FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) – Kyle Dugger intercepted Teddy Bridgewater and returned it 39 yards for a go-ahead landing late in the 3rd quarter, and the New England Patriots saved their playoff hopes alive by rallying to conquer the Miami Dolphins 23-21 on Sunday.
Mac Jones had touchdown passes to Tyquan Thornton and Jakobi Meyers to enable the Patriots (8-8) snap a four-recreation shedding streak to their AFC East rivals. Jones finished 20 of 33 for 203 yards.
>>>>>CBS 4’s Steve Goldstein’s video game investigation
Michael Dwyer / AP
The Dolphins (8-8) entered with a prospect to clinch a postseason berth with a victory and decline by the New York Jets at Seattle. As an alternative, Miami missing its fifth straight sport and will require to gain next 7 days in opposition to the Jets and will need Buffalo to beat New England to qualify for the postseason for the first time considering the fact that 2016.
Miami played without having quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who’s in the concussion protocol for the 2nd time this time. Bridgewater started in his location and was strong, finishing 12 of 19 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown just before leaving late in the 3rd quarter with an wounded appropriate ring finger just after getting picked off by Dugger.
Bridgewater, who didn’t return, was changed by Skylar Thompson. The 3rd-stringer experienced an interception and a late TD pass to Mike Gesicki to trim the deficit to 23-21. He finished 12 of 21 for 104 yards.
The Dolphins have been by now shorthanded, missing still left deal with Terron Armstead (toe/pectoral muscle/knee/hip), cornerback Xavien Howard (knee), and linebacker Bradley Chubb (ankle/hand).
New England was with no defensive backs Jalen Mills (groin), Jack Jones (knee) and Marcus Jones (concussion), along with wide receiver DeVante Parker and restricted stop Jonnu Smith, who both equally have concussions.
It remaining Jonathan Jones and Myles Bryant as the starters at cornerback, with exercise squad elevation Tae Hayes delivering help in selected sets as New England stuck generally to zone.
The Dolphins mainly performed it risk-free offensively, running the ball normally, with Bridgewater sticking generally to small and intermediate passing routes.
Michael Dwyer / AP
Soon after exchanging touchdowns in the 1st half, the teams combined for 6 punts and a skipped field purpose by Miami. The Dolphins broke the stalemate in the the 3rd quarter when Bridgewater capped a 5-engage in, 41-garden generate with a 2-lawn shovel move to Raheem Mostert that made it 14-7.
Nick People slice into the guide on New England’s up coming collection with a 49-garden field purpose.
Miami was struggling with 3rd down on the subsequent drive when Bridgewater threw into website traffic seeking for Trent Sherfield. Dugger picked it off and returned it 39 yards for his TD. But Folk’s further level banged off the upright, leaving the rating at 16-14.
It was Dugger’s 3rd rating of the year. It marked the fourth straight 7 days the Patriots have had a defensive rating and their seventh of the time.
Bridgewater entered the health-related tent for evaluation after the INT and was changed by Thompson, who was picked off by Jonathan Jones.
Two collection afterwards, the Patriots went up 23-14 on Mac Jones’ 1-garden TD pass to Meyers.
Receiving DEFENSIVE
The Patriots’ seven defensive touchdowns this time are the most in franchise background and most by any staff considering the fact that the 2017 Jaguars. New England defeat Jacksonville that year in the AFC championship video game.
Accidents
Dolphins: S Jevon Holland visited the clinical tent immediately after leaving with an arm harm early in the next quarter. … OT Kendall Lamm remaining in initial 50 % with an ankle situation.
Patriots: LB Ja’Whaun Bentley jogged off on his individual electric power after a collision in the 3rd quarter. … Meyers still left with a shoulder harm following this touchdown. … CB Jonathan Jones walked off on his very own power immediately after getting shaken up late in the fourth.
UP Upcoming
Dolphins: Host the Jets up coming Sunday.
Patriots: Pay a visit to the Bills up coming Sunday.
