5-Year Phiniversary: Dolphins Slip Past Pats in First Tagovailoa-Jones Matchup
During their time at Alabama, quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones each quarterbacked their Crimson Tide teams to national championships. In their first meeting on opposing sidelines, however, the two youngsters put on a show.
On this day five years ago, Jones, in his NFL debut for the New England Patriots, put up bigger numbers, but Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins found a way to get the win. Tagovailoa accounted for two touchdowns in the 17-16 win.
Miami’s two touchdowns at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 12, 2021 came to open each of the two halves. After forcing a New England punt on the opening drive, Tagovailoa capped a 10-play, 80-yard drive with a three-yard keeper.
The Patriots scored the next 10 points with Jones’ first career touchdown pass – a 7-yard strike to Nelson Agholor – giving New England its first lead. Miami was able to cash in with a Jason Sanders field goal to end the half and tie the game at 10.
To open the second half, it was another Alabama player – Jaylen Waddle – who put the Dolphins back in front and for good. His 3-yard reception from Tagovailoa capped a 9-play, 75-yard march as Miami took a 17-10 lead.
New England would add two Nick Folk field goals and was driving late to take the lead late. Trailing 17-16, the Patriots took advantage of great starting field position and had worked their way to the Miami 11-yard-line, but running back Damien Harris, another former Alabama standout, fumbled. Xavien Howard recovered for Miami and the Dolphins proceeded to run out the final 3:31.
Tagovailoa passed for 201 yards in the win while Jones finished with 281 yards. Harris led all rushers with 100 yards. DeVante Parker led the Dolphins with 81 yards receiving. Defensively, Miami linebacker Jerome Baker finished with a game-high 12 tackles.
At one point, both Tagovailoa and Jones were expected to be the faces of their franchises moving forward. Neither are currently with the teams that drafted them, but both made a Pro Bowl during their time in the AFC East.
Head-to-head, Tagovailoa went 5-0 in starts against Jones. The first meeting was a 1-point thriller that took place on this day five years ago.
