Beating the Miami Dolphins 33-27 on the road, the New England Patriots managed to check some boxes on Sunday. The win was the first under new head coach Mike Vrabel, broke a five-game losing streak at Hard Rock Stadium, and gave New England its first win over Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in eight attempts.
Here is a Patriots-centric view at some of the key moments of the game.
Moment No. 1: On the board
The Patriots offense had a rough outing in Week
1 versus the Las Vegas Raiders, but it looked smooth on its opening possession versus Miami. The unit of coordinator Josh McDaniels drove 68 yards in 10 plays, capped off by an 8-yard touchdown pass from Drake Maye to Mack Hollins.
The play saw Maye roll out to his right after a fake handoff, delivering a perfect ball to hit Hollins in stride. The touchdown is Hollins’ first since joining the team as a free agent in March and gave New England a 6-0 lead.
Unfortunately for the Patriots, rookie kicker Andy Borregales’ extra point hit the right upright and bounced out.
Moment No. 2: Maye-Boutte connection alive and well
Kayshon Boutte was the Patriots’ leading receiver in Week 1, and he continued making his presence felt in the first quarter against the Dolphins. With the team already up 6-0, and the defense forcing a quick three-and-out afterwards, the third-year wideout caught a 16-yard touchdown to increase New England’s lead; he fought through contact to haul the ball in and put the Patriots ahead 12-0.
Why 12-0? Because Andy Borregales missed his second extra point in as many attempts.
Moment No. 3: Massive conversion
The Patriots were unable to keep their early momentum going in the second and third quarters, and eventually found themselves down 20-15 late in the third period. Converting a 3rd-and-3 from their own 24-yard line was therefore crucial, and they did just that: Maye moved up in the pocket to evade pressure, and found Stevenson wide open behind the defense.
The veteran running back made an excellent reception, and turned on the afterburners for some serious yards after catch. When he was finally brought down, he had gained 55 yards — the longest play of both his and Maye’s careers.
Moment No. 4: QB keeper
Just two plays after his third down pass to Rhamondre Stevenson, Maye kept the ball himself to take advantage of Miami playing man coverage in the deep red area. Leaving the pocket to his right and running away from ex-Patriot Matthew Judon, he was able to reach the end zone from 6 yards out to put the team on top again.
This time, New England did not call for Borregales to make the extra point. Instead, Stevenson crossed the plane on a two-point try to put his team up 23-20.
Moment(s) No. 5: Shooting themselves in the foot
With under nine minutes to play in the game, the Patriots had a chance to milk some clock or potentially add to their three-point lead. However, their veterans let them down on what could have been a game-deciding possession: Morgan Moses and Hunter Henry both were flagged on the series before Garrett Bradbury delivered a bad snap to set up an unfavorable third-and-long.
The Patriots failed to convert, and to make matters worse surrendered a 74-yard punt return touchdown on the very next play
The Patriots found themselves down 27-23 with just over seven minutes on the clock. They did not trail for long.
Moment No. 6: Antonio Gibson masterclass
The celebration after Miami’s punt return touchdown did not last long. On the very next play, the Patriots managed to land the next punch in what has suddenly become a back-and-forth affair.
Antonio Gibson fielded the ensuing kickoff at his own 10-yard line and thanks to some good blocking made his way through the first line of the defense. Once in the open field, there was no catching him: showcasing his 4.39-second speed, the veteran running back took the kickoff to the house to give New England another lead.
Moment No. 7: Defense calls game
The Patriots defense had its miscues on the day, but it made some clutch plays late in the fourth period. The first came courtesy of linebacker Marte Mapu, who intercepted a Tua Tagovailoa pass on 4th-and-2 to help set up an Andy Borregales 53-yard field goal that increased New England’s lead to 33-27.
The very next drive nearly ended in disaster, but running back De’Von Achane stepped out of bounds on what looked like a possibly game-winning touchdown run. This allowed the defense another opportunity to close out the game, and it did so in the form of $104 million man Milton Williams sacking Tagovailoa on a 4th-and-12.
Needless to say, Mike Vrabel’s first win as Patriots head coach was a wild ride.
