Dolphins use novelty play to stun Patriots, keep slim playoff hopes alive in the AFC
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.
Rookie Kalen Ballage returned the ensuing kickoff 16 yards, and the Dolphins pulled out a hook with two laterals to win the game.
“Boise” is the play call, named after Boise State’s hook-and-lateral play that helped them tie Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl before winning the game in overtime.
Stills believed he should have pitched the football sooner. Parker saw Drake at the last-second and pitched it to him.
Drake was looking for another player to pitch the ball to before seeing Gronkowski playing as a free safety with the Patriots prepared for Tannehill to throw a Hail Mary pass despite his injured right shoulder.
“I was kinda hoping they would pitch me the ball,” said Larsen, whose block on the play opened the door for Drake to secure the victory.
The Dolphins improved to 7-6 this season, entering into a three-way tie with the Baltimore Ravens (who lost to the Kansas City Chiefs) and Indianapolis Colts (who beat the Houston Texans) for the final AFC wild-card spot. Miami is technically eighth in the AFC, but in better position for their final three games of the season than they would have been with a loss to the Patriots.
“We’re not immune or ignorant of the situation we’re in,” Tannehill said. “That one play keeps us alive and moving forward.”
The Dolphins failed to convert on two pivotal opportunities in the fourth quarter on game-changing third downs that nearly put their playoff hopes on the brink.
Tannehill threw a high pass that was out of Stills’ grasp on the second-to-last offensive drive for the Dolphins. But it was an inopportune miscue by Stills, who slid one yard shy of the first-down marker after a catch on second-and-16 earlier in the quarter that unquestionably altered Miami’s momentum in the game.
Tannehill was sacked on the next play with 10 minutes left in the game. The Dolphins held a 28-27 lead over the Patriots at the time, supported by a critical sack by defensive back Bobby McCain at the end of the third quarter.
“I just, honestly, my awareness was bad on that play. I thought I had the first down after I made somebody miss,” said Stills, who scored Miami’s first touchdown of the game.
“[I’m] sitting on the sideline on the bench praying like ‘God, just help me to find a way to help our team, or help us to find a way to win some way somehow.”
Dolphins rookie defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick was called for pass interference on a deep pass from Patriots quarterback Tom Brady to receiver Josh Gordon in the final minute, and Gostkowski’s field goal nearly put the game away.
Instead, the Patriots lost their fifth game in the last six seasons in South Florida, and failed to clinch the AFC East.
The Dolphins answered each of the Patriots’ first three touchdowns with scores of their own. Their 21 halftime points were the most in a first half in three seasons.
And they were fortunate to only trail, 27-21, at halftime, after Tannehill left the game with a sprained right ankle with a minute remaining. The Patriots could not turn their second blocked punt of the game into a score. Brady overthrew receiver Chris Hogan before being sacked on the final play of the half by defensive end Robert Quinn to keep the game close.
Miami’s luck continued in the second half, too, when Gostkowski missed a 42-yard field goal, adding to his missed PAT on the first drive of the game.
Tannehill helped the Dolphins keep pace, finishing 14 of 19 for 265 yards and three touchdowns and a 155.2 passer rating boasted by the final play.
The Dolphins hope to carry their momentum into next Sunday’s road game against the Minnesota Vikings.
The “Miami miracle sounds nice,” Stills said of the Dolphins’ comeback win.