Bridgewater injured, no turnovers doom Dolphins in 23-21 loss to Patriots
It's crunch time for the Miami Dolphins and their playoff chances.
The Dolphins (8-7) have lost four games in a row heading into Sunday's game on the road against the New England Patriots (7-8). Mike McDaniel's team can clinch the AFC's final wild card spot with a win and a New York Jets loss in Seattle.
The Dolphins will have to play without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who was diagnosed with another concussion after last week's loss to the Green Bay Packers. Teddy Bridgewater will start for his hometown Dolphins; the last time he was QB1, he lasted one play before being put into the NFL's concussion protocol Oct. 9 at the Jets.
On the other side, Bill Belichick has his Patriots knocking on the door of the postseason despite losing four of their past five games. Mac Jones and the offense have struggled, but the defense has kept them in games all season. Miami is looking to complete the season sweep after beating New England 20-7 to kick off the season.
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3:46 p.m. | Patriots pad lead on Mac Jones TD pass to Jakobi Meyers
The 1-yard score puts New England up 23-14 with 4:37 to play. The 89-yard drive was the Pats' longest of the season. Meyers comes down hard in the end zone.
3:14 p.m. | Pick 6 gives Patriots the lead again, 16-14
Kyle Duggar intercepts Bridgewater and scores. New England misses PAT.
3:09 p.m. | Patriots' field goal cuts Dolphins lead to 14-10
Nick Folk's 49-yard field goal tightens game late in the third quarter.
3:00 p.m. | Dolphins take 14-7 lead on Bridgewater-Mostert pass
Raheem Mostert reception puts Miami ahead for first time on the day with 9:17 left in third quarter. Bridgewater slips tackle and flips to his running back for the score.
2:50 p.m. | Patriots offense brings out boo birds in Foxborough
With Mac Jones and New England struggling against a Dolphins defense ailing in the secondary, the fans of the home team are getting restless. Score remains 7-7.
2:26 p.m. | Dolphins, Patriots tied at 7 at halftime
New England gets the ball to start the second half.
2:05 p.m. | Jason Sanders misses field goal with about 6 minutes left in second quarter
Sanders pushes 51-yard kick wide right and score remains 7-7
1:58 p.m. | Tyreek Hill score a run, not a reception
Hill's score that tied the score was a lateral - and a run - not a reception. No matter, game is tied at 7-7.
1:45 p.m. | Tyreek Hill scores to help Dolphins knot score at 7
Dolphins receiver scores on 2-yard pass from Bridgewater for the score - and celebrates with a flip in the end zone. Thirteen plays, 75 yards on the drive and the game is tied at 7.
1:40 p.m. | Dolphins driving as first quarter comes to an end
Teddy Bridgewater had Miami inside the New England 10 on a drive that included a fourth-down conversion and key passes to Tyreek Hill and Mike Gesicki.
1:28 p.m. | Patriots draw first blood vs. Dolphins to take 7-0 lead
Mac Jones takes advantage of depleted Miami secondary on New England's opening drive, hitting Tyquan Thornton with a 7-yard TD pass, capping a 10-play, 81-yard drive. Noah Igbinoghene in coverage.
11:31 a.m. | Dolphins rocked by stunning injuries before Patriots game
These Dolphins won't play on Sunday at New England:
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (Teddy Bridgewater will start).
Dolphins cleared in Tua situation:NFL, Players Association determine Dolphins properly handled Tua Tagovailoa's concussion
Cornerback Xavien Howard (Kader Kohou, Keion Crossen and Noah Igbinoghene should play).
Left tackle Terron Armstead (Greg Little could start and Kendall Lamm is available).
Backup tackle Eric Fisher.
Pass rusher Bradley Chubb (figure more snaps for Jaelan Phillips, Andrew Van Ginkel and Melvin Ingram).
This puts head coach Mike McDaniel in a tough spot.
The Dolphins have been absolutely decimated by injury at the absolute worst time.
Fullback Alec Ingold is available to play.
11 a.m. | Dolphins vs. Patriots predictions: Who do NFL experts think will win?
Both the Dolphins and Patriots are fighting for their spot in the playoffs. But most national NFL writers and analysts are giving the edge to New England today, largely based on the absence of Tua Tagovailoa.
"With all due respect to (Teddy) Bridgewater, the Miami offense isn't the same with him under center," said one Bleacher Report analyst.
What time is the Dolphins game today?
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
When: 1 p.m. Sunday, January 1
What channel is the Dolphins game on?
TV: CBS, YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial), fuboTV (7-day free trial)
Live stream: NFL Sunday Ticket, Paramount+ (7-day free trial), NFL+ (7-day free trial)
How can I listen to Miami Dolphins game on radio?
Radio: WQAM 560; SiriusXM Channel 382
Online radio: SiriusXM.com (Channel 819)
What's the latest betting line for Dolphins vs. Patriots?
New England is a 2.5-point favorite over Miami, according to Tipico, the oddsmaker for USA TODAY. The over-under is 41 points.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots game score, live updates
