The New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins are currently in a shootout down in South Florida: the Patriots went up twice but the home team came back to re-take the lead twice. The second of New England’s touchdowns saw quarterback Tom Brady set a new record for most combined regular season and postseason touchdown passes in a career — and it was set up by contributions in all three phases.
First, linebacker Dont’a Hightower registered a 9-yard sack of Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill to set up a punt:
Hightower ate Ryan Tannehillpic.twitter.com/ntT2xeKiNl
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 9, 2018
The kick, however, never made it down the field as it was blocked by recently signed Patriots special teamer Albert McClellan and caught by Ramon Humber:
Patriots with the block!
— Pats Pulpit (@patspulpit) December 9, 2018
( @nfl) pic.twitter.com/s7aHuV3eYF
With the Patriots taking over in prime field position, the team needed just five plays to find the end zone for the second time. On 3rd and goal from the 2-yard line, Brady connected with Julian Edelman:
finds for the record.
— Pats Pulpit (@patspulpit) December 9, 2018
( @patriots) pic.twitter.com/J1CPOgWbuo
The touchdown, which came on the same route as the game winner in Super Bowl 49, put the Patriots up 13-7. Miami took the lead again just two plays later, though.