Phins Win Ends Patriots Regular Season Streak
By Brian Miller
The Miam Dolphins were the last team to beat the New England Patriots, way back in 2006. Today, the Miami Dolphins ended that streak. Along the way, the Dolphins knocked the Patriots off the AFC East top for the first time in over 40 weeks. More incredible was the final score, Miami 38 and New England 13.
By now you know all about the score. You know how the team who only a week before found themselves on the losing end of a route at the hand of the Cardinals. Today, the Phins played flawlessly. Joey Porter backed up his talk with 3 sacks, Randy Starks had an interception, and both Renaldo Hill and Yeremiah Bell dropped 2 other would be interceptions.
The Dolphins came out and won the coin toss, they deferred to the 2nd half. It would be a wise decision. The first series for the Patriots was a 3 and out. The Dolphins followed suit on their first drive. New England would be intercepted by Starks on third and 13 from the Dolphins 16. The Phins would drive the field on the ensuing possession and score their first game leading touchdown of the season.
New England would answer with a field goal but Miami would answer with a touchdown making the score 14-3. Again, the Patriots would answer with another field goal and the Dolphins would take the ball on the following kick off and go 77 yards in 3:55 on 9 plays and put the ball into the end-zone for a half time lead of 21-6.
The Dolphins took that momentum into the 3rd quarter and while they stalled on the opening drive of the 2nd half, it was clear that the Phins would answer the Patriot half-time adjustments.
The real story was Ronnie Brown. Brown scored 4 touchdowns on the ground and one more in the air. Brown was all over the field offensively. Lining up on 3 occasions for scores as the lone “player” in the backfield. Brown would take the direct snap with Ricky Williams in motion and QB Chad Pennington split wide. Brown took the snap up the middle for 3 touchdowns. His lone toss was to Anthony Fasano who also was much more involved than last week.
This week the Dolphins enter their bye week. They take with it a confidence that they have not had in over 2 years. This is not the second win in 22 games, this is their first win in 3 games. The Dolphins are 1-2, one game behind the Jets and Patriots. While one game may not win a season, it is a dangerous thing to give to a young team…confidence that is…because they don’t know they are supposed to lose.
Today, the Miami Dolphins realized that they can win, and did they ever.