With about 4 minutes to play within the third quarter, the Patriots certain appeared like they have been headed for defeat.
The offense was fairly lifeless and whereas the protection stored the workforce within the recreation, the Patriots hopes to increase their playoff lives appeared pretty grim.
Enter security Kyle Dugger.
With Miami up 14-10, and going through a third-and-15 from their 24, starter Teddy Bridgewater dropped again, and unloaded a ball headed for Trent Sherfield, who gave the impression to be open.
Only he wasn’t. Dugger, who was taking part in Cover-2 in the course of the sphere, learn the play, jumped in entrance of Sherfield, picked off the cross, and weaved his approach 39 yards into the tip zone.
Touchdown. Patriots take the lead.
“You never really know when it’s going to be your time to do that,” Dugger stated following the 23-21 win over the Dolphins. “I was in the right place at the right time.”
The crowd, which didn’t have a lot to cheer about at that time, erupted. Players on the Patriots sideline have been leaping up and down. It supplied a much-needed jolt.
“Once I got my hands on the ball, I know I needed to score,” Dugger stated of the landing, which triggered the Patriots win. “It helped the team greatly. That was the goal.”
Dugger initially headed towards the left sideline after he intercepted the cross, however finally reduce, bowling over Bridgewater within the course of to get ultimately zone.
“Really just saw a little gap at the very end. I think it was the quarterback in a way,” Dugger stated. “I saw high entry from the O-lineman, a small gap. I knew I had to get into it to get in the end zone.”
Dugger has energized the workforce fairly just a few occasions this season, because it marked his third defensive landing of the season, the primary Patriot to try this since 1970.
“We needed him today. Stepped up big,” Patriots defensive captain Devin McCourty stated of Dugger. “I’d say over the latter a part of the season he’s performed nice soccer. Really proud simply to have the ability to be in there with him.
“His production and studying, his process throughout the season, it’s no wonder it’s paying off. The guy has been tremendous.”
Matthew Judon didn’t argue with that evaluation of Dugger, who’s now in his third season.
“I think you’re going to have to write Kyle a blank check, that’s how good he is right there,” stated the Patriots linebacker. “Just for him to get that interception after which flip it into offense, that’s a one-man band.
“It just seemed like every week we come up with one. We’ve got to keep doing it, keep focused on it. That’s the goal. For Kyle to do that, it was a really unbelievable play.”
The return additionally marked the seventh defensive landing of the season, a brand new franchise document. It was the fifth pick-six. The protection being so opportunistic has been a godsend for the workforce.
“It just kind of shows that the mentality is get the ball and go score, get the ball and go score,” stated Dugger. “Drive the drive, down the down. That’s just the mentality of us. I think that’s really the thing that highlights the most.”
While Dugger is aware of he nonetheless wants to enhance in a number of areas, his playmaking means within the secondary has actually stood out. His touchdowns have come on two interceptions and one fumble return.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick praised Dugger after the sport, particularly for the way he was in a position to make his solution to the tip zone.
“It was a great play. A little bit like Marcus’ (Jones) play. It was a great run. The interception, it was a good play, a good catch and all that but he made a lot of yards on his own,” stated Belichick. “Like I stated, like Marcus did final week, breaking tackles at midfield or the 40 yard line, no matter it was, reducing again.
“Yeah, we all know Kyle’s a very, very explosive, athletic player. He’s done a great job for us jamming receivers, making the run, tackling, making big plays. When he gets his hands on the ball, he’s a hard guy to get. Not many guys out there that are going to catch him from behind on offense, so if it was the Detroit scoop-and-score play, the interceptions here he’s had the last couple weeks … he’s really helped us.”
Dugger, the Patriots 2020 second-round pick of Lenoir-Rhyne, stated he doesn’t preserve his landing recreation balls. He’s extra involved about preparing for the subsequent recreation. He’s trying ahead to the problem of taking part in the Bills with the playoffs weighing within the steadiness.
“We’re very excited for it, the challenge ahead, knowing we’ve got to put a lot into the week,” stated Dugger. “We’re super excited for the opportunity. We’re going to make sure we do everything we can to make it a good game.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com