Dolphins 27, Patriots 20
Miami surprises New England at Hard Rock Stadium.
MIAMI GARDENS – Just when it appeared the Dolphins’ playoff hopes were gone, along with all hopes of having a winning record, the New England Patriots strolled into town. And strangely, they were just what Miami needed to breathe life into a season choking and wheezing on self-inflicted wounds for weeks.
Miami, an 11-point underdog, shocked New England, 27-20, Monday night at Hard Rock Stadium to keep its long-shot playoff chances alive. The Dolphins (6-7) are one game behind Buffalo (7-6), Baltimore (7-6) and the Los Angeles Chargers (7-6) for the final wildcard spot in the AFC.
Behind the efforts of cornerback Xavien Howard (two interceptions), running back Kenyan Drake (193 yards from scrimmage including 114 yards rushing), wide receiver Jarvis Landry (two touchdowns), and quarterback Jay Cutler (three touchdowns, no interceptions, 112.1 passer rating) the Dolphins earned their most unlikely victory of the season.
Howard had a pair of interceptions against New England quarterback Tom Brady (one touchdown, two interceptions, season-worst 59.5 passer rating) which Miami turned into 10 points. Drake, the big-play threat, had his second 100-yard rushing effort of the season, and his career.
And the Dolphins’ defense held New England to 0 of 11 on third down conversions as the Patriots (10-3), outgained, 362 yards to 248 yards, had their eight-game winning streak snapped.
New England got a 33-yard field goal from kicker Stephen Gostkowski with 53 seconds left to get within 27-20, but the Patriots failed to recover the ensuing onside kick.
New England, playing without Pro Bowl tight end Rob Gronkowski, who was serving a one-game suspension, didn’t do
much right Monday. It was held to 25 yards rushing on 10 carries after rushing for 196 yards on 38 carries two weeks ago in a 35-17 victory over Miami.
This was close to the worst version of Brady the Dolphins have seen in years and maybe ever. He was 0 of 4 passing with one interception and a 0.0 passer rating in the first quarter, and 11 of 16 for 92 yards, no touchdowns, one interception and a 57.3 passer rating in the first half.
Compare that to Cutler, who was 15 of 20 for 181 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions and a 119.0 passer rating.
Brady, who entered the game leading the league in passer rating (109.7), appeared to be uncharacteristically off-target on throws all night. Howard, on the other hand, was very much on-target when it came to defending New England wide receiver Brandon Cooks.
The Dolphins held a 13-10 halftime lead after an impressive first half in which they outgained New England, 217-120, and held New England to 28 yards rushing on eight carries. The rushing total was noteworthy because the Patriots rushed for 196 yards on 38 carries against Miami two weeks ago.
New England had to get a 46-yard field goal with six second left in the first half to go into the lockerroom with a three-point deficit.
Miami scored on a five-yard pass to Landry from Cutler to take a 13-7 lead in the second quarter. It was a sweet bit of vindication for Landry, who has a career-best seven touchdowns this season. He had a 16-yard touchdown reception nullified on a holding call on left tackle Laremy Tunsil four plays earlier.
The Patriots took a brief 7-6 lead in the second quarter after driving 51 yards in five plays.
Miami led 6-0 after cornerback Xavien Howard intercepted a Brady pass intended for wide receiver Brandin Cooks.
The Dolphins took a 3-0 lead after driving 69 yards in 13 plays, using 5:59 on the clock. It marked the first time Gase’s Dolphins took a lead on New England.
Miami fell behind the Patriots 14-0 two weeks ago in a 35-17 loss, 20-0 in a 35-14 loss in last year’s finale, and 24-0 last year in a 31-24 loss in September.
The Dolphins visit Buffalo next week while New England has a AFC showdown with Pittsburgh.
chperkins@sunsentinel.com; On Twitter @Chrisperk