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New England Patriots

New England Patriots

Final: Patriots lose to Dolphins 17-16 in season opener

Avatar photo By Sports Hub Staff
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 29: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots looks to pass the ball against against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on August 29, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

It’s gone final in New England: the Patriots are 0-1 after a costly fumble by running back Damien Harris gave the ball back to the Dolphins with under three minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Miami will escape Week 1 with a win and sole possession of first place in the AFC East.

Read below for live updates and highlights from the game.

  • Q4, 3:35: Harris fumble gives it back to Dolphins

    The Patriots were only 11 yards away from the end zone, but Damien Harris made the worst possible mistake to fumble the ball. The Dolphins recovered and have a chance to make a clock-killing drive.

  • Q4, 8:07: Jonathan Jones makes clutch interception

    The Patriots are back in business with a chance to take back the lead. On a third-down scramble, Tua tried to throw the ball out of bounds, but it stayed in. After a few bounces, Jon Jones came down with it.

  • Q4, 10:36: Patriots within one

    Another promising drive stalls out in the red zone. Mac Jones’ pass intended for Jakobi Meyers is a little ahead of him, but off his hands to force a field goal attempt by Nick Folk. The kick is good and it’s 17-16 Miami.

  • End Q3: Dolphins 17, Patriots 13

    As we head into the fourth quarter, the Patriots have a first-and-10 on the Dolphins’ 47-yard line.

    A 16-yard pass from Mac Jones to Hunter Henry set up the fresh set of downs.

  • Q3, 2:50: Long Patriots drive ends in touchdown

    The Patriots came close to answering the Dolphins’ touchdown, but had to settle for a field goal. The score is now 17-13.

    Mac Jones and James White connected on a wheel route for a clutch 26-yard gain on third down to put the Pats within striking distance. Unfortunately, a four-yard loss on a pitch play to Damien Harris set them back. An incomplete pass intended for Kendrick Bourne forced the field goal attempt.

  • Q3, 10:51: Dolphins take 17-10 lead

    The Dolphins got right back on top after a strong drive to start the third quarter. Keyed by a 30-yard strike from Tua Tagovailoa to DeVante Parker, the Dolphins drove 75 yards in nine plays and only 4:09.

    Tua finished off the drive with a three-yard swing pass to Jaylen Waddle. Patriots defense burned to start the second half.

  • HALFTIME: Patriots 10, Dolphins 10

    A 36-yard pass by Tua Tagovailoa to Jaylen Waddle put the Dolphins within striking distance, and a QB sneak by backup Jacoby Brissett set up first-and-10 from the Patriots’ 28-yard line. Unfortunately for Miami, the Patriots defense stepped up.

    First, Jalen Mills broke up a pass intended for Albert Wilson that had touchdown potential. Then, on third down, linebacker Josh Uche picked up a 7-yard sack to force the field goal attempt. Jason Sanders’ kick is good, and these teams are tied at the half.

  • Q2, 2:30: Patriots take their first lead

    It took a while, but the Patriots have their first lead of the game. Mac Jones completes to Nelson Agholor for a 7-yard touchdown. A roughing the passer flag on Dolphins linebacker Elandon Roberts help set up the Patriots with first-and-goal from the Miami 8-yard line.

    The biggest play of the drive was a 25-yard strike deep down the middle to Agholor, who is up to four catches for 51 yards and the score.

  • Q2, 7:41: Patriots get a stop, but can't capitalize

    A third-down drop by Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle gave the ball back to the Patriots, but they only ran four plays and had to punt on their ensuing drive. A deep ball intended for Jakobi Meyers fell incomplete on a pass breakup by former Patriot Jason McCourty.

  • Q2, 10:18: Patriots on the board

    The Dolphins now lead 7-3 after the Patriots finish their third offensive drive with a field goal.

    A holding penalty by left tackle Isaiah Wynn negated a 13-yard run by Damien Harris that would have set the Patriots up at the 1-yard line. Jonnu Smith caught a screen on third down and lost the football, but center David Andrews was able to recover it.

  • Q1, 3:28: Stevenson fumbles it away

    Patriots rookie running back Rhamondre Stevenson caught a check-down from Mac Jones but couldn’t maintain control of the football before being down, resulting in a lost fumble. Dolphins take over at the Patriots’ 48-yard line.

  • Q1, 5:29: Dolphins take 7-0 lead

    The Miami Dolphins have drawn first blood after a methodical and efficient first drive. Tua Tagovailoa drove the Dolphins 80 yards on 10 plays in in 5:08, capping the drive by running it in himself.

    Tua and the ‘Fins picked up three chunk plays on the drive: a 17-yard catch-and-run by Jaylen Waddle, a 15-yard run by Myles Gaskin, and an 18-yard catch by running back Salvon Ahmed.

  • Q1, 10:34: Patriots' first drive stalls

    The Patriots’ first drive started promisingly, with a 35-yard run by Damien Harris on the first play. James White converted a third-and-1 run to keep the drive going, but a Mac Jones fumble on first down lost 13 yards, which stalled things. Ultimately, the Patriots had to punt it away.

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