Mike Vrabel said Patriots’ win over Dolphins felt like a ‘street fight’

Mike Vrabel’s first win as head coach of the Patriots virtually didn’t occur due to shoddy particular groups tackling.

Miami’s Malik Washington broke sort out makes an attempt from Brenden Schooler and Charles Woods earlier than racing previous punter Bryce Baringer for a 74-yard landing late within the recreation.

However New England’s Antonio Gibson shortly erased Miami’s slim lead with a 90-yard kick return landing of his personal. The Patriots took a particular groups intestine punch and got here again with a haymaker.

“We sadly simply gave up the punt return, however then [we] answered, Gibby answered and that unit answered,” Vrabel mentioned “Felt like we have been prepared to get right into a avenue struggle, had just a little lull, after which we didn’t pack it up and stop.”

The Patriots’ working backs discovered redemption after being shut down by Las Vegas last week.

Rhamondre Stevenson produced a team-high 88 receiving yards, to go together with 54 yards on 11 carries by way of the bottom recreation. Rookie TreVeyon Henderson had a pleasant acquire when Drake Maye hit him on a wheel route. Gibson made an impression within the return recreation.

It was the type of effort that Vrabel informed the Patriots the would wish for a bounce again win.

“I informed you, we needed to have these guys be a weapon for us,” Vrabel mentioned. “And Rhamondre [Stevenson] answered, then Gibby answered. We had the same scenario in observe the place we had a pair dangerous performs, and now we have to maintain happening and snap the subsequent play. Then someone hit a play. A again hit a play. And I’m like, ‘see, it simply takes one play.’”

The Patriots had a number of large performs that contributed to the win. Kayshon Boutte hauled in a tricky landing catch within the first quarter. Marte Mapu made an important interception late within the recreation. Milton Williams closed the sport out with a sack on 4th and 12 on Miami’s remaining drive.

The Patriots had 12 penalties that price them a complete of 75 yards, they usually have been an out-of-bounds footstep on a De’Von Achane landing run that bought referred to as again away from shedding. However, they caught it out and got here away victorious.

“I admire the character, actually don’t should put it to the take a look at on a regular basis with errors and foolish penalties,” Vrabel mentioned. “There’s numerous issues on the market that now we have to do higher. However we didn’t pout, we didn’t drop our head, and we stored competing, and I admire that. Now we have to learn to compete and consider that we will come down right here and win soccer video games and I consider we did.”

Vrabel was requested what he discovered about his group from the shut win towards a division rival.

“That we’re not frontrunners, and that’s an enormous factor on this league,” Vrabel mentioned. “Whenever you play within the NFL, it’s important to be prepared to take some punches, and that’s OK, however it’s important to give greater than you’re taking, as a result of that’s the character of this enterprise. There are professionals on the opposite aspect, there are good gamers on the opposite aspect, there are good coaches. Simply, once more, happy with our group, it’ll all the time be in regards to the gamers, now and perpetually.”

Khari A. Thompson

Sports activities Reporter

Khari Thompson covers skilled sports activities for Boston.com. Earlier than becoming a member of the group in 2022, Khari lined school soccer for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.