Patriots
The Patriots had an opportunity to tie or take the lead within the remaining minute, however did not pull by means of.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Tua Tagovailoa has heard rather a lot throughout his NFL profession about his shortcomings. Beating the New England Patriots continues to not be one among them.
Raheem Mostert had a pair of TD runs, together with a 43-yard romp within the fourth quarter, and Tagovailoa added a 2-yard landing go to Tyreek Hill to assist the Miami Dolphins maintain off the Patriots 24-17 on Sunday evening.
With the victory, Tagovailoa improved to 5-0 in opposition to New England coach Invoice Belichick.
“It’s by no means a me factor,” Tagovailoa mentioned. “Each time we face coach Belichick’s workforce it’s at all times a problem, and we all know we’re going to get their finest. … We’re going to take them nevertheless they arrive.”
Mostert carried 18 occasions for 121 yards and Tagovailoa accomplished 21 of 30 passes for 249 yards and an interception. Jaylen Waddle added 4 catches for 86 yards earlier than leaving within the fourth quarter following successful by Marte Mapu.
“100 yards is tough to return by particularly in a passing league. Meaning the whole lot was occurring all cylinders,” Mostert mentioned.
After opening with two street wins, the Dolphins will attempt for his or her second straight 3-0 begin underneath coach Mike McDaniel once they host Denver subsequent weekend.
New England dropped to 0-2 for the primary time since 2001, which was Belichick’s second season as coach.
Trailing 24-17, the Patriots appeared to maintain their hopes alive by changing a miraculous fourth-and-4 on the Dolphins 33. Mac Jones accomplished a go to Mike Gesicki in need of the primary down marker, however the tight finish spun and flipped the ball to left guard Cole Unusual, who lunged ahead.
It was initially referred to as a primary down, however a evaluate confirmed Unusual was in need of the wanted yardage, turning the ball over on downs. Miami then ran the clock out.
Jones completed 31 of 42 for 231 yards, a landing and an interception.
“Simply wasn’t our day. Hasn’t been our day for the final two weeks,” he mentioned.
After back-to-back losses wherein the Patriots have confronted large deficits, tight finish Hunter Henry mentioned it’s clear errors are hurting them. On Sunday, a first-quarter fumble by rookie Demario Douglas arrange Miami’s first TD, an 8-yard run by Mostert within the second quarter.
“It’s very irritating,” Henry mentioned. “Clearly, you have a look at the performs on the finish of the sport, and we have to be higher at that for positive. However we have to be higher within the sport, to not put ourselves in that place.”
The Patriots performed short-handed within the secondary after beginning cornerback Jonathan Jones was dominated out previous to kickoff with an ankle damage. They took one other hit within the second quarter when Marcus Jones left with a shoulder concern.
The Dolphins took benefit as Tagovailoa unfold the ball round to eight completely different receivers, together with 9 completions to Hill and Waddle.
Defensively, Miami recovered Douglas’ fumble. Then, main 17-3 within the third quarter, Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard grabbed an underthrown go from Jones that was meant for DeVante Parker contained in the 5.
Miami punted the ball again and New England discovered some traction, utilizing an 18-yard run by Jones and a holding penalty on Howard to assist arrange a 6-yard TD go from Jones to Hunter Henry.
New England acquired the ball proper again when Tagovailoa had a deep go meant for Hill intercepted by Christian Gonzalez. However backed up, the Patriots went three-and-out.
Then, on the primary play after the changeover, Mostert took a handoff, discovered a seam in the course of the Patriots protection and sprinted for his 43-yard TD.
New England marched proper down the sector and closed to 24-17 on Rhamondre Stevenson’s 2-yard landing run, capping a nine-play, 75-yard drive.
Miami had the ball by itself 30 when Tagovailoa missed on a go to Waddle. However Mapu was referred to as for pointless roughness, giving the Dolphins a primary down close to midfield.
The Dolphins had an opportunity to increase their lead with a 55-yard discipline objective try by Jason Sanders, but it surely missed extensive left.
WADDLE STATUS
McDaniel didn’t have an replace on Waddle’s standing, however Tagovailoa mentioned the receiver was in “good spirits.”
McDaniel solely confirmed he went in for analysis.
INJURIES
Dolphins: RB Salvon Ahmed additionally left with a groin damage.
Patriots: CB Marcus Jones injured his shoulder after tackling Waddle early within the second quarter and didn’t return.
BYE-BYE
Close to the tip of the sport Hill could possibly be seen waving at Patriots followers as he exited the sector.
“These followers are among the worst followers within the NFL, and I’m going to face on that,” Hill mentioned. “They’re actual nasty and among the issues that they’re saying, I wouldn’t say in church. It felt nice to wave goodbye to the followers, and I’ll do it once more. Bye.”
UP NEXT
Dolphins: Host the Broncos subsequent Sunday.
Patriots: On the Jets subsequent Sunday.
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