Patriots Country

FINAL: Patriots Fall Inches Short of Defeating Dolphins 24-17

The New England Patriots will have to find a new answer to slow down Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill, as Jonathan Jones is out with an injury.

Harrison Reno

In this story:

The New England Patriots play host to AFC East rival the Miami Dolphins inside Gillette Stadium for Week 2's Sunday primetime game. 

While this is the first intra-division game for both teams, the race for the AFC East title kicked off last week with the Monday night game between the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills, where the former - without Aaron Rodgers - was able to pick up the win and take an early lead. However, now the Patriots and Dolphins will look to pull even with a win. 

The Dolphins are fresh off a thrilling 36-34 Week 1 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. The connection between quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and top wide-out Tyreek Hill was the story, as the latter totaled 215 yards and two touchdowns on 11 receptions in the shootout win, leading the Dolphins in receiving yards. Tagovailoa completed 28 of his 45 passes for 466 yards and three touchdowns with just one interception. 

With the Patriots fresh off a hard-fought 25-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, things won't get any easier defensively, especially without top cornerback Jonathan Jones, who was reported as inactive for the game due to an ankle injury. 

Jones, the Patriots' top cornerback, has been instrumental in New England's game plan of years past to stop Hill. In the last six matchups between Hill and the Patriots, Jones has allowed just 12 receptions on 24 targets for 147 yards and even has an interception, according to Evan Lazar.

Even with Jones out, the Patriots will still have a number of options to call on to help slow down Hill, including rookie Christian Gonzalez, Marcus Jones, and Myles Bryant. 

Slowing down Hill could prove vital to a win for the Patriots as they look to get their first of the season.

WHAT: Miami Dolphins (1-0) at New England Patriots (0-1)

WHERE: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass. (64,628)

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, 8:20 p.m. ET

TELEVISION: NBC Sunday Night Football / FuboTV (try it free)

RADIO: WIP-FM 94.1

TICKETS: SI Tickets

BETTING via SI SportsBook

SPREAD: Dolphins -2.5

TOTAL: 46.5

MONEYLINE: Dolphins -158, Patriots +130

First Quarter

The Patriots had a promising drive getting across midfield with a mix of run and pass. However, a second-down sack put the Patriots in a third-and-21 before they were forced to punt, as Rhamondre Stevenson couldn't pick up anything on a screen pass.

Change of Possession

The Patriots defense stood tall in the redzone, as they held the high-powered Dolphins offense to just three points on a 23-yard field goal from Jason Sanders. 

FIELD GOAL DOLPHINS 

Dolphins 3, Patriots 0 

Change of Possession

Jones has started out strong completing his first seven throws, with his only incompletion coming on this drive as he looked to Kendrick Bourne on a deep ball. The Patriots offense found their way into Miami territory before a third and eight completion to Demario Douglas for what would've been a first down turned into a disaster as he fumbled the football. 

Change of Possession

Second Quarter

Just like last week, a Patriots turnover turns into points for the opposing offense. The Dolphins capitalized off the Douglas fumble as Raheem Mostert found the endzone on an eight-yard touchdown run. 

TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS

Dolphins 10, Patriots 0 

Change of Possession

The Patriots got a first down but not much else as Alex Van Ginkel hit Jones on a third-down pass which caused it to fall incomplete. 

Change of Possession

The Patriots' defense got the stop they needed as they forced a three-and-out as Tagovailoa tried to hit Jaylen Waddle on a deep ball, which was incomplete thanks to tight coverage from Myles Bryant.

Change of Possession

The Patriots settled for a field goal thanks to the leg of Chad Ryland, who made a 49-yarder.

FIELD GOAL PATRIOTS 

Dolphins 10, Patriots 3

Change of Possession

The Dolphins made quick work of the two-minute drill as they drove 75 yards in eight plays before Tagovailoa found Hill for a two-yard touchdown. 

TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS 

Dolphins 17, Patriots 3

Third Quarter 

For only the second time this evening, the Patriots defense forced a three-and-out as Matthew Judon sacked Tagovailoa on third-down. 

Change of Possession

The Patriots' offense couldn't take advantage of the defense's three-and-out, as they gained just one first down before a Stevenson run was stuffed for a loss on third down. 

Change of Possession

A long 11-play drive for the Dolphins saw them come up empty as a 49-yard field goal attempt for Jason Sanders was blocked by Brendan Schooler. 

Change of Possession

Another great play goes to waste as the Patriots' offense couldn't capitalize on the blocked field goal. The Patriots got a first down after going for it on fourth and inches with a quarterback sneak, but Xaiven Howard picked off a first-down pass to DeVante Parker.

Change of Possession

Fourth Quarter

A Mostert run was the only positive play for the Dolphins on a three-yard gain, as Tagovailoa had two incompletions before another punt for Miami.

Change of Possession

With the Patriots needing a touchdown on this drive, Jones went to work completing all four of his passes as he found his tight end Hunter Henry for a six-yard touchdown. Jones also had a crucial 18-yard scramble on third and long that extended the drive. 

TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS 

Dolphins 17, Patriots 10 

Change of Possession

Continuing the momentum swing, rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez came up with a big interception in coverage against Tyreek Hill to get the Patriots the ball back. 

Change of Possession

A first-down screen to JuJu Smith-Schuster was blown up before Jones was sacked on second down, as the Patriots were forced to punt after Jones was pressured out of the pocket and couldn't hit Mike Gesicki downfield.

Change of Possession

Mostert ripped off a 43-yard touchdown run to add to the Dolphins' lead after Jones' score slimmed the deficit to seven points. 

TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS

Dolphins 24, Patriots 10

Change of Possession

Jones put together another strong drive throwing the football; he completed five of his six throws with some big completions to DeVante Parker, one on third-and-seven as Jones found him for a 14-yard gain. Stevenson capped off the nine-play drive with a two-yard touchdown run. 

TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS 

Dolphins 24, Patriots 17

Change of Possession

A dropped snap on third-and-one forced Jason Sanders on for another field goal attempt which ended up wide left, giving New England another chance to tie the game. 

Change of Possession

After the Patriots picked up a first-down on a 13-yard completion to Kendrick Bournel, a sack on the following play ended up helping the Dolphins salt the game away. Needing 18 yards for a first-down, Jones found Gesicki for a gain of 14, bringing up fourth and four. Then with the game on the line, Jones completed an out route to Gesicki, who was going to be tackled inches short before he lateraled the ball to Cole Strange, who caught it and advanced just inches short of the first down. 

FINAL: Dolphins 24, Patriots 17

Published
Harrison Reno
HARRISON RENO

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