Synchronicity. While the Celtics were in Florida playing the Orlando Magic, the New England Patriots were also in the Sunshine State playing the Miami Dolphins at the same time. I was switching back and forth between the two games as both the C's and the Pats struggled with opponents over whom, at least on paper, they should have romped. Both teams played poorly in the first half, and both returned to form in the second half to win their games.
The Patriots fell behind the Dolphins 13-3 at the half. In that first half, the Patriots had fumbled the ball away on their own 14, leading to a Miami field goal, and on their next possession missed a FG from 22 yards out. And then they went three-and-out on their first possession of the second half.
Fortunately, their fortunes turned around after that. They scored three touchdowns on their next three possessions - a 43-yard passing play from Drake Maye to Kyle Williams, a two-yard rushing TD by Maye, and a 48-yard fourth-quarter passing play to DeMario Douglas that followed a Kevin Byard interception of Miami QB Malik Willis. Twenty-one unanswered points by New England before the Dolphins scored six on a late TD and missed the 1-point conversion to end the game.
When it was all said and done, Maye finished the game with 199 passing yards on 16 of 20 attempts, and made two passing TDs and one rushing TD. Rhamondre Stevenson had 82 yards rushing and DeMario Douglas had 76 yards receiving.
The Patriots improve to 5-3 on the season, still second to Buffalo (6-1) in the AFC East.
Next weekend, the Patriots will host Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers (5-3). Love leads the NFL in passing yards (2,246) and is second in passing yards per game at 280.8. Drake Maye is sixth and 13th in those two categories, although he is tied for third in the league with 8 interceptions (Love has six).
While the Pats will have their hands full with the Packers, they are currently favored by three points.
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