MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Patriots’ sizzling streak lasted precisely one week earlier than the staff turned chilly Sunday in muggy South Florida.
The 2-6 Patriots couldn’t sustain with the speedy Dolphins in Week 8’s 31-17 intra-division loss. That got here after an encouraging effort by the Patriots’ offense of their Week 7 win over the Bills.
Things really began comparatively promising for the Patriots, who took an early lead off of an interception from security Kyle Dugger off of Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, giving the offense a brief area.
After a throwaway and a 6-yard run by working again Rhamondre Stevenson, quarterback Mac Jones discovered Patriots vast receiver Kendrick Bourne in the course of the sector for a 24-yard catch-and-run landing.
It took just a bit over three minutes for the Dolphins to reply on a six-play, 75-yard drive that noticed Tagvailoa discover vast receiver Tyreek Hill zooming downfield with Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson and rookie security Marte Mapu lagging behind in his tracks on a 42-yard deep landing.
The Patriots shortly went three-and-out, shedding 11 yards within the course of on their ensuing drive earlier than the Dolphins scored once more.
This time, the Dolphins plodded down the sector on a 14-play, 53-yard drive that culminated with a 1-yard landing cross from Tagovailoa to vast receiver Cedric Wilson. Jackson, who was penalized for a comparatively tender defensive cross interference penalty on the drive, was in protection on that play, as properly.
Another promising Patriots offensive drive ended with a Jones interception on a goal to Bourne that was jumped by All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey, getting back from damage in his Dolphins debut.
The Dolphins responded with a area aim after an eight-play, 28-yard drive earlier than the Patriots kneeled on the ball to finish the half with 26 seconds left on the sport clock.
A Dolphins fumble to start the second half on a muffed handoff from Tagovailoa to working again Raheem Mostert that was scooped up by linebacker Anfernee Jennings gave the Patriots life. Jones and Co. misplaced a yard earlier than rookie kicker Chad Ryland knocked via a area aim to chop the Dolphins’ result in 17-10.
The Dolphins, with little resistance from a Patriots protection that misplaced linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley to a hamstring damage, went 77 yards on 9 performs earlier than Mostert walked into the top zone on a 1-yard landing run to make the rating 24-10.
The Patriots and Dolphins then exchanged 4 consecutive punts earlier than Jones ended the scoring drought with a 3-yard landing cross to vast receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who had entered the sport after Bourne was dominated out with a knee damage and DeVante Parker was out with a head ailment. The rating, which got here after a 13-play, 81-yard drive that noticed Jones unfold the ball round to tight finish Hunter Henry, vast receiver Demario Douglas and Stevenson, reduce the Dolphins’ result in 24-17.
The dagger got here with 2:43 left within the sport when Tagovailoa discovered a wide-open Jaylen Waddle in the course of the sector for a straightforward 31-yard catch and run landing. The Dolphins despatched Hill in movement, and each Jack Jones and Jonathan Jones adopted him in protection, leaving Waddle standing in the course of the sector with out a defender within the neighborhood.
BEST
S Kyle Dugger: Dugger was in every single place for the Patriots, intercepting a cross, recording a sack and main the staff with seven tackles.
WR Kendrick Bourne: Before leaving the sport with a knee damage, Bourne caught three catches on 4 targets for 36 yards with a landing.
DT Christian Barmore: Barmore had had a powerful three-week stretch. The 2021 second-round decide registered 5 tackles and a sack.
WORST
CB J.C. Jackson: The veteran cornerback allowed two touchdowns in Sunday’s loss. He was charged with defensive cross interference, however it was a reasonably ticky-tack flag Jackson.
S Marte Mapu: The rookie defender trailed far behind Hill on the Dolphins’ 42-yard landing connection. He noticed his enjoying time lower after the play.
QB Mac Jones: It wasn’t an terrible efficiency from Jones, however the bar is fairly low for the younger quarterback this season. He was 19-of-29 for 161 yards with two touchdowns, an interception and two extra near-picks. Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa was 30-of-45 for 324 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.
Source: www.bostonherald.com