The Patriots heard the talk coming into week 3. The Dolphins are ranked #2 in the power rankings, and after falling to 0-2 there were whispers that the Patriots would be bottom feeders again.
After proving they could hang with the Bills, they again proved they can give a good game to any team in the NFL.
Blake Corum got off to a hot start with 70 1st quarter rushing yards, and he tied the game 7-7 with a TD early in the 2nd quarter. The defense would falter, leading to a 27-14 deficit, but Williams found star receiver Tyquan Thornton for a 78 yard touchdown with just 6 seconds left in the half. Starting with a field goal in the 3rd quarter, the Patriots had come back within 3.
The teams traded touchdowns before a game changing 3rd quarter play. Josh Uche rocked Tua Tagovailoa on a short pass to Devon Achane. The Dolphins feared a torn quadriceps for their injury prone QB and removed him from the game.
After a field goal drive for the Dolphins lead by backup QB Skylar Thompson, Caleb Williams found Blake Corum on a streak for the TD to give the Pats a 38-37 lead. The Dolphins would then miss a go-ahead field goal with under 2 minutes left, putting the Patriots in commanding position.
Anyone in Miami last week knows all too well what happened next. A large Earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale shook all of South Florida, cutting a trench through the middle of Hard Rock Stadium. Luckily, there were no casualties as both players and fans feared for their lives.
“That was crazy,” said Caleb Williams in his latest presser. “I’m used to getting knocked down but not like that.”
Patriots Owner Robert Kraft has generously donated $10 million to victims of the tragedy. The game was postponed and the teams are scheduled for a rematch next week after the field is repaired.
Fortunately for the Dolphins, Tagovailoa’s injury was reclassified as a mild strain and he is expected to play next week. The Patriots will try to live up to their last performance, but some things are bigger than football. #PrayForMiami.