Entering the final week of the 2017 regular season, the New England Patriots needed a win to secure the number one seed in the AFC Playoffs but needed to get past their prior struggles in Miami against the Dolphins, who had won three straight at home against them going back to 2013.
#sundayfunday #happynewyear pic.twitter.com/eoI7vQnFvu
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) January 1, 2017
In the first half, it was the Patriots who came out dominating on both sides of the ball as tight end Martellus Bennett scored the first touchdown of the game.
Brady fakes it to Blount then finds Bennett in the end zone. Touchdown, #Patriots! https://t.co/IpzqecaYFI
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/giseleofficial/status/815621971954307072
Tom Brady: 26 touchdowns, 2 interceptions. #Patriots #MVP #CantStopHim
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) January 1, 2017
Tom Brady got a touchdown before 1:15pm in 2017. #MVP
— Only In Boston (@OnlyInBOS) January 1, 2017
Martellus Bennett knows that BANANAS = TOUCHDOWNS https://t.co/VPnt8dTyA6 pic.twitter.com/4MjmO5Pg7B
— SB Nation GIF (@SBNationGIF) January 1, 2017
After the Bennett score, wide receiver Michael Floyd found the end zone for the first time as a Patriot and the Patriots found themselves up 14-0 after one quarter of play.
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/815627227740024832
With Tom Brady's touchdown to Michael Floyd, he has now thrown a touchdown pass to 65 different receivers. Let that sink in…#NEvsMIA
— Only In Boston (@OnlyInBOS) January 1, 2017
Tom Brady now has a 27:2 TD to INT ratio this season, tying Nick Foles for the best in NFL history (minimum 20 TDs)
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) January 1, 2017
Six Dolphins failed to tackle Michael Floyd.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) January 1, 2017
In the second quarter, kicker Stephen Gostkowski tacked on two field goals to bring the Patriots lead to 20-0 as the time of possession continued to be owned by New England much to the dismay of Ndamukong Suh.
When you commit a penalty but you're also very much impressed with your own muscular strength. pic.twitter.com/HnRIM7jQez
— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) January 1, 2017
That was the longest drive of the season for the Patriots both in terms of plays (15) and time (8:19).
— Ryan Hannable (@RyanHannable) January 1, 2017
GOODNESS. #Patriots have controlled the offense nearly 21 of the 27 minutes so far. That's insane. And 238-30 yards. https://t.co/XAM1dse8EA
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) January 1, 2017
With 28 seconds to go until halftime, Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore found Jarvis Landry for a touchdown ending an impressive run by the Patriots defense. 20-7 Patriots at the half.
This is the 1st time the @Patriots defense have allowed a touchdown since the 3rd quarter of Week 14. Let that sink in…#NEvsMIA
— Only In Boston (@OnlyInBOS) January 1, 2017
Getting the ball back to start the third quarter, the Dolphins clawed their way back into the game as Matt Moore found Kenny Stills for another six as it was all of a sudden a six point game.
https://twitter.com/nflnetwork/status/815647279839211520
It didn’t take long for the Patriots to answer, as wide receiver Julian Edelman recorded the longest touchdown pass of his career courtesy of one of the biggest blocks of the season by Michael Floyd.
1?1? goes 7?7? yards. ?, @edelman11! https://t.co/10bS0wLwgD
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/TomBradysEgo/status/815649162490429440
https://twitter.com/TomBradysEgo/status/815649162490429440
https://twitter.com/Edelman11/status/816313169278861312
27-14 Patriots with 6:41 to go in the third quarter.
The Dolphins tried to respond again, but the Patriots defense had other plans inside the red zone.
TURNOVER: McCourty punches it out, Shea McClellin picks it up and returns it back inside the Miami 20yd line. HUGE turnover by the defense!
— PatsFans.com (@PatsFans) January 1, 2017
Feels like that was the play the Patriots were waiting for all day. Give up a million yards over the middle, strip one eventually.
— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) January 1, 2017
Shea McClellin brought that ball back 69 yards
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) January 1, 2017
The longest fumble return in #Patriots history: https://t.co/oejSkyA6Dz
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 1, 2017
Now inside the Dolphins 20 following the return, LeGarrette Blount made them pay with his 18th rushing touchdown of the season.
https://twitter.com/chatham58/status/815658414965686272
Blount couldn't drag seven defenders into the end zone. What a slacker.
— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) January 1, 2017
A two point conversation to Julian Edelman saw the Patriots put the game out of reach at 35-14 with five minutes to go in the fourth quarter.
At the games conclusion, Brady added another record to his resume.
Tom Brady: 28 touchdowns, 2 interceptions. That TD/INT ratio is best in #NFL history. Only 2 INT's for #Patriots all year. Shattered record.
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) January 1, 2017
pats w #letsgo @patriots Patriots win! pic.twitter.com/Hz0fObGCaX
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) January 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/JOEL9ONE/status/815678339990089729
Clinched!!
— Shaq Mason (@ShaqDiesel_70) January 1, 2017
What a rookie year it has been! Through all the ups and downs I wouldn't trade it for the world, Love my team!! #PatsNation
— v2 (@TheRealVRVJ) January 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/Mac_BZ/status/815701729241079808
New place. New opportunity. I'm happy to be here. pic.twitter.com/uDYS1Dmnf4
— Michael Floyd (@MichaelMFloyd) January 2, 2017
We running into the playoffs like… pic.twitter.com/neWc8rsrlf
— LeGarrette Blount (@LG_Blount) January 4, 2017
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