Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots: 2009 Week 9 Recap

Game story

In Week 9 of the 2009 NFL season on 2009-11-08, the New England Patriots took care of business against the Miami Dolphins, pulling away with a 27–17 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 16 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Brady (New England Patriots) paced the passing game, with +11.03 total EPA, and +9.1% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, T. Brady (New England Patriots) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.03 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+21.1% win probability) landed in the third quarter when New England Patriots changed the game: (3:27) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 81-R.Moss for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 81-Moss 140th career receiving TD (ties Owens for 2nd best all-time) and 141st career TD (6th best all-time). NE

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 T. Brady · New England Patriots · Passing · +11.03 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
2. 2 R. Moss · New England Patriots · Receiving · +7.84 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
3. 3 W. Welker · New England Patriots · Receiving · +4.77 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
4. 4 G. Camarillo · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +4.19 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Haynos · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +3.32 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
6. 6 C. Henne · Miami Dolphins · Passing · +3.09 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
7. 7 L. Polite · Miami Dolphins · Rushing · +2.55 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.85 EPA/play
8. 8 B. Watson · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.38 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• New England Patriots — L. Maroney (Q1 51:58)
• Miami Dolphins — R. Williams (Q2 36:17)
• Miami Dolphins — J. Haynos (R. Brown pass) (Q3 19:55)
• New England Patriots — R. Moss (T. Brady pass) (Q3 18:27)

Field goals

• Miami Dolphins — D. Carpenter (Q1 54:40)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q2 39:09)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q2 32:48)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q2 30:01)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q4 1:14)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: New England Patriots won the period 7–3. Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the NE 34 (Q1 54:40) — (9:40) 5-D.Carpenter 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIA 1 (Q1 51:58) — (6:58) 63-D.Connolly and 64-M.LeVoir reported in as eligible. 39-L.Maroney right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q1 51:58) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Ingram, Holder-6-C.Hanson..

The second quarter: New England Patriots won the period 9–7. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the MIA 12 (Q2 39:09) — (9:09) 3-S.Gostkowski 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Ingram, Holder-6-C.Hanson.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NE 15 (Q2 36:17) — (6:17) MIA 6-White now at QB. (Shotgun) 34-R.Williams right end for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q2 36:11) — 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the MIA 20 (Q2 32:48) — (2:48) 3-S.Gostkowski 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Ingram, Holder-6-C.Hanson.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the MIA 16 (Q2 30:01) — (:01) 3-S.Gostkowski 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Ingram, Holder-6-C.Hanson..

The third quarter: New England Patriots won the period 8–7. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NE 1 (Q3 19:55) — (4:55) direct snap to 23-Brown. (Shotgun) 23-R.Brown pass short left to 81-J.Haynos for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN [95-T.Banta-Cain].; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q3 19:51) — 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIA 71 (Q3 18:27); New England Patriots registered a safety from the MIA 2 (Q3 18:15) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 12-T.Brady pass to 81-R.Moss is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 3–0. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the MIA 22 (Q4 1:14) — (1:14) 3-S.Gostkowski 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Ingram, Holder-6-C.Hanson..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• New England Patriots (Q3 18:27) — (3:27) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 81-R.Moss for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 81-Moss 140th career receiving TD (ties Owens for 2nd best all-time) and 141st career TD (6th best all-time). NE [WPA +21.1% · EPA +5.76]
• Miami Dolphins (Q1 55:58) — (10:58) 7-C.Henne pass short right to 81-J.Haynos to NE 39 for 21 yards (30-B.McGowan). FUMBLES (30-B.McGowan), ball out of bounds at NE 39. [WPA +9.5% · EPA +2.52]
• New England Patriots (Q1 58:41) — (13:41) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep middle intended for 81-R.Moss INTERCEPTED by 21-V.Davis at MIA 7. 21-V.Davis to MIA 22 for 15 yards (83-W.Welker). [WPA -7.4% · EPA -2.61]
• Miami Dolphins (Q3 22:18) — (7:18) MIA 7-Henne now at QB. 7-C.Henne pass short left to 83-G.Camarillo to NE 2 for 12 yards (23-L.Bodden, 25-P.Chung). [WPA +7.1% · EPA +2.23]
• Miami Dolphins (Q2 36:17) — (6:17) MIA 6-White now at QB. (Shotgun) 34-R.Williams right end for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +7.0% · EPA +2.45]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• New England Patriots (Q3 18:27) — (3:27) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 81-R.Moss for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 81-Moss 140th career receiving TD (ties Owens for 2nd best all-time) and 141st career TD (6th best all-time). NE [WPA +21.1% · EPA +5.76]
• New England Patriots (Q1 52:45) — (7:45) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep right to 81-R.Moss to MIA 1 for 36 yards (21-V.Davis). [WPA +6.9% · EPA +2.68]
• Miami Dolphins (Q2 38:23) — (8:23) MIA 6-White now at QB. (Shotgun) 6-P.White left end to NE 45 for 33 yards (51-J.Mayo, 95-T.Banta-Cain). [WPA +5.8% · EPA +2.67]
• New England Patriots (Q1 58:41) — (13:41) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep middle intended for 81-R.Moss INTERCEPTED by 21-V.Davis at MIA 7. 21-V.Davis to MIA 22 for 15 yards (83-W.Welker). [WPA -7.4% · EPA -2.61]

Quarterback report card

T.Brady led all passers in efficiency for New England Patriots, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 43 dropbacks · 58.1% completion · +9.1% CPOE · +0.26 EPA/play · +11.03 total EPA
• C.Henne (Miami Dolphins) · 38 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -4.2% CPOE · +0.08 EPA/play · +3.09 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

New England Patriots held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.23 vs +0.11), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Miami Dolphins: 10 drives, +10.14 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
• New England Patriots: 10 drives, +18.72 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• New England Patriots leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• T. Brady (New England Patriots) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• T. Brady (NE) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• C. Henne (MIA) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q1 54:40 · NE 34 · Score 3-0
   (9:40) 5-D.Carpenter 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
2. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 51:58 · MIA 1 · Score 3-6
   (6:58) 63-D.Connolly and 64-M.LeVoir reported in as eligible. 39-L.Maroney right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
3. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 51:58 · MIA 2 · Score 3-7
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Ingram, Holder-6-C.Hanson.
4. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 39:09 · MIA 12 · Score 3-10
   (9:09) 3-S.Gostkowski 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Ingram, Holder-6-C.Hanson.
5. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 36:17 · NE 15 · Score 9-10
   (6:17) MIA 6-White now at QB. (Shotgun) 34-R.Williams right end for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 36:11 · NE 2 · Score 10-10
   5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
7. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 32:48 · MIA 20 · Score 10-13
   (2:48) 3-S.Gostkowski 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Ingram, Holder-6-C.Hanson.
8. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 30:01 · MIA 16 · Score 10-16
   (:01) 3-S.Gostkowski 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Ingram, Holder-6-C.Hanson.
9. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q3 19:55 · NE 1 · Score 16-16
   (4:55) direct snap to 23-Brown. (Shotgun) 23-R.Brown pass short left to 81-J.Haynos for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN [95-T.Banta-Cain].
10. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q3 19:51 · NE 2 · Score 17-16
    5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
11. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 18:27 · MIA 71 · Score 17-22
    (3:27) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 81-R.Moss for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 81-Moss 140th career receiving TD (ties Owens for 2nd best all-time) and
12. New England Patriots Safety (+2) — Q3 18:15 · MIA 2 · Score 17-24
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 12-T.Brady pass to 81-R.Moss is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
13. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 1:14 · MIA 22 · Score 17-27
    (1:14) 3-S.Gostkowski 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Ingram, Holder-6-C.Hanson.