The Miami Dolphins rediscovered their inner workhorse, plowing through the New England Patriots for a gritty 15-10 victory. This win wasn’t just another notch in the belt; it snapped a three-game losing streak and, even sweeter, gave them their first divisional win of the season. After a string of frustrating losses, the Dolphins desperately needed this win to right the ship.
Miami’s game plan was clear: control the clock and wear down the Patriots’ defense. They did just that, rushing for a whopping 193 yards. This ground-and-pound strategy took the pressure off quarterback Tyler Huntley, who is still finding his feet after stepping in.
Rookie running back Jaylen Wright had a breakout game, racking up 86 yards on the ground. Even better, veteran Raheem Mostert made a solid return from injury, adding another 80 yards to the rushing attack. This one-two punch proved too much for the Patriots to handle.
“Certain weeks you have to strap out and win the line of scrimmage and do it down in and down out. We challenged each other to win a game like that. We didn’t have super explosive plays, but we stayed locked in and won the game with a 17-play drive at the end.”
Head Coach Mike McDaniel hit the nail on the head. This game wasn’t about flashy plays; it was about grit, determination, and controlling the trenches. And boy, did they control the trenches.
The game’s defining moment came in the fourth quarter. With the score tied, the Dolphins embarked on a gutsy 15-play, 84-yard drive that ate up nearly nine minutes of clock. The drive culminated in a 3-yard touchdown run by fullback Alec Ingold – the only touchdown for Miami in the game.
“It was cool to end a 17-play drive like that. It was something we needed badly.
It was guard center guard and I walked right in. To see a 17-play drive in the fourth quarter when we needed it was cool for the organization as we really needed it.”
While the offense found its rhythm, the special teams unit had a first half to forget. A blocked punt and a botched snap on a field goal attempt had Coach McDaniel visibly frustrated on the sidelines. But hey, even the best teams have their off days, right?
“You could put the blocked punt in there, but I had complete faith that it would be corrected. It is very important to work on and fix.”
McDaniel’s words reflect the team’s overall mentality – acknowledge the weaknesses, address them head-on, and keep moving forward. With a bye week coming up, the Dolphins have some breathing room to fine-tune their game before their next challenge.