5 Takeaways From the Patriots Win Over Miami
Joe Calabro, GoLocalProv Sports Team
5 Takeaways From the Patriots Win Over Miami
See the Five Takeaways Slideshow Below
"I thought it was a great job by the staff this week, two games in five days is tough. I thought we did a great job. We got contributions from everybody, you know turnovers on defense, more balance in the run game and passing game," said Patriots head coach Bill Belichick after the game.
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The Patriots received the opening kickoff and drove down the field, ending the drive with a Tom Brady 47 yard pass to Rob Gronkowski, who found his way into the end zone with the help of a big block from Brandon LaFell.
The Patriots went up 9-0 on a safety after the Dolphins had a miscommunication on snap and snapped the ball before Tannehill was ready. Tannehill recovered the ball in his own end zone, giving New England an extra two points.
New England went up 19-0 at the half after Dion Lewis took a pass from Brady and ran 16 yards into the end zone.
The Dolphins scored on their first possession of the second half but that is all they would get. The Patriots would cruise the rest of the way to the win.
Notable Stats
Tom Brady went 26 for 38 for 356 yards and four touchdowns. Brady now has 20 touchdown passes on the season.
Dion Lewis returned from injury and pulled in six catches for 93 yards and a touchdown.
Next Up
The Patriots return to action on Sunday, November 8th when they host the Washington Redskins. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
For more on the Patriots win over the Dolphins, see the five takeaways slideshow below.
5 Takeaways From the Patriots Win Over Miami
Kraft Hates the Colts...
At halftime of the game, the Patriots held an in stadium ceremony to honor Willie McGinest who was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame earlier in the year.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft took the mic and after comments about McGinest, he took this shot at the Indianapolis Colts,"There's nothing more satisfying than saddling the Colts with a loss, something Willie did 16 times in his career."
Gostkowski
Kicker Stephen Gostkowski now holds the Patriots franchise record with 26 straight field goals made. Gostkowski passed Adam Vinatieri to get the mark.
Gostkowski has also hit 49 straight field goals at Gillette Stadium.
Gostkowski was drafted by the Patriots in 2006 to replace Vinatieri and was signed to a four year extension over the summer.
Rob Gronkowski
Rob Gronkowski led all pass catchers with 113 yards and a touchdown on six receptions. Julian Edelman caught 7 passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns.
On the season, Gronkowski has 34 receptions for 533 yards and six touchdowns.
Defense
The offense struggled a bit in the first half, give some credit to the Dolphins defense, but while they struggled, the defense stepped up.
Chandler Jones came up with two sacks for 14 yards while Patriots had five sacks as a unit. Jones currently leads the NFL in sacks with 8.5.
The Patriots came up with two interceptions, Logan Ryan and Duran Harmon, and didn't allow the Dolphins many big plays other than the one drive where they scored their only touchdown.
Dion Lewis
It was a very welcome return for running back Dion Lewis, who missed the game against the Jets due to injury.
Lewis had six catches for 93 yards and a touchdown while carrying the ball five times for 19 yards.
"He played great, he makes guys miss, he's very dynamic in the run and pass game and tough to tackle," said Tom Brady after the game.
Lewis carved up the Dolphins catching short passes, averaging 15 yards per catch.
