scramble from quarterback Drake Maye for six yards and a nine-yard run from running back Rhamondre Stevenson moved the ball out to the Patriots’ 28-yard line, but they soon found themselves back to the 22-yard line after multiple false starts. They got back into rhythm and picked up 14 yards on a pass from Maye to running back Antonio Gibson followed by an 11-yard gain on a pass to tight end Austin Hooper, moving the ball into Miami territory.
Maye ran for nine yards from the Dolphins’ 39-yard line, followed by two runs from Gibson picking up 10 yards. The Patriots were called for two penalties on the next snap, however, with a declined offside flag and an enforced offensive holding penalty, backing New England to the Miami 30-yard line. An incomplete pass and a three-yard run on 3rd-and-16 led to a field goal attempt. The ball hit the right upright and fell away for a missed attempt.
The Dolphins defense gave up too many yards on the drive, falling back into the bend-don’t-break style they used last week. It was effective again, but they need to start getting pressure on Maye – and keeping him behind the line of scrimmage when they do pressure him.
I believe, some day, the Dolphins will learn to tackle a running quarterback before he is able to pick up giant gains.
Dolphins second possession
The missed field goal gave Miami the ball at their own 35-yard line, and Tagovailoa immediately attacked the New England defense. The first three plays of the drive featured a pass to Smith for 12 yards, a pass to wide receiver Jaylen Waddle for 24 yards, and a pass to wide receiver Tyreek Hill for 10 yards. A seven-yard pass to Smith followed a run from Achane for no gain before the Dolphins used a hard count to pull the Patriots offsides as the quarter ended.
That is the second straight week Miami has used the hard count to force a penalty on the defense just as a quarter ended. Well done and Miami gained a free first down at the Patriots’ seven-yard line from the flag.
Second Quarter
Dolphins second possession (continued)
A Smith end around for no gain and an incomplete pass gave Miami a 3rd-and-Goal play from the Patriots’ seven-yard line. Tagovailoa threw short to Smith over the middle, with the tight end powering his way into the endzone.
Smith has just become such a huge part of the Miami offense. He is feasting on teams focusing on Hill and Waddle.
Dolphins 7-0.
Patriots third possession
Miami’s defense stepped up on New England’s third drive, immediately shutting it down. A Stevenson run on first down was stuffed by linebacker Jordyn Brooks for a six-yard loss to move the Patriots back to their 24-yard line. After an incomplete pass, Miami rookie linebacker Chop Robinson flew around the end to sack Maye for a nine-yard loss and force the three-and-out punt.
That is much better from the Dolphins’ defense. Now, the offense needs to use what should be a good field position to extend the lead.
Dolphins third possession
Achane started the drive with a seven-yard run from the Dolphins’ 31-yard line. Tagovailoa then threw to Smith, who turned a short pass into a 13-yard gain and a first down. After Achane picked up five yards on a run, Tagovailoa took to the air on four consecutive plays, picking up 17 yards on a pass to Waddle, then just missing a touchdown pass to Achane on a good pass breakup, followed by a one-yard pass on a screen to wide receiver Malik Washington and a 14-yard pass to Waddle. Running back Raheem Mostert was stopped on a first down run for no gain. Tagovailoa then threw short to Achane, who turned up field and found the endzone.
That is exactly what the offense needed to do. The defense gave them a chance to make this a two-score game and the offense repaid them with a touchdown. Good effective drive. And, it is great to see Waddle involved early and often today. He has been a missing piece of the offense for much of the year, and today he seems to have been found.
Dolphins 14-0.
Patriots fourth possession
New England began at the drive at their 30-yard line, but an offensive holding penalty immediately moved them back to the 20. Now needing 20 yards for a first down, the Patriots could not get much started, gaining 11 yards on two passes before having to punt on the three-and-out.
Okay, the defense did their part again. Can the offense add to this?
Dolphins fourth possession
A two-yard run from Achane and an incomplete pass set Miami in a 3rd-and-8 from their 22-yard line, but Tagovailoa settled into the pocket and found Waddle for a 15-yard gain and a first down. The Dolphins ran two end-arounds on back-to-back plays, first with Washington gaining two yards, then rookie running back Jaylen Wright adding 10 yards on a counter with a no-look flip of the ball by Tagovailoa. The Patriots challenged a pass to Waddle for 19 yards, but the diving catch stood, giving Miami a 1st-and-10 from the New England 32-yard line.
A pass to Smith moved the ball 14 yards to the Patriots’ 18-yard line before a bubble screen to Hill was stopped for no gain as the clock reached the two-minute warning.
After the break, Smith gained seven yards on a reception before Achane strolled into the endzone with no near him on a pass into the flat.
The Dolphins are looking to double up with the score at the end of the first half and another score on the opening drive of the second half. They left some time, so the defense needs to make a stop, but right now, Miami is doing just about whatever they want to do on offense.
Miami’s 21-points pushes them ahead of their season average of 18.1 points per game. Having Tagovailoa back on the field and the offense executing up to its potential has been fun.
Dolphins 21-0.
Patriots fifth possession
With 1:50 on the clock, the Patriots need a score to gain some momentum in this game. Two incomplete passes started the drive – with the second nearly a strip sack from Robinson and a recovery by defensive tackle Zach Sieler – before a false start penalty backed up the Patriots into a 3rd-and-15 play. Linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah got to Maye on the next snap, pulling him down for a sack as the quarterback tried to get away from the pressure but ran into a wall of linemen. The Patriots punted after the 22-second drive.
The defense not only made a stop, but they did it quickly enough that the offense actually has time to score again. Will Miami be aggressive? They need to be.
Dolphins fifth possession
Miami started at their own 41-yard line with 1:28 remaining in the half. A 29-yard pass to Waddle started the drive, with Hill then catching passes for seven yards and 20 yards to move the ball to the Patriots’ three-yard line. After a Dolphins timeout, three incomplete passes into the endzone led to a Miami field goal.
Dolphins 24-0.
Patriots sixth possession
Maye knelt to end the half.
Halftime Thoughts
What a first half. The Dolphins are doing exactly what they should be doing in this game – taking it to a struggling team and keeping their foot on the gas. Miami is trying to claw their way into the AFC playoff picture, and they need to take advantage of games like this to do it. The first half has been exceptional, and now they need to come out and make a statement in the second half as well.
This has been a great all-around performance for the Dolphins. The offense is picking apart the Patriots no matter what New England tries to do. The defense is getting after Maye, which is making it difficult for the Patriots to have any rhythm. The second half should see much of the same, especially as the defense goes into pure pass-rush mode, knowing New England has to throw the ball to try to climb out of a 24-point hole.
Third Quarter
Dolphins sixth possession
Miami could not find the same rhythm they had to end the first half as they started the second half. Achane caught a swing pass for two yards, then another pass for four yards, to bring up third down. Tagovailoa was sacked on the next play, leading to a three-and-out punt.
Not the start to the half Miami wanted – though it matches their start to the game. Need the defense to get the ball back.
Patriots seventh possession
New England started at their own 25, picking up four yards on first down, then benefitting from an illegal use of hands penalty on Miami cornerback Kader Kohou. On 1st-and-10 from the 36-yard line, an offensive hold backed the Patriots to their 26-yard line, setting up 1st-and-20.
Passes for 10 yards to wide receiver Kendrick Bourne on second and third downs converted the long yardage for New England and moved to near midfield. After another nine yard gain, this time on a pass from Maye to tight end Hunter Henry, the Patriots found themselves in Miami territory and threatening to end the Dolphins’ shutout.
An offensive pass interference penalty two plays later, however, moved the ball back to midfield and the Patriots would punt after another two plays.
Miami’s defense bent but again did not break to get the ball back to the offense. The offense is facing a long field, however, as the field position switch led to a fair catch on the punt at the seven-yard line. How will Miami’s offense respond? Will this be more like last week’s ball-control style offensive system, looking to take care of the ball deep in their own territory and run clock as they lead late in the third quarter? Or will they look to the deep ball, trying to take advantage of the speed of Hill and Waddle?
Dolphins seventh possession
Miami turned to Wright to start the drive. After a run for no gain, Wright picked up 12 yards on second down. Tagovailoa then found Hill for 11 yards. A defensive pass interference penalty moved Miami another 10 yards after an incomplete pass targeting Smith.
On 1st-and-10 from the Dolphins’ 40-yard line, Tagovailoa threw into the flat to Mostert as a last resort pass, leading to a three-yard loss. Tagovailoa then found tight end Julian Hill for eight yards before a deep pass to Beckham fell incomplete as the receiver dove, but could not hold on to the ball a couple of steps in front of him. Miami was forced to punt.
Okay, that seems like enough work for punter Jake Bailey today. The Miami offense needs to let him sit the rest of the day. He has to be tired.
Patriots eighth possession
The Patriots opened the possession with a 27-yard pass to DeMario Douglas, jumping the ball from the 16-yard line out to the 43. Maye then scrambled for eight yards, again crossing the 50-yard line. A run from Stevenson lost a yard as Sieler and cornerback Jalen Ramsey stuffed him behind the line, then Sieler decided the Patriots had had the ball long enough. He burst through the line on 3rd-and-3, stripping Maye of the ball for the sack, with linebacker Jordyn Brooks recovering it for Miami.
Sieler was just a destructive force up the middle on that drive. He was shot out of a cannon on the sack, just powering his way into Maye’s face. Brooks nearly returned the ball for the score, just needing a step or two after recovering the loose ball to regain his balance and speed. Can Miami’s offense take advantage now?
Dolphins eighth possession
Wright rushed for two yards on first down, then Tagovailoa connected with Waddle on a short hook, but the receiver turned up field and bowled his way into the endzone for a 23-yard score.
Waddle is clearly having himself a day. That pushes him to 141 receiving yards and the score. Tagovailoa is 25-for-33 for 290 and four scores at this point. This is an exceptional offensive performance – and the defense is playing just as well. What a great first three quarters so far. Now they have to hold out for the remainder of the third and throughout the fourth.
Patriots ninth possession
Maye looked to Douglas again to start the drive, this time picking up 20 yards on the pass. With the ball at the 50-yard line, Maye threw an incomplete pass before Gibson ran for one yard. On 3rd-and-9, Maye found Henry for 16 yards and a first down. The clock reached the end of the third period on the play.
Fourth Quarter
Patriots ninth possession (continued)
A Maye to Hooper seven-yard gain moved New England to the Dolphins’ 26-yard line, but a sack by Jalen Ramsey moved the Patriots back 12 yards. An incomplete pass (and a declined offensive pass interference penalty) brought up 4th-and-15, with Maye flushed out of the pocket and throwing a desperation pass down the field – only to find Hooper alone near the goal line, leading to New England’s first points.
Damn. No shut out for the Dolphins’ defense. They played well enough most of the day to warrant the zero on the scoreboard, but they lost containment on the tight end and left him alone in the middle of the field. It was not as bad as the Raiders leaving Smith wide open last week, but it was not great.
The offense needs to strike back here .
Dolphins 31-7.
Dolphins ninth possession
Wright picked up four yards to start the possession before an incomplete pass as Tagovailoa threw the ball away under pressure. Another incomplete pass led to a three-and-out punt for Miami.
Patriots tenth possession
The Patriots could only gain three yards on their first three plays of the drive, then went for it on 4th-and-7, with an incomplete pass appearing to end the drive. An extremely late pass interference penalty was called, however, giving New England a little hope. Miami’s defense was not having it, however, with an incomplete pass, a six-yard reception, and two incomplete passes leading to the turnover on downs.
Dolphins tenth possession
Miami pulled most of the starters for the drive, with Skylar Thompson entering the game for Tagovailoa. Wright picked up three yards on first down, then tried to take the handoff on second down, only to have the transiton from Thompson botched and the ball scooped by the Patriots for the score. New England converted on the two-point try and it is suddenly a 16-point game.
Ouch. The good news is the shut out did not end on that play; the defense would not be pleased if that was the only New England score. Was that enough to force Miami to put the starters back in the game?
Dolphins 31-15.
Dolphins eleventh possession
Tagovailoa and the starters came back into the game after the fumble, with Tagovailoa finding Smith for a nine-yard gain on the first play. An illegal motion penalty on Washington negated a five-yard run from Achane on 2nd-and-1, but Miami converted the third-down play on a seven-yard pass to Smith.
The drive stalled there, however, as Achane ran for no gain, Tagovailoa to Waddle produced just three yards, and Tagovailoa was sacked for a seven-yard loss. Miami was forced to punt.
It was not the most efficient offensive possession. Miami needed to run more of the clock there. Instead, they are continuing to give the Patriots hope—and that can be very dangerous.
Patriots eleventh possession
Maye threw to Henry for seven yards to start the drive, then threw to Bourne for nine yards. At the Dolphins’ 47-yard line, Maye threw an incomplete pass deep before Ramsey blitzed on second down, forcing a bad throw by Maye and linebacker Tyrel Dodson was able to pick off the pass.
Okay defense, that works. Now, Miami’s offense has 5:13 to burn.
Dolphins twelfth possession
Achane picked up nine yards on the first down, and then Tagovailoa threw to tight end Durham Smythe for eight yards. An Achane loss of one yard led to the Patriots using their first time out. On 2nd-and-11, Tagovailoa could not connect with Washington as the ball was deflected. Mostert then ran for five yards, leading to the second Patriots timeout.
On 4th-and-6, the Dolphins elected for a 51-yard field goal from kicker Jason Sanders, extending the lead back to 19.
Not the clock killing drive Miami needed, but it at least added points and made this feel more secure.
Dolphins 34-15.
Patriots twelfth possession
New England was able to move the ball 25 yards on their possession, with Maye throwing the ball as the team attempted to make a comeback. However, after the two-minute warning, a 4th-and-3 play only gained two yards and gave Miami back the ball.
Dolphins thirteenth possession
Tagovailoa knelt three times to kill the clock.
