Best & Worst
BEST DECEPTION: With the Patriots in punt formation after the offense went three-and-out to start the game, upback Nate Ebner gestured wildly to his teammates. Just as he finished motioning, the ball was snapped directly to him, and he proceeded to run 14 yards around right end for the first down. The play did prove costly in that Ebner was injured and didn’t return. WORST COMMUNICATION: Center Ted Karras fired a perfect snap to Tom Brady, who was lined up in the shotgun. The only problem was Brady’s head was turned, barking out signals. The ball sailed past Brady and safety Reshad Jones scooped the ball up from out of a scrum and returned it 14 yards for the Dolphins’ first touchdown. BEST TIME TO PROVE YOUR WORTH: After Tom Brady’s third interception of the season gave the Dolphins a short field at the end of the half, Stephon Gilmore, the Patriots’ prized signing this offseason, picked off a Matt Moore pass in the end zone with 16 seconds left to preserve a 21-10 halftime cushion. WORST REGARD FOR HIS BODY: Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso clearly isn’t concerned with his physical welfare. Several times in the game, the 233-pounder hurdled through the hit to blast Patriots ball carriers and also saved one hard hit for Tom Brady. BEST GANG TACKLE: A half dozen of Foxboro’s finest were called upon to corral a fan who decided to impersonate a football player as he ran onto the playing field. The intruder paid a physical price for his transgression as he was dragged off the field and promptly cuffed. WORST NO-CALL: Ndamukong Suh lived up to his reputation as someone who takes chippiness to a new level. The Dolphins defensive lineman got away with a blatant face mask on running back Dion Lewis, dropping him for a 3-yard loss. Lewis pleaded his case with the stripes to no avail. BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Danny Amendola swept his foot across the ground, pretending to clear the way for Rob Gronkowski to deliver his famous Gronk Spike after his second touchdown catch of the game. BEST BLITZ: Elandon Roberts blitzed through a wide-open hole untouched and made a beeline for Matt Moore. The Dolphins quarterback had little chance and was immediately dropped for a 10-yard loss back to his own 29-yard line. WORST LACK OF DISCIPLINE: Dolphins cornerback Bobby McCain decided to turn into Mike Tyson at the conclusion of a Dion Lewis 5-yard run. McCain punched Danny Amendola as the two were tangled on the ground and was promptly ejected. Stephon Gilmore intercepts a pass over DeVante Parker. TEXT By DAN VENTURA Twitter: @BostonHeraldHS