Phin Phanatic
FanSided

A Miami Dolphins fan’s favorite Tom Brady memories

By Mike Ferguson

122411 Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Cameron Wake (91) drops New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) after a one yard gain in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. (Allen Eyestone/The Palm Beach Post)Miami Dolphins Vs New England Patriots
122411 Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Cameron Wake (91) drops New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) after a one yard gain in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. (Allen Eyestone/The Palm Beach Post)Miami Dolphins Vs New England Patriots /
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MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 09: Kenyan Drake #32 of the Miami Dolphins runs to the endzone as time expires to score the winning touchdown as they defeat the New England Patriots 34-33 at Hard Rock Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 09: Kenyan Drake #32 of the Miami Dolphins runs to the endzone as time expires to score the winning touchdown as they defeat the New England Patriots 34-33 at Hard Rock Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Another December game in South Florida, another Dolphins victory over Tom Brady and the Patriots.

In a contest that will live in franchise lore, the Dolphins pulled off the “Miami Miracle” on Dec. 9, 2018. At 6-6, the Dolphins were desperate for a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. After a back-and-forth first half, the Patriots appeared to have the game in the bag after Stephen Gostowski’s field goal pushed the lead to 33-28 with 16 seconds left.

With seven seconds left, the Dolphins were down to their last play. Expecting a Hail Mary down the field, New England put tight end Rob Gronkowski back deep.

That would prove to be a pivotal mistake.

From their own 31-yard-line, the Dolphins instead elected to try a series of laterals. Ryan Tannehill’s pass was complete to Kenny Stills. Rather than make the sure tackle on the play, New England’s Jonathan Jones went for the interception, taking himself out of the play.

Stills lateraled to fellow wide receiver De’Vante Parker, who later flipped to running back Kenyan Drake. After key blocks from Danny Amendola, Parker, and Ted Larsen, all that stood between Drake and the end zone was Gronkowski.

As noted by many fans in South Florida, the New England tight end didn’t have the angle. Drake was able to run past him for the game-winning 69-yard touchdown as time expired to give the Dolphins an improbable 34-33 win.

The Dolphins improved to 7-6, but wouldn’t win again in 2018. The Patriots wouldn’t lose again as they went on to beat the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII, 13-3.

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