FOXBORO — Patriots quarterback Mac Jones for the second straight week had the ball in his fingers with the possibility to increase the sport and got here up quick in excruciating vogue.
The Patriots took over from their very own 45-yard line after a missed 55-yard kick from Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders down 24-17. The Patriots went 22 yards on 5 performs to arrange a fourth-and-3 from the Dolphins 33-yard line. Quarterback Mac Jones hit tight finish Mike Gesicki for what gave the impression to be heading for a 1-yard loss. Gesicki, with some heads-up considering, lateraled to protect Cole Strange. The play was initially dominated a primary down. On additional evaluate, Strange was determined to be inches quick.
That was recreation. The Dolphins kneeled on the ball to squeak previous the Patriots, who are actually 0-2 on the younger season, 24-17.
Rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez made the play of the day, intercepting Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on a deep ball to large receiver Tyreek Hill that had just a bit bit an excessive amount of air underneath it with 9:56 left within the recreation. The Patriots’ offense, nonetheless, couldn’t do something with the ball on their ensuing possession. Quarterback Mac Jones was sacked on second down after a first-down incompletion. His third-down heave on third-and-20 fell in entrance of tight finish Mike Gesicki’s one-arm desperation attain.
The Dolphins rapidly responded with an unblocked 43-yard landing rush from operating again Raheem Mostert.
Jones then led his group on a nine-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 2-yard landing plunge from operating again Rhamondre Stevenson.
Jones, who completed 31-of-42 for 231 yards with one landing and one interception, hit tight finish Hunter Henry for a six-yard landing with 11:21 left within the recreation within the Patriots’ earlier offensive sequence. That play ended an eight-play, 58-yard scoring drive after the Patriots’ protection stepped up in an enormous method.
The Patriots made it to the Dolphins’ 22-yard line with 52 seconds left within the third quarter earlier than Jones tossed a 50-50 ball low and shallow to large receiver DeVante Parker. The odds weren’t in Jones’ favor, as Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard ripped the ball away from Parker and saved each toes in bounds for the interception.
The Patriots had obtained the ball on the Dolphins’ 49-yard line after special-teams maven Brenden Schooler obtained a operating begin on a nifty play design and blocked a discipline purpose try from kicker Jason Sanders. Patriots security Kyle Dugger recovered the block to offer his group high quality discipline place. But they couldn’t capitalize.
Jones’ interception was the Patriots’ second turnover of the sport. Patriots rookie large receiver Demario Douglas fumbled after choosing up sufficient yards to transform on third-and-8 earlier than getting stripped from behind on the ultimate play of the primary quarter. The Dolphins responded with an 11-play, 78-yard landing drive that culminated with an 8-yard rush from operating again Raheem Mostert into the top zone. Mostert discovered the top zone on an 8-yard scamper with 9:43 left within the second quarter to cap off an 11-play, 73-yard scoring drive.
The Dolphins kicked off the scoring on their first drive as Sanders booted via a 23-yard discipline purpose after the Patriots’ protection bent however didn’t break.
The Patriots gave the impression to be going into the half down only one rating after rookie kicker Chad Ryland made his first profession discipline purpose, a 49-yarder, with 1:53 left within the first half. The Dolphins then took the ball 75 yards down the sector on eight performs and Tagovailoa hit large receiver Tyreek Hill for a 2-yard landing.
The Patriots’ cornerback depth was examined with starter Jonathan Jones out with an ankle damage and Jack Jones on injured reserve. Gonzalez and Marcus Jones began. Marcus Jones suffered a shoulder damage and was dominated out of the sport. That led to extra snaps for cornerbacks Myles Bryant and Shaun Wade.
The Patriots restricted Hill to 5 catches on 9 targets for 40 yards with the landing. Waddle caught 4 passes on six targets for 86 yards. Tagovailoa went 21-of-30 for 249 yards with a landing and interception.
BEST
CB Christian Gonzalez: Gonzalez’s first profession interception was an unlimited play. Tagovailoa tried to hit Tyreek Hill deep down the left sideline, however Gonzalez hurried over, positioned himself in entrance of Hill and ripped the ball away from the speedy however undersized large receiver.
TE Hunter Henry: Henry hauled in powerful catches and scored his second landing in as many video games this season. He completed with six catches on seven targets for 52 yards with the landing.
ST Brenden Schooler: The second-year professional made the play of the day for the Patriots, taking a operating begin to block a discipline purpose halfway via the third quarter. If gave the group a preventing probability down 17-3.
WORST
WR Demario Douglas: The rookie large receiver misplaced a expensive fumble after gaining sufficient yards to make a third-down conversion. Douglas was benched after the turnover however took over punt return duties after Marcus Jones left the sport with a shoulder damage.
Offensive line: The Patriots’ makeshift offensive line wasn’t giving Mac Jones sufficient time early within the recreation, permitting a sack and three QB hits within the first half. Mac Jones tried to face sturdy within the pocket however couldn’t generate massive performs via the air.
Tackling: Dolphins large receivers did lots of harm with yards after catch. Patriots defenders had been merely permitting too many slipped tackles. The Dolphins additionally rushed 30 instances for 144 yards with two touchdowns.
Source: www.bostonherald.com
