Best Of Social Media: Week 17 Dolphins vs Patriots

After back-to-back weeks of heartbreaking losses, the New England Patriots earned a much-needed win in the 2022 season home finale at Gillette Stadium. The 24-21 victory over the Miami Dolphins keeps the Patriots’ playoff chances alive, with a win in Week 18 against the Buffalo Bills sealing the final spot in the AFC.

On offense, quarterback Mac Jones completed 20/33 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns, and rookie wide receiver Tyquan Thornton led all Patriots receivers with 60 yards on three catches and added a touchdown reception. Jones’ other touchdown pass went to Jakobi Meyers who hauled in six receptions for 48 yards. Tight end Hunter Henry also added some big receptions in the contest, logging five receptions for 52 yards.

In the running game, for the first time in weeks, Rhamondre Stevenson and Damien Harris split the workload, combining for 74 yards on 17 carries.

The defense meanwhile, like they have all season long, helped picked up the slack for an offense that has struggled to generate points.

Despite missing three key players in the backfield, safety Kyle Dugger recorded the seventh Patriots defensive touchdown of the season on a 39-yard interception return in the third quarter that proved to be the difference. Cornerback Jonathan Jones recorded a highlight-reel interception of his own in the contest.

“We’re still alive.” center David Andrews said after the game. “It was a tough game, we really fought hard, hats off to them [Dolphins] they had a pretty good game plan coming in and did some things to challenge us. The defense obviously, Kyle, a huge play by Kyle, and then we were able to put that drive together at the end to go ahead. Overall a good team win”.

You can view all of the best social media moments below.

This is it.@McCourtyTwins | #ForeverNE pic.twitter.com/6D49esCAwq

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 1, 2023

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1609614643542249472?s=20&t=sbqZxsDYkhb_PB4u8301qw

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1609617136837857281?s=20&t=sbqZxsDYkhb_PB4u8301qw

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1609622806907715584?s=20&t=sbqZxsDYkhb_PB4u8301qw

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1609641848443916288?s=20&t=sbqZxsDYkhb_PB4u8301qw

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1609644376447414272?s=20&t=sbqZxsDYkhb_PB4u8301qw

This photo is from Sunday, by The @BostonGlobe's Jim Davis. I don't think there's anyone on the local sports scene, regardless of role, who's better at what he or she does than Jim. pic.twitter.com/sdMcpVqhOv

— Bob Socci (@BobSocci) January 2, 2023

King Doug!!!!!!!!!

— Dont'a Hightower (@zeus30hightower) January 1, 2023

Dugg is a playmaker!

— James White (@SweetFeet_White) January 1, 2023

A complete list of players with 3 defensive touchdowns scored this season:

1. Patriots S Kyle Dugger

What a player.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 1, 2023

https://twitter.com/RochieWBZ/status/1609644568328425474?s=20&t=sbqZxsDYkhb_PB4u8301qw

The Patriots have 7 defensive touchdowns in 2022, the most in franchise history and the most by any team since the 2017 Jaguars (who New England beat in the AFC Championship game).#ForeverNE @Patriots

— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) January 1, 2023

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1609647116749795329?s=20&t=sbqZxsDYkhb_PB4u8301qw

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1609650871012585472?s=20&t=sbqZxsDYkhb_PB4u8301qw

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1609653080383180800?s=20&t=sbqZxsDYkhb_PB4u8301qw

https://twitter.com/FTBeard7/status/1609653946318229504?s=20&t=Mk9iPksh3VF_STKk9mgCeA

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A post shared by New England Patriots (@patriots)

https://twitter.com/chris_barmore/status/1609713757566943233?s=20&t=sbqZxsDYkhb_PB4u8301qw

https://twitter.com/SweetFeet_White/status/1609660546718076928?s=20&t=sbqZxsDYkhb_PB4u8301qw

In the New England Patriots last 8 games, Mac Jones has thrown 8 touchdown passes and only 1 interception. Seems decent. #ForeverNE pic.twitter.com/fHiJ4lZIoJ

— Dan Kelley (@DanKelley66) January 1, 2023

Mac Jones and Christian Wilkins hug it out and Matthew Judon is his usual happy self postgame. The Pats beat the Dolphins and stay in the mix for a playoff spot! pic.twitter.com/Bn4bwjctLh

— The Camera Guys (@NBCSCameraGuys) January 1, 2023

All he does is make plays. With #Patriots safety Kyle Dugger on remaining in the playoff mix, his pick 6 and a defense that scores just about every week. pic.twitter.com/BpjsVVjcps

— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) January 1, 2023

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1609678863990403072?s=20&t=sbqZxsDYkhb_PB4u8301qw

https://twitter.com/JoeGiza/status/1609683004015665157?s=20&t=sbqZxsDYkhb_PB4u8301qw