New England Patriots guard Cole Strange (69) runs the ball during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

Dolphins survive wild ending to beat Patriots, improve to 2-0

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 9/18/23

The Miami Dolphins survived a late push from the New England Patriots and a wild ending to come away with a 24-17 victory on "Sunday Night Football," improving to 2-0.

With a minute left in the fourth quarter and the Dolphins leading by a score, the Patriots nearly pulled off a miracle to keep their hopes of tying the game alive. Ultimately, the play proved why football is a game of inches.

After a pass from quarterback Mac Jones to tight Mike Gesicki came up short of the first-down marker on fourth-and-four, the former Dolphin lateralled the football to offensive lineman Cole Strange, who rumbled toward the line to gain but was ruled just short by officials after a review, ending the game.

After review, the ball was short of the 1st down, but what an effort by @mikegesicki and @ColeStrange2

: #MIAvsNE on NBC
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FhXtx7w3wW pic.twitter.com/5SXmkF4mh5
— NFL (@NFL) September 18, 2023

The Dolphins held what seemed to be a comfortable 17-3 lead at halftime, but the Patriots stormed back with 14 points in the fourth quarter to make it a game. However, the Dolphins did enough on both sides of the ball to escape with the win.

Miami's 2-0 start is doubly impressive because both victories have come on the road. The Dolphins join the San Francisco 49ers as the only two teams in the NFL heading into Week 3 with two wins away from home.

Tua finds Tyreek Hill for six! #FinsUp

(Via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/UvbUGZzXbn
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 18, 2023

Raheem Mostert takes it to the HOUSE! #FinsUp

: #MIAvsNE on @NBC & @Peacock pic.twitter.com/TFZlSmfeJl
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 18, 2023

While the Dolphins stayed undefeated, the Patriots are 0-2 for the first time since 2001. A winless start might sound like bad news, but Patriots fans would love a repeat of that year.

After dropping their first two games to the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets, starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe went down with an injury and was replaced by some guy named Tom Brady.

Brady led the Patriots to wins in 11 of their next 13 regular season games before a miraculous run to Super Bowl XXXVI, where they defeated the then-St. Louis Rams, 20-17, to kickstart the New England dynasty.

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