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New England Patriots

Highlights: Patriots fall to Dolphins 33-24

Matt Dolloff January 9th
Sep 12, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) calls a play against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

The game is final in Miami. The New England Patriots couldn’t overcome a sloppy start and several unforced errors in a 33-24 loss to the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. At 10-7, the Patriots will finish with either the fifth or sixth seed in the AFC, depending on the results of the Chargers-Raiders game.

Scroll down for a recap of the top highlights from the game.

  • Q4, 2:53: Harris scores, Patriots within three

    The Patriots are within three points with 2:53 left. Game’s not quite over yet. Damien Harris punched it in from the 1-yard line.

    Biggest play of the drive, though, was a 39-yard connection between Mac Jones and Jakobi Meyers. The latter has made a few very nice catches and crucial plays today, which have kept the Pats in the game.

  • Q4, 6:40: Bolden scores second TD

    What would this game look like if not for Brandon Bolden? The running back has been one of the few bright spots on the Patriots today. He’s got two touchdowns now. But unfortunately, the Pats are running out of time to dig out of this hole.

  • Q3, 4:31: Dolphins go back up 14

    The Dolphins have delivered something of a dagger in the third quarter. After a Jalen Mills pass interference penalty set up the Dolphins with first-and-goal at the 1, Duke Johnson easily outran everyone to the pylon for a touchdown. It’s now 24-10 Dolphins and the Pats still have a sharply uphill battle here.

  • Q2, 7:36: Patriots on the board

    The Patriots have shown signs of life. Mac Jones and the offense just had their first good drive of the day – their first drive with anything good, really. A 35-yard touch-pass from Jones to a wide-open Hunter Henry sparked the drive, and Brandon Bolden capped it with a shifty 15-yard touchdown run. Fullback Jakob Johnson made a massive block to open up the hole Bolden needed.

  • Q1, 0:26: Bad penalty call gives Dolphins first down

    The Dolphins called a fake punt, and punter Michael Palardy slid short of the first down – but Brandon Bolden went for a hit as he slid, which drew him a flag for unnecessary roughness that gifted the Dolphins a first down.

    Why was it a gift? The replay showed that Bolden barely made contact with Palardy, if at all. Very, extremely soft penalty call on what at the time is a key play. What made it truly mind-boggling was that the officials met to discuss the flag and still called it.

  • Q1, 6:07: Early disaster for the Patriots

    Welp, the Patriots are officially having a terrible start. On just the third play from scrimmage, Mac Jones threw an interception to Xavien Howard that the cornerback returned 37 yards for a touchdown. It’s now 14-0 Dolphins.

    Jones made a poor decision to throw the ball where he did. The play was designed to undercut the exact route he targeted. And on top of that, the throw itself was off the mark. It would’ve been incomplete if there were no defenders in the area. Just an awful play by Jones that has put the Pats in a troubling early hole.

  • Q1, 7:34: Dolphins score first

    It was an impressive opening drive for the Dolphins. The Patriots are going to force Miami to sustain long drives down the field without making mistakes, and for one possession, they answered. Thirteen plays, 77 yards, and 7:26 off the clock, capped with a touchdown from Tua Tagovailoa to Jaylen Waddle.

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Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.

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