Ryan Tannehill, on his own 31-yard line, dropped back for a pass to Kenny Stills. Multiple Patriots surrounded him, but Stills pitched the ball to receiver DeVante Parker as he was falling down.
Stills’ key role in the touchdown came after he dropped a third-down pass that could have extended a fourth-quarter comeback drive on the Dolphins’ previous possession; he responded with a timely, heads-up play in the game’s biggest moment.
“The Miami miracle sounds nice,” Stills said.
Parker pitched to running back Drake, who broke a tackle and looked for another player to pitch for before deciding to turn it back upfield. He outran several Patriots, and the final man between him and the end zone was Gronkowski.
The Patriots likely put Gronkowski back there preparing for a jump-ball situation, but the tight end proved a liability as a tackler as Drake tightroped the sideline running right past him. Gronkowski lost his footing and tripped as Drake galloped into the end zone.
“The way it ended sucked,” Gronkowski said. “I’ve never been a part of anything like that. I feel like it’s going to test our character big-time. I have to make that tackle.”
Hard Rock Stadium erupted in cheers. Drake was mobbed by a host of teammates. Two Dolphins offensive linemen lay on the field simulating snow angles. Patriots players, in shock, walked toward the locker room.
“[There’s] a lot of excitement,” Gase said. “Those guys are fired up.”
Miami has long been the Patriots’ house of horrors, and Sunday might have the most horrifying loss of them all for New England. Miami has now won five of its past six homes games versus the Patriots. Tom Brady is 7-10 against the Dolphins in Miami.
The Dolphins (7-6) prevented the Patriots (9-4) from clinching the AFC East for a 10th consecutive season on their home field. They also moved into a tie for 6th place with Baltimore, Indianapolis and Tennessee for the No. 6 AFC playoff spot.
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