The Miami Dolphins encountered several challenges during their game against the New England Patriots, although the Patriots made even more errors.
The match exhibited a preseason atmosphere as both teams entered with a single win each.
Jason Sanders successfully converted three field goals for Miami, helping the team to navigate through three significant special teams errors, ultimately resulting in a 15-10 victory. This marked the Dolphins’ first win since quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was sidelined with a concussion in Week 2.
The game featured a blocked punt, two missed field goals—one hitting the upright and another resulting from a botched snap—and a snapped ball that sailed over the quarterback’s head, eliminating a chance for a field goal. Additionally, an interception contributed to the Patriots’ sole touchdown. These missteps occurred while the Dolphins operated without their starting quarterback.
“The defense is the strength of our team in a valiant effort,” Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said.
Tyler Huntley, making his second start as Miami’s fourth quarterback, completed 18 of 31 passes for 194 yards with one interception. Tyreek Hill recorded six receptions for 69 yards, while Jaylen Wright added 86 rushing yards, and Raheem Mostert contributed 80 yards on the ground.
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“It felt good to be out there with the guys,” Huntley. Every play, every drive I am feeling more comfortable and in tune with my guys.
A notable moment in the game was Ingold’s 3-yard run, which concluded a 15-play, 80-yard drive that was effectively extended to 95 yards due to penalties. This effort, spearheaded by Huntley and the running game, featured seven consecutive runs following a pass interference call.
Following a failed 2-point conversion attempt, the Patriots (1-4) still had two opportunities to reclaim the lead. They celebrated a potential go-ahead touchdown pass with just 63 seconds remaining; however, replays revealed that Ja’Lynn Polk’s second heel was on the end line. After two incompletions and another penalty, the Patriots turned the ball over on downs.
The game was indeed a matter of inches.
“It was my first-week last week, my second week this week; we are going to continue to build off of that,” Huntley added. “We have a bye week coming up we are going to continue to get in the lab. We are going to work on the things we need to fix, come out the next week ready to fire.”
Sanders’ 54-yard field goal on Miami’s initial drive granted the Dolphins their first lead of the season, ahead of their previous win in Week 1, secured by a last-minute field goal.
Unfortunately, running back De’Von Achane was forced to exit the game in the first half due to a concussion and did not return.
With this win, the Dolphins halted a three-game losing streak and are now second in the AFC East.
Huntley demonstrated marked improvement in this game, and the Dolphins’ rushing attack was impressive—a welcome development considering their struggles earlier in the season, particularly in Tua’s absence.
Mostert played a vital role upon his return, while rookie Wright proved to be a valuable addition from the fourth round, stepping in for Achane. As a team, they rushed for over 190 yards. Despite previous criticism, the Dolphins’ offensive line performed effectively against the Patriots.
The Dolphins’ defense also deserves recognition; despite injuries to Jaelen Phillips and Bradley Chubb, players like Zach Sieler and Jalen Ramsey stepped up. Defensive coordinator Weaver employed blitzing strategies to apply pressure on the quarterback, compensating for a less effective four-man front. Utilizing blitzing in the future could enhance the defensive performance.
However, mistakes such as blocked punts and errant snaps cannot occur when operating without a starting quarterback. These fundamental plays are critical, and the Dolphins must improve their special teams performance.
The upcoming bye week presents an opportunity to address these mistakes. Huntley successfully connected with his playmakers during the game, and this break will allow him to deepen his understanding of the playbook in preparation for the road matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. His performance showed significant improvement from the previous game against the Tennessee Titans. The Colts represent a winnable opportunity, and the Dolphins will be optimistic about the potential return of Tua, which could position them back in contention.
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