Like Tyreek Hill performing well, without much flamboyance, the Dolphins did not have to force their talent to get rid of the Patriots.
Miami Dolphins (6-2) – New England Patriots (2-6): 31-17
Best player on his team, best receiver (or almost) in the league and candidate for the MVP title… Few words would do justice to the importance of Tyreek Hill for the Dolphins this season. Absent from training on Wednesday and still limited the next day, his availability for the game against the Patriots was the big question mark of the week in Florida. Before the person concerned himself dispels doubts in a conference.
And if there was still a little kickoff left, his touchdown at the end of the first quarter will have definitively annihilated them. A 42-yard bomb like the Dolphins give us almost every week. Vertical line, defenders beaten from Hill’s first strides, copy and paste (7-7).
TUA DIME TO TYREEK. 42-YARD TOUCHDOWN.
📺: #NEvsMIA on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Quwvdzpx7G pic.twitter.com/VI65QA6lZ0— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2023
Before, however, the Patriots seemed to confirm the signs of progress shown since the first confrontation against the Dolphins in Week 2. Defensively, in particular, with an interception by Kyle Dugger (9 tackles, including 1 for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception), the seventh thrown by Tua Tagovailoa (30/45, 324 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception) this season. A big mistake from the Samoan quarterback, immediately punished by Mac Jones (19/29, 161 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception) and Kendrick Bourne (3 receptions, 36 yards, 1 touchdown).
Ramsey signs his return
If the Dolphins’ attack dazzles everyone, the same cannot be said of the defense, which is faltering at best and very permeable at worst. You only miss one person, and everything is depopulated… Jalen Ramsey’s debut in the Miami jersey tends to confirm the adage. Returning from his meniscus injury suffered during training camp, the six-time Pro Bowler stood out with an interception of which he has the secret. No touchdown, neither on the interception return, nor on the subsequent offensive series, but a field goal to return to the locker room with a comfortable lead (17-7).
Well fortunately because without being thunderbolts of war, these Patriots are showing signs of life. Small, certainly, but encouraging all the same, like JuJu Smith-Schuster, author of his first touchdown of the season in the fourth quarter (24-17).
Miami uncompromising at home
Bodes well for the coming weeks, but too little, too late against one of the best teams in the league. When Tyreek Hill (8 receptions, 112 yards, 1 touchdown) discreetly passed the 1,000 receiving yard mark, after only eight games, it was Jaylen Waddle (7 receptions, 121 yards, 1 touchdown) who put on his costume of superstar and scored the touchdown which sealed the match (31-17).
Halfway through the season, the Patriots’ playoff hopes already seem in vain. The Dolphins, for their part, continue on their merry way, recording their 16th home success in their last 18 matches. The franchise’s best series since the stadium opened in 1987. If not a sign that they will be there in Las Vegas next February, at least confirmation that they are very serious candidates.
