Week 17 Live Blog: Patriots vs. Dolphins- December 29, 2019

Welcome to the Week 17 Live Blog! This week the Patriots welcome AFC East-rival Dolphins to town, but New England will not be in a welcoming mood. The Patriots are looking to lock up the #2 seed in the AFC and the need to win today to accomplish that mission. The Dolphins have been playing well over the last month so this is going to be far from easy.

The Patriots will not have Jason McCourty today at cornerback, so he’ll likely be replaced by J.C. Jackson. Jonathan Jones, who was missed last week, will return to action today. Sony Michel, who was battling injury all week, is also ready to go. Here are the inactive reports for both teams today;

PATRIOTS- DL Byron Cowart, DB Terrance Brooks, CB Jason McCourty, QB Cody Kessler, RB Damien Harris, TE Ryan Izzo, T Jermaine Eluemunor

DOLPHINS- WR Allen Hurns, CB Jomal Wiltz, LB Vince Biegel, T J’Marcus Webb, C Keaton Sutherland, TE Clive Warford, DE Taco Charlton

Charlton, who leads the Dolphins in sacks, is a big loss for a defense that will be looking to get as much pressure on Tom Brady as possible. The loss of McCourty is not ideal, but it shouldn’t have a huge impact on today’s outcome. Be sure to stick with us throughout the game and be sure to hit that refresh button!

FIRST QUARTER

15:00- The Patriots deferred and will kickoff to open the game. 1st & 10, Miami, from their own 25…

14:50- 11-yard gain on the shovel pass out of pressure; 1st & 10 from the 37…

14:12- Slant is complete to Wilson for a gain of eight; 2nd & 2…

13:34- Gain of three and another 1st down for the Fins; 1st & 10…

12:57- SACK!! Guy makes the play as he continues his strong play; 2nd & 18…

12:16- Gain of six on the pass; 3rd & 12…

11:29- Gain of nine on the completion and the Dolphins will punt; 4th & 3…dumb fake attempt. I don’t mind fakes, but on 4th & 3 from the opponents 45, just keep your offense on the field and go for it. You don’t want your punter making that throw, it’s just foolish. New England now takes over with strong field position. 1st & 10, Patriots…

10:39- Michel runs for four; 2nd & 6…

9:58- Harry for five on the catch; 3rd & 1…

9:15- How many times are they going to try and run a sweep on short yardage?? STOP, it doesn’t work with this group. Enough is enough. The play was blown up, obviously. Patriots punt, Miami fumbles but recovers and takes over deep in their territory. Sorry, but when you go for nine yards on the first two plays of the game, you have to convert that 1st down. 1st & 10, Miami…

8:26- No gain on the run; 2nd & 10…

7:52- Parker with the catch and gain of 26, burning Gilmore in the process; 1st & 10…

7:15- Laird runs for four; 2nd & 6…

6:30- Missed tackle leads to another Dolphin 1st down on the reverse; 1st & 10…

5:42- Parker for 12 more and the Dolphins are moving with ease. 1st & 10…

5:07- Two yard run by Laird; 2nd & 8…

4:21- Another chunk of yards leads to 3rd & 1…

3:37- Laird runs for three and another Dolphin’s 1st down; 1st & 10…

3:00- Firzpatrick runs for one; 2nd & 9…

2:24- No gain for Laird; 3rd & 8…

1:42- Incomplete pass and the Dolphins are forced to attempt a field goal…which is good. The Dolphins looked strong on that drive; Miami 3, New England 0

:59- Burkhead runs for 15 & a 1st down; 1st & 10…

:15- Brady sails one; 2nd & 10…

:10- Sanu doesn’t make the catch but there were offsetting penalties; 2nd & 10…

:00- Watson is once again called for the pick but they picked up the flag. Somehow they thought he was maybe getting jammed? Who knows, but the Patriots will take it. 1st & 10 to start the second quarter. Dolphins 3, Patriots 0

SECOND QUARTER

15:00- Well, they decided to change the call again and now the Patriots face 3rd & 20. NFL referees are absolutely terrible and the league needs to look into it. They were right the first time. I’m not mad about the call, I’m mad about the indecision. 3rd & 20…

14:46- Edelman picks up 14 to give them decent field position for the punt; if Brady through it to lead him it would have gone for a first down. The punt was saved at the one by ace-special teamer Matt Slater and downed at the four; 1st & 10, Dolphins…

14:07- Dolphins pick up 11 and yet another first down; they are dominating play. 1st & 10…

13:27- Nine-yard run; 2nd & 1…

12:45- Another three yards and another first down…

12:17- No gain on the run as Simon blows it up off the edge; 2nd & 10…

11:40- Laird picks up five through the air; 3rd & 5…

10:54- Gilmore breaks up the pass to Parker and forces the Dolphins to punt; 4th & 5…the Patriots will start the series at their own 31. 1st & 10…

10:41- Sanu with another drop on an easy pass; 2nd & 10…

10:31- Touchdown, Dolphins. Brady throws a pick-six that is taken back by ex-Patriot cornerback Eric Rowe. Terrible throw to basically two guys, the problem is he threw it between the two of them directly into the defender’s hands. Everyone wants to blame the receivers for everything that has gone wrong this year (which is true), but you cannot tell me that wasn’t Brady’s fault on that throw. That is on him, and now New England, who struggles to score, is in a 10-point hole in a must-win game. Dolphins 10, Patriots 0

10:27- Loss of one; 2nd & 11…

9:50- Brady with all day to throw and nobody is open; 3rd & 11…

9:46- DPI on the Dolphins gives the Patriots a much-needed 1st down 1st & 10…

9:36- Michel runs for seven; 2nd & 3…

9:13- Michel runs for seven more; 1st & 10…

8:50- Michel runs for eight more; keep it rolling! 2nd & 2…

8:12- Burkhead runs for 12 more; keep hammering them! 1st & 10…

7:06- Harry with the back-shoulder catch and a 1st down; 1st & Goal…

6:34- Michel runs for two; 2nd & Goal…

5:59- Harry was the target on the fade but it was overthrown; 3rd & Goal…

5:54- Brady sails one that was intended for Sanu; incomplete, 4th & Goal…

5:51- Field Goal, Patriots. Sorry for the lack of excitement, but they needed seven on that drive. Dolphins 10, Patriots 3

5:46- 18 more yards for the Dolphins as they continue to move the ball against the top defense in the NFL; 1st & 10…

5:12- Gain of two before Shelton makes the tackle; 2nd & 8…

4:35- Pass is too low and not able to be caught; 3rd & 9…

4:31- Dropped pass gives the Patriots a HUGE break and forces the Dolphins to punt; 4th & 9…

4:23- The Patriots will take over at their own 17; 1st & 10…

3:44- Harry takes it for 12 and a Patriots first down; 1st & 10…tack on 15 for a dumb penalty on Jerome Baker of the Dolphins. 1st & 10…

3:32- Dorsett makes the catch on the deep ball and picks up over 40 yards to set the Patriots up with 1st & Goal…

2:29- Michel for one; 2nd & Goal…

2:03- TOUCHDOWN, PATRIOTS!! Michel runs it in from five yards out after a strong lead-block by Elandon Roberts. The Patriots needed that big play from Dorsett, and they also desperately needed that touchdown. Patriots 10, Dolphins 10

2:00- Laird stuffed for no gain; 2nd & 10, and we have reached the two-minute warning.

1:51- Incomplete pass to Parker down the sideline; 3rd & 10…

1:45- Collins blows up the play and the Patriots will get the ball back. They’re not calling a timeout because they don’t want the same nightmare to occur last week at the end of the half. I look at that as knowing your team.

:53- Michel runs for no gain and the Patriots are letting the half run out. Patriots fans that attend the game should have their memories checked if they’re bitter about them not going for that drive. This is NOT the same offense. Get over it.

:00- Miami dominated the 1st quarter, the Patriots dominated the second, and we go to the half with a tie game.

HALFTIME

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 10, MIAMI DOLPHINS 10

THIRD QUARTER

15:00- Burkhead runs for six to open the third; 2nd & 4…

14:19- No gain by Burkhead; 3rd & 4, which has been a problem area…

13:38- Just terrible stuff on that play; Brady throws it to a covered Sanu, not even to the sticks. Sanu makes the catch and is IMMEDIATELY tackled; what is the point of running that play? 4th & 4…punt!

12:58- Parker with another catch on Gilmore for 11 yards; 1st & 10…

12:22- Gain of two by Laird; 2nd & 8…

11:36- Gain of five; 3rd & 3…

10:54- Blown coverage leads to a huge play and another 1st down; 1st & 10 from the NE 41…

10:10- Throwback play with TWO options to throw too hurts NE as the Dolphins pick up 20 more; 1st & 10 from the 21…

9:25- Incomplete pass to the end zone; 2nd & 10…

9:12- Fitzpatrick runs for six; 3rd & 4…

8:30- Opposite crossing route kills NE for 15 more; 1st & Goal from the two…

7:42- Touchdown, Dolphins. Fitz runs it in as the Patriots defense continues to make the Dolphins look like the ’84 Dolphins. Miami 17, New England 10

7:42- Incomplete pass to Harry, right off his hands; 2nd & 10…

7:31- White makes the catch & run for 12; 1st & 10…

6:58- Michel runs for four; 2nd & 6…

6:28- Incomplete pass; 3rd & 6…

6:21- Sanu finally makes a catch that matter; eight-yard gain for the 1st down…

5:38- Michel runs for seven; 2nd & 3…

5:05- Michel for five more and another Patriot first down…

4:26- TOUCHDOWN, PATRIOTS!! ELANDON ROBERTS!! The Patriots throw a bone to the linebacker/fullback and he catches and runs for a long touchdown to tie this thing right back up! I’m confused as to why the offense can play with so much urgency after the defense gives up a scoring drive. Can we see that urgency all the time? Just wondering. Strong drive, now it is the defense that needs to make plays. Patriots 17, Dolphins 17

*Brady just passed Manning for all-time touchdown passes; congrats to Brady. BTW- it wasn’t mentioned ONCE in the telecast. That’s just wrong.

4:20- Screen pass goes for 10 after the Patriots were called for a horse-collar on the last play; 1st & 10…

3:16- Laird stuffed after a gain of one; 2nd & 9…

2:32- 11 more through the air on the slant; I was wrong about the loss of Jason McCourty, it is definitely hurting them; 1st & 10…

1:11- Incomplete pass after a big collision around the 20-yard line; 3rd & 7…

:58- SACK!! Collins makes a huge play to erase the field goal attempt; Sanu makes the fair catch at the Patriots 10. 1st & 10…

:00- Michel with a strong seven-yard run to end the 3rd quarter, a quarter that was played to a draw as both teams scored a touchdown. The last stop could be huge if the Patriots offense can get any type of score on this drive. It doesn’t have to be a touchdown, they just need to score. Patriots 17, Dolphins 17

FOURTH QUARTER

15:00- Michel runs for seven more; 1st & 10…

13:33- Sack, Dolphins. 3rd & 11…

12:49- Illegal shift negates a 1st down; 3rd & 15…

12:30- 3rd & 15 and the ball is thrown six yards to Harry who is SWARMED by Dolphins. The punt was shanked so the Dolphins take over at their own 35. Not an ideal start to the 4th quarter for New England. 1st & 10, Dolphins…

11:48- Laird runs for three; 2nd & 7…

11:02- 15-yard catch and run on the missed tackle; 1st & 10…

10:28- Incomplete pass; 2nd & 10…

10:19- Huge play to Parker because Fitzpatrick has no fear whatsoever. The guy just doesn’t care and that is what makes him dangerous. 1st & 10 from the Patriots 24…

9:30- Halfback pass is incomplete; 2nd & 10…

9:26- DPI called on Jackson, a questionable call that gives the Dolphins an automatic 1st down at the Patriots 19. 1st & 10…

9:23- Dropped pass on the slant, a play that is KILLING New England today; 2nd & 10…

9:18- Ford makes the catch for six, making it 3rd & 4; the biggest play of the game here…

8:33- Fitzpatrick escaped but the pass was broken up, forcing a field goal. Considering how easily Miami has gone down the field, holding them to three is a huge positive. Dolphins 20, Patriots 17

8:21- Bolden rips through the Patriots 40 for a strong return; 1st & 10…

8:15- Play-action to White for eight after Brady avoids a sack; 2nd & 2…

7:34- Burkhead runs for 13 yards and another Patriot’s first down; 1st & 10…

6:52- Michel runs for one; 2nd & 9…

6:17- Watson gains five on the catch; 3rd & 4…

5:27- Brady has FOREVER to throw because there were eight in coverage and Sanu comes free; 1st & Goal…

4:45- Michel runs for two; 2nd & 8…

4:00- Incomplete to Harry as he can’t get his feet down; 3rd & Goal…false start makes this even harder. 3rd & Goal is basically 3rd & 13 to score a touchdown…

3:53- TOUCHDOWN, PATRIOTS!! James White takes the screen play & runs it in with great blocking to give the Patriots the go-ahead score they were looking for. Now it is up to the defense to close this thing out. Patriots 24, Dolphins 20

3:47- Incomplete pass as the Patriots get good pressure; 2nd & 10…

3:43- 10-yard catch; 1st & 10 from the Miami 35…

3:01- Chung with a nice PBU on the back-shoulder throw; 2nd & 10…

2:56- Five yard gain by Ford, whose been good today; 1st & 10…

2:12- Fumble, but it was recovered by Fitzpatrick. 2nd & 12, & we reached the two-minute warning.

2:00- Parker picks up 25 more as he continues to win the matchup with Gilmore; 1st & 10…

1:15- Parker makes the catch and gets HAMMERED by Gilmore, who is obviously frustrated. 2nd & 6…

1:10- Fitzpatrick rushed and throws it away; 3rd & 6…

1:05- 10 more yards and another 1st down. Not good.

:35- 2nd & 2 from the 10…

:29- 1st & Goal. I don’t have much to say. The defense that has been #1 all year needs to make a stop right here if the Patriots want a bye, which they clearly need.

:24- Touchdown, Dolphins. I’m sorry, you cannot be considered a “historic” defense if you can’t stop a 4-11 team from driving 75 yards in four minutes. The defense just blew the bye and most likely any chance at a Super Bowl run. That’s not negative, that’s reality. On top of that, Shelton picked up a 15-yard “me” penalty to cost them 15 more on the return. Gross. Dolphins 27, Patriots 24

:20- Incomplete pass; 2nd & 10…

:15- Edelman picks up 15 and the Patriots call timeout; 1st & 10 from the NE 40…

:09- Incomplete pass, and the next play will decide if the Patriots can attempt a field goal; 2nd & 10…

:02- Last try here as the about the be 12-4 Patriots will be forced to play in the Wild Card Round next week, typically a bad sign for New England.

:00- Speechless.

Final score- Miami Dolphins 27, New England Patriots 24

Thank you all for your support all season, we truly appreciate it. See you all next week as the Patriots will be hosting either the Titans, Raiders, or Steelers.