Miami’s miraculous finish Dolphins’ biggest play of season stuns Patriots, keeps slim playoff hopes alive
MIAMI GARDENS — Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills was praying on the sidelines hoping to have another chance to redeem a costly mistake that halted Miami’s momentum earlier in the fourth quarter.
Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill thought it was going to be a long shot to score from his own 31-yard line on the final play of the game, but got the play call from coach Adam Gase on the sideline and informed teammates in the huddle.
Just as the Dolphins’ playoff hopes and season seemed to be slipping away, they came up with their biggest play of the season. And Miami’s hopes to extend this regular season into the postseason overcame a near-disheartening blow against New England.
Tannehill threw a 14-yard pass to Stills. Stills tossed the football back to receiver DeVante Parker for three yards. Parker threw it back to running back Kenyan Drake, who got key blocks from receiver Danny Amendola and guard Ted Larsen, and ran past Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski for 52 yards in the final 16 seconds for a game-winning touchdown against the Patriots.
The Dolphins beat the Patriots 34-33 in front of an announced crowd of 66,087 people in the second-to-last home game of the season at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.
The game-winning 69-yard touchdown was the longest score with no time left in regulation in the Super Bowl era, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
“Being in that situation is hard to explain — I’m just dumbfounded I was able to help this team win this game,” said Drake, who was doused with water by teammates and greeted by owner Steve Ross in the locker room after the game.
The Patriots extended their lead to, 33-28, with 16 seconds left after kicker Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 22-yard field goal with 17 seconds left.
“Being in that situation is hard to explain — I’m just dumbfounded I was able to help this team win this game.” — Kenyan Drake on the Dolphins’ game-winning play