In the second quarter of the Sunday night prime-time game, the Miami Dolphins took a two-score lead against the New England Patriots, but their offence was aided by a good defensive performance.
Wide receiver Demario Davis of the Patriots was overtaken by linebacker Bradley Chubb, who then stole the ball and gave the Dolphins possession at their own 27-yard line. The Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa hit receiver Jaylen Waddle for a 28-yard gain on the ninth play of the subsequent drive, and running back Raheem Mostert completed the drive with an 8-yard score two plays later.
Prior to the snap, Miami moved running back Salvon Ahmed in the wide area of the field before having Mostert run to the opposite side. Mostert outran defender Christian Gonzalez to the corner of the end zone and high-stepped away from linebacker Jahlani Tavai.
Mostert has already scored two touchdowns this year after rushing for three in 16 games last year.
With 11 seconds left before halftime, Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill connected for a 2-yard touchdown, giving the Dolphins a 17-3 halftime lead. The two scored two touchdowns together in Miami’s opening 36-34 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
On the eight-play, 75-yard scoring drive, Tagovailoa completed all seven of his passes, including an outstanding toss to Braxton Berrios in a small window that helped set up the touchdown on the following play. In the first half, despite New England’s defence routinely positioning three deep safety on the field in an effort to neutralise the long ball danger, Tagovailoa completed 15 of 20 throws for 181 yards and a touchdown.