The New England Patriots are now 8-8 on the season after defeating the Miami Dolphins by a 23-21 final at Gillette Stadium. Scroll down below for a recap of the top highlights from the game.

Patriots Execute Close-Out Drive

The Patriots offense closed strong today. They just drove 89 yards in 11 plays, culminating with a Mac Jones to Jakobi Meyers touchdown pass off an audible at the line. It’s now 23-14 Patriots.

All of a sudden, the Pats offense shows signs of life, and comes up with seven points in a big spot. The Dolphins are down two possessions with only 4:29 left in regulation.

Jonathan Jones Gets A Pick

Two straight drives with an interception for the Patriots defense. Jonathan Jones picks off Miami quarterback Skylar Thompson, doing a good job to keep his feet in bounds on the play. The Patriots took over and went three-and-out, but the New England D is starting to make significant plays to keep them ahead in the game.

Patriots Get Much-Needed Big Defensive Play

With the offense drying up for the Patriots, it started to feel like they needed a defensive score. They got it. Kyle Dugger with a great play to snag the ball on an errant Teddy Bridgewater throw, then stay on his feet and weave his way through the Dolphins defense for the score. Nick Folk’s extra point was no good, though. But it’s now 16-14 Patriots.

Patriots Score 3

Chippin’ away. Patriots kicker Nick Folk is good from 49 yards and it’s now 14-10 Dolphins.

The big play on this drive was a 29-yard strike from Mac Jones to Tyquan Thornton. The rookie receiver is having one of his best games of the season. But what killed them here was a false start by Kendrick Bourne, which set up third-and-11. The Pats could not convert and thus had to settle for the field goal.

Dolphins Take Their First Lead

After a long touchdown drought, someone has found the end zone – the Dolphins. Teddy Bridgewater made a Patrick Mahomes-esque shuffle pass to Raheem Mostert in the end zone, not pretty but certainly enough to complete the touchdown. It’s now 14-7 Dolphins.

Promising Drive Stalls

The Patriots ran six plays and … punted. Mac Jones is sacked on third down after Rhamondre Stevenson couldn’t pick up the blitz off play-action.

It was a promising drive, highlighted by a 29-yard connection between Mac Jones and Hunter Henry. But the Dolphins now have the ball back.

Dolphins Strike Back, Tie It Up

The Dolphins started off the second quarter with a Tyreek Hill touchdown, on a pass that went slightly backward, making it a rushing TD for No. 10. Miami grinded their way to the end zone in 13 plays for the TD.

New England had Miami ready to punt on fourth-and-6, but a running into the kicker penalty on Brendan Schooler allowed them to go for it on fourth down. They converted, and ultimately fund the end zone.

Patriots Strike First

The Patriots are the ones to take an early lead, for a change. Mac Jones and rookie Tyquan Thornton connected for a seven-yard touchdown, and the extra point was good to make it 7-0 Patriots.

Thornton also made the longest play of the opening drive, a 24-yard grab on a deep ball down the sideline. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel challenged the ruling of a completed catch, but the replay showed enough to prove that Thornton had possession when both feet touched in bounds. A defensive stop and solid touchdown drive, strong start for the Patriots.

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 @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.