The Phinsider
The Miami Dolphins come away with an ugly victory over the New England Patriots in Week 5.
The Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots finished an ugly Week 5 AFC East division rivalry game. Both teams made plenty of mistakes, got in their own way, and struggled to do much on offense. Somehow, at the end of the day, it became a pretty good day for the Dolphins.
With the win finishing a fourth-quarter comeback, the Dolphins became the only AFC East team to win in Week 5. The New York Jets lost in London early on Sunday, then the Dolphins beat the Patriots followed shortly by the Houston Texans kicking a game-winning field goal as time expired against the Buffalo Bills. Miami now heads into their bye week just a game out of the AFC East lead.
This was not pretty and Miami has a ton to fix during the bye week, but at least they are headed into the bye with a win and something positive.
Dolphins 15 - 10 Patriots
1. Okay Dolphins. We see some sparks showing up early. The second play of the opening drive was an 18-yard pass from quarterback Tyler Huntley to wide receiver Tyreek Hill over the middle of the field. That feels more like the Dolphins’ offense than the constipated, stagnant system that has been on the field for the first month this year. Maybe they will get away from relying on the pass to the line of scrimmage or two yards behind it. Tight end Jonnu Smith caught two passes on the drive, one for eight yards and one for 13. Kicker Jason Sanders connected on a 54-yard attempt to give Miami their FIRST LEAD OF THE SEASON! Sadly, it is Week 5 before Miami led during a game this year. Dolphins 3-0.
2. Dolphins defense came to play. After giving up a seven-yard run on first down, linebackers Emmanuel Ogbah and Tyus Bowser combined on a sack on second down. Zach Sieler then followed that with a sack on his own on third down to force a three-and-out possession for New England. For the first time the Dolphins defense is playing with a lead. It may only be three points, but the defense came out attacking. If they can keep this up, albeit against a struggling Patriots offensive line, this could be the wake-up call for the Dolphins this season.
3. After the Patriots were penalized for 12 men on the field on a fourth down punt by Miami gave the Dolphins a free first down, Huntley tried to force a pass into wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr., making his debut with the Dolphins, and it was undercut for an interception. Miami needs to put away the Patriots early and cannot afford to make mistakes like that. Four plays later, Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson ran 33 yards for the touchdown and the Dolphins are back to trailing in a game. Patriots 7-3....
