[ad_1]
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Kyle Dugger intercepted Teddy Bridgewater and returned it 39 yards late within the third quarter, and the New England Patriots stored their playoff hopes alive by rallying to beat the Miami Dolphins 23-21. Sunday.
Mack Jones threw landing passes to Tykan Thornton and Jacoby Meyers to assist the Patriots (8-8) snap a four-game dropping streak in opposition to their AFC East rivals. Jones completed 20 of 33 for 203 yards.
The Dolphins (8-8) entered Seattle with a win and a loss to the New York Jets with an opportunity to clinch a postseason berth. As an alternative, Miami misplaced its fifth straight sport and should beat the Jets subsequent week and wish Buffalo to beat New England to make the postseason for the primary time since 2016.
Miami was with out quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who’s within the concussion protocol for the second time this season. Bridgewater began at his spot and was stable, finishing 12 of 19 passes for 161 yards and a landing earlier than leaving late within the third quarter with an injured proper thumb after being picked off by Dagger.
Bridgewater, who didn’t return, was changed by Skylar Thompson. The third-stringer had an interception and a late move to Mike Gesicki to chop the deficit to 23-21. He accomplished 12 of 21 for 104 yards.
The Dolphins had been already shorthanded, lacking left sort out Terron Armstead (toe/pectoral muscle/knee/hip), cornerback Xavien Howard (knee) and linebacker Bradley Chubb (ankle/hand).
New England was with out defensive backs Jalen Mills (groin), Jack Jones (knee) and Marcus Jones (concussion), in addition to huge receivers DeVante Parker and Jonu Smith, who’re each concussed.
That left Jonathan Jones and Myles Bryant because the starters at cornerback, and with the workforce’s elevated apply, Tae Hayes offered assist in sure units as New England largely caught within the zone.
The Dolphins largely performed security offensively, typically operating the ball, whereas Bridgewater largely caught to quick and intermediate passing routes.
After buying and selling punts within the first half, the groups tied for six photographs and a Miami turnover. The Dolphins broke the impasse within the third quarter when Bridgewater capped a five-play, 41-yard drive with a 2-yard landing move to Raheem Mostert that made it 14-7.
Nick Faulk led New England on its subsequent drive with a 49-yard area aim.
Miami was dealing with a 3rd down on the following drive when Bridgewater threw himself into site visitors in search of Trent Sherfield. Dagger picked it up and returned it 39 yards for his TD. However Folks’s further level tipped the upright to make it 16-14.
It was Dagger’s third rating of the season. It marked the fourth straight week the Patriots have had a defensive landing and seventh of the season.
Bridgewater went into the medical tent for analysis after the INT and was changed by Thompson, who was sacked by Jonathan Jones.
Two performs later, the Patriots went up 23-14 on Mack Jones’ 1-yard TD move to Meyers.
OBTAINING PROTECTION
The Patriots’ seven defensive touchdowns this season are probably the most in franchise historical past and probably the most by any workforce for the reason that 2017 Jaguars. New England defeated Jacksonville within the AFC Championship Sport that season.
Accidents
Dolphins. S Jevon Holland visited the medical tent after leaving early within the second quarter with a hand damage. … O.T. Kendall Lamm left within the first half with an ankle downside.
Patriots. LB Ja’Whaun Bentley had a run of his personal after a fumble within the third quarter. … Meyers left with a shoulder damage after this landing. … CB Jonathan Jones left on an influence play after getting concussed late within the fourth.
NEXT
Dolphins. host the Jets subsequent Sunday.
Patriots. Go to the Payments subsequent Sunday.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
[ad_2]
Supply hyperlink