Week 2 has come and gone for teams across the NFL and the Miami Dolphins had the prime-time spot for Sunday Night Football and they did not disappoint. Miami was able to pull off a 24-17 win over the New England Patriots and sit in first place in the AFC East, bringing their record to 2-0.
The Dolphins are coming off an impressive Week 1 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, a game that receiver Tyreek Hill made 11 receptions for 215 yards and two touchdowns in a 36-34 victory. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw a league-best 466 yards, and was one of three QBs across the league in Week 1 to throw three touchdown passes. One of the other QBs to achieve that feat was the New England Patriots’ Mac Jones who threw for 316 yards in the Patriots’ 25-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The last time these two faced off at Gillette Stadium, the Patriots got away with a 23-21 victory over Miami. The Dolphins were without Tagavailoa in this game due to lingering concussion issues in this loss.
All Eyes on Tua
After an incredible Week 1 performance that earned him AFC Player of the Week, Miami’s QB had pressure on him going into Sunday’s contest. Not only that, but Tagovailoa held an undefeated record against the Patriots in the four games he’s faced them. In those four games, he has a stat line of 726 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
Tagovailoa faced a tough New England defense that had held Eagles’ QB Jalen Hurts to 170 yards and one touchdown. However, the Dolphins’ defense was able to come through with driving plays from the initial possession.
The first drive by the Dolphins spanned 81 yards on 13 plays and ended with a 23-yard field goal by Jason Sanders to bring them an early 3-0 lead. After safety DeShon Elliott recovered a fumble, completions of 15 and 28 yards to WR Jaylen Waddle put Miami in scoring distance. RB Raheem Mostert was able to make his way into the end zone from the eight yard-line to give the Dolphins a 10-0 lead with 9:43 left to play in the first half.
.@RMos_8Ball ➡️ END ZONE!
📺: #MIAvsNE on @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/OCt4ChscOI
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 18, 2023
Elliott would come up big again in the second quarter, a pass-deflection on third-and-9 to end the Patriots drive and ultimately force a 49-yard field goal from Chad Ryland. With 1:49 remaining in the half, Miami’s offense returned to the field. Tagovailoa was able to make a quick pass to Tyreek Hill with less than 20 seconds left to bring the Dolphins’ lead to 17-3 at the half.
.@Tua to 🐆 in the end zone? YES. 😎
📺: #MIAvsNE on @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/kT8zjLxgbI
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 18, 2023
The Patriots answered back quite quickly as the second half kicked off. QB Mac Jones was able to compete an 18-yard run on third-and-15, finding tight end Hunter Henry for a six-yard score to bring the score to 17-10 Miami.
After an interception, linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel sacked Jones for a 10-yard loss on second down to force a punt. Mostert attacked once again, running up the middle for a 43-yard touchdown run to help Miami extend their lead to 24-10.
.@RMos_8Ball showin’ off on SNF 😎
📺 #MIAvsNE on @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/TekhPyuF9w
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 18, 2023
In the end, Tagovailoa threw for 249 yards and one touchdown. Tyreek Hill shined once again, having five receptions for 40 yards and a score. Both Hill and Waddle combined for 126 of Tagovailoa’s 249 passing yards.
We have to give Mostert his flowers as he was showing off his best on Sunday Night Football under the lights at Gillette Stadium. Mostert had 18 carries for 121 yards and two touchdowns.
With two wins on the road to kick off the season for the first time since 2013, the Dolphins are heading back home to Hard Rock Stadium to take on the Denver Broncos (0-2) on Sunday, Sept. 24 for Miami’s regular-season home opener.
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