New England Patriots 34 - Miami Dolphins 17
The Dolphins and Patriots clashed in an amazingly dry Foxborough, both coming off big wins to start the season. The teams traded blows in the first half, but ultimately it was the Patriots who were able to pull away late, mostly on the strength of their defense forcing three second half turnovers.
Things got off to a good start for the Dolphins when they returned the opening kickoff 102 yards for the score. The Patriots then received and put together a long drive which was capped by a 7-yard run by Cobie Ross.
After forcing a punt on the Dolphins next drive, the Pats moved the ball down the field again and scored another TD on a McCoy pass to Gronk. The Dolphins were able to answer back with a beautiful 37-yard pass by Newcomer to Lofton in the endzone. The Pats drove down again and were able to get a field goal as time expired to give them a 17-14 halftime lead.
The Patriots struck first in the 3rd, when Cobie Ross scored a 15-yard TD. The Dolphins were driving again and got the ball down to the red zone when rookie MLB Terrance Carswell again put his stamp on the game, picking a Newcomer pass and returning it 85 yards to the house to put the Pats up 31-14.
The teams traded field goals in the 4th quarter, but in the end the Patriots were able to run out the clock and take the game.
Colt McCoy threw a lot more than last week and was consequently less accurate, though he still completed 16 of 25 for 228 yards, 1 TD and 0 INTs.
Newcomer was 13-20 for 235 yards, 1 TD and 2 INTs.
Cobie Ross was solid if unspectacular, carrying 22 times for 94 yards and 2 scores.
Bolton was held mostly in check, carrying 6 times for 27 yards. Newcomer added 3 rushes for 23 yards.
McCoy spread the ball around well, with Gronk again leading the way with 5 catches for 99 yards and the TD. Roddy White added 3 for 57, and Nick Schexnayder and Demaryius Thomas each added 3 catches as well.
Newcomer also had good distribution, with Fobbs, Gates, Bolton, and Lofton all going for 48+ yards, with Lofton grabbing the TD.
Terrance Carswell was the star again for the Pats on D, totaling 4 tackles (3 solo) with a sack, 2 passes defensed, and the 85-yard INT return. Devin McCourty had a forced fumble for the second straight game, this one recovered by Wake. Rahim Moore also had a pick for the Pats. And Michael Johnson has a sack in each game since swapping end spots with Jermaine Cunningham.
#1 overall pick ROLB Leslie Luther had a solid game after a quiet debit, tallying 7 tackles (6 solo, 3 for a loss). The Dolphins did not sack McCoy or force any turnovers. Jaren Altime opened the game with the great 102-yard return.
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gg fero! Always fun playing you, and the game was much closer in the first half before the turnovers started piling up in the second and things got out of hand.
