Dolphins Nosedive Continues

Issues hold going from dangerous to worse for the Miami Dolphins.

Taking part in with out 4 key starters — quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, sort out Terron Armstead, cornerback Xavien Howard and linebacker Bradley Chubb — the Dolphins had a second-half lead in opposition to the New England Patriots till issues fell aside.

The end result was a 23-21 loss, their fifth in a row after a five-game successful streak, that dropped their report to 8-8.

Extra importantly, the loss put the Dolphins able to want assist in Week 18 to make the playoffs needing a victory plus a New England loss at Buffalo to make the postseason for the primary time since 2016.

Teddy Bridgewater made his second begin of the season for the Dolphins, however for the second time he could not end due to an harm.

Because it turned out, his final play was the largest play of the sport, an interception that New England security Kyle Dugger returned 39 yards for a landing that gave the Patriots a 16-14 lead within the third quarter.

Bridgewater left the sport with a finger harm to his throwing hand and was changed by rookie seventh-round decide Skylar Thompson.

Bridgewater accomplished 12 of 19 passes for 161 yards with one landing and one interception.

His 2-yard landing throw to working again Raheem Mostert whereas he was being tackled gave Miami a 14-7 lead within the third quarter.

SKYLAR THOMPSON REPLACES BRIDGEWATER AGAIN

Thompson was 12-for-21 for 104 yards with a landing and one interception.

He led a 61-yard drive that ended together with his 4-yard TD go to Mike Gesicki with 1:04 left, however New England clinched the victory by recovering the following onside kick.

The Dolphins’ first landing got here on a 2-yard run by Tyreek Hill on a backward go and tied the rating 7-7 on the primary play of the second quarter.

The Dolphins ended up outgaining New England 333-249 however have been performed in by their two interceptions and penalties (Miami was penalized 9 occasions for 71 yards).

Whereas Bridgewater was within the recreation, the Dolphins tried to ascertain the working recreation, with restricted success as a result of Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. mixed for 73 yards on 24 carries, barely greater than 3 yards an try.

On protection, Christian Wilkins, Zach Sieler and Elandon Roberts every had a sack.

Miami additionally held New England to 5-for-13 on third down in what general was a reasonably strong defensive efficiency, notably contemplating all of the accidents within the secondary.

What was lacking from the defensive effort, although, was making a takeaway. And with the Dolphins turning the ball over, that grew to become the distinction within the recreation.

The Dolphins now can solely hope to get a few of their key injured gamers again for his or her season finale in opposition to the Jets to allow them to lastly finish that shedding streak and perhaps even get into the playoffs on the identical time.

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