WATCH: Patriots linebacker/fullback Elandon Roberts catches first career pass, takes it for a 38-yard touchdown

The New England Patriots need a win over the Miami Dolphins to lock up a first-round playoff bye, but they are certainly not playing the part: the team started slowly into the game and eventually found itself in a 10-0 hole. And while it did tie the contest before the half, it found itself down another touchdown again in the early third quarter. However, the Dolphins’ 17-10 lead did not hold for too long.

Enter Elandon Roberts. The Patriots’ linebacker/fullback hybrid saw considerable action on offense in the first half and also was back on the field in the second — and immediately made a big play when he released on a passing route on a first-and-10. Apparently not seeing him as too big a threat, the Dolphins left Roberts wide open and he made them pay:

Quarterback Tom Brady threw a short pass to the fourth-year man, and he quickly headed up the field and even evaded a would-be-tackler along the way. 38 yards later, Roberts was in the end zone for his first career touchdown — tying the game at 17 and becoming the 77th player to catch a score from the Patriots’ Hall of Fame passer.