Patriots rally past Dolphins 24-19 without key players
Drake Maye threw two touchdowns and ran for another as New England overcame a 10-point halftime deficit in Miami.
By Elena Menon ·
The New England Patriots overcame a 10-point deficit at halftime to defeat the Miami Dolphins 24-19 on Sunday in Miami Gardens, Fla., despite missing three key offensive contributors.
Quarterback Drake Maye played without wide receivers A.J. Brown and Mack Hollins, as well as running back TreVeyon Henderson. Brown suffered a knee and ankle injury, Hollins dealt with a calf issue, and Henderson was sidelined with an illness. Maye completed 16 of 20 passes for 199 yards and recorded two touchdown passes. He also rushed for a score, giving him at least three total touchdowns in his fifth consecutive game.
The Patriots trailed 13-3 entering the second half after the Dolphins scored on an 11-play drive capped by a 1-yard run by Malik Washington. New England then outscored Miami 21-0 in the second half. DeMario Douglas caught a 48-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter to extend the lead. Maye later ran in a 2-yard touchdown with 59 seconds left in the third quarter to give the Patriots a 17-13 lead.
Coach Mike Vrabel defended Maye's performance against the backdrop of the injuries. "(If) you want to be a great quarterback in the National Football League, there's not a whole lot of excuses," Vrabel said. "You go out there and find ways to win for your football team. That’s who he is and that’s what he wants to continue to be."
The Dolphins mounted a late rally but fell short. Malik Willis, who completed 21 of 32 passes for 211 yards and threw two touchdowns, connected with rookie Kevin Coleman Jr. for a 35-yard touchdown with two minutes remaining. Miami missed a two-point conversion, and Rhamondre Stevenson recovered the onside kick to give the Patriots possession. New England ran out the clock to secure the win.
Willis was sacked five times and threw one interception. The Dolphins' Ollie Gordon left the game after receiving an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Willis led the team to its first win of the season last week, improving their record to 1-6. The Patriots improved to 5-3.
The Patriots will host the Green Bay Packers next Sunday. The Dolphins will host the Detroit Lions next Sunday.
Source: Houston Chronicle
