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Blocked field goal, interception, lateral -- and Patriots' offense fails to capitalize on any of it

Sun, Sep 17, 2023
NFL News (AP)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) - A blocked field goal that prevented Miami from taking a three-score lead. An interception that set the Patriots up for what could have been the game-tying drive. Another missed Miami field goal.

And none of it amounted to anything for New England on Sunday night.

The Patriots' offense provided few highlights in a 24-17 loss to Miami that dropped New England to 0-2 for the first time since before Tom Brady took over as the starting quarterback. What's worse: Mac Jones failed to capitalize on big plays by the defense and special teams that kept the Patriots in the game.

The Dolphins already led 17-3 lead late in the third quarter when they lined up for a 49-yard field goal attempt. New England's Brenden Schooler set up to the far right, then sprinted along the line of scrimmage and, when the ball was snapped, swerved into the backfield to snuff out the kick.

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Kyle Dugger picked it up deep in the Miami backfield, and only a quick tackle by Christian Wilkins stopped him from racing to the end zone.

Jones then drove the Patriots to a pair of first downs before lofting a pass toward the end zone, where Xavien Howard got inside position on the receiver and pulled it down at the 3 for the interception.

After forcing a punt, Jones drove New England to the Miami 6 and then found Hunter Henry in the end zone to make it 17-10. But after Christian Gonzalez picked off Tua Tagovailoa, the Patriots went backwards, forcing Bryce Baringer to punt from his own end zone.

On Miami's first play, Raheem Mostert broke through the line untouched and went 43 yards for a touchdown.

New England had one last chance after Miami's Jason Sanders missed a 55-yard field-goal attempt with a seven-point lead and just over two minutes remaining. Jones brought the Patriots to the Miami 33 and connected with tight end Mike Gesicki on a fourth-down pass.

Stopped short of the first-down marker, Gesicki pitched the ball to offensive lineman Cole Strange, who bulled ahead before he was brought down right at the 30. The play was originally ruled a first down, but the replay showed Strange was stopped short of the marker; the Dolphins took over on downs and kneeled out the clock.

The last time the Patriots lost their first two games was in 2001 with Drew Bledsoe at quarterback - coach Bill Belichick's second season in New England. Bledsoe was injured and replaced by Brady in Week 2, and the Patriots went on to win the Super Bowl that season and in two of the next three as well.

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