Dolphins Beat NE

Dec 15, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA: Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) reacts after a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Sun Life Stadium. The Dolphins won 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Dolphins found a way to win on Sunday beating their division rivals, the New England Patriots.  It was a typical Miami Dolphins game coming down to the final drive on offense and a big stop on defense.

Following a Miami Dolphins go ahead touchdown in the 4th, the Miami defense gave up a lead changing score to the Patriots.  Miami came back on the arm of Ryan Tannehill to take a four point lead only to see Tom Brady drive to the eight yard line as time ticked below 10 seconds.

While Tannehill will get the kudos for the win, the team may have found a gem in recently signed Michael Thomas.

Thomas was signed this week off the San Francisco 49’ers practice squad and was thrust into an active role on Sunday.  The Dolphins secondary became depleted early when Nolan Carroll and Brent Grimes both went down with injuries.   Carroll tried to return but couldn’t and Grimes didn’t make it back for the final series.

Enter Mike Thomas.

Thomas made three critical plays in his time.   He stopped a Patriot WR from making a first down on one series but nothing compares to the final four plays of the game when Thomas stepped up and took the game in his own hands.

With New England first and ten at the Miami 19, Tom Brady threw to the front corner of the right endzone for WR Danny Amendola.  Amendola made the grab but Thomas knocked the ball out of his hands to negate what would have been the game winning TD.  The Patriots would drive the ball to the Miami eight before Thomas cemented his status with Miami fans.

As the seconds ticked off on 4th and goal Tom Brady’s pass was online for his outside WR but a heads up position on the play put Thomas between Brad and the completion.  Thomas went up for the ball and took down the only turnover on the day.

Thomas was emotional after the play as he was mobbed from the field to the sidelines and on the sidelines you could see he was riding an emotional roller coaster.  His first NFL action of his career and he has a superb game with a game winning interception against one of the best in the NFL.

The win puts Miami for the rest of today in the 6th seed as they await the outcome of Monday nights Baltimore vs. Detroit match-up.  With two weeks to go Miam’s remaining schedule becomes more mental than physical as they will face two teams that have losing records.

The win also puts Miami at no worse than 8-8 on the season and gives Miami their best record since 2008 ending a losing record streak of four seasons.  It also ends a losing streak against the Patriots that dates back to 2009 as well.