Game story
In Week 17 of the 2012 NFL season on 2012-12-30, the New England Patriots took care of business against the Miami Dolphins, pulling away with a 28–0 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
R. Tannehill (Miami Dolphins) paced the passing game, with -6.60 total EPA, and -4.5% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, T. Brady (New England Patriots) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.54 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-9.9% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Miami Dolphins changed the game: (7:23) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass deep left intended for 86-R.Matthews INTERCEPTED by 28-S.Gregory at MIA 41. 28-S.Gregory to MIA 28 for 13 yards (86-R.Matthews).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Dolphins | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New England Patriots | 7 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 T. Brady · New England Patriots · Passing · +11.54 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
- 2 W. Welker · New England Patriots · Receiving · +7.55 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.63 EPA/play
- 3 S. Ridley · New England Patriots · Rushing · +3.54 total EPA · 21 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
- 4 D. Woodhead · New England Patriots · Receiving · +3.24 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
- 5 D. Woodhead · New England Patriots · Rushing · +2.14 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
- 6 D. Branch · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.14 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.14 EPA/play
- 7 R. Gronkowski · New England Patriots · Receiving · +1.52 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
- 8 J. Lane · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +1.13 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
T. Brady — NE · Passing
T. Brady posted the highest total EPA (+11.54) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on New England Patriots's efficiency. Across 38 counted snaps, they averaged +0.30 EPA per play.
The signature play (-4.91 EPA) came from Miami Dolphins: (4:19) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill FUMBLES (Aborted) at NE 6, RECOVERED by NE-54-D.Hightower at NE 1.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- New England Patriots — W. Welker (T. Brady pass)
- New England Patriots — S. Ridley
- New England Patriots — S. Ridley
- New England Patriots — R. Gronkowski (T. Brady pass)
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 7–0. New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIA 9 (Q1 51:44); New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q1 51:40) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-14-Z.Mesko..
The second quarter: New England Patriots won the period 14–0. New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIA 1 (Q2 40:30) — (10:30) 63-D.Connolly reported in as eligible. 22-S.Ridley up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q2 40:26) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIA 2 (Q2 31:04) — (1:04) 63-D.Connolly reported in as eligible. 22-S.Ridley left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q2 31:00) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-14-Z.Mesko..
The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 7–0. New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIA 23 (Q4 9:25) — (9:25) 12-T.Brady pass deep middle to 87-R.Gronkowski for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q4 9:20) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-14-Z.Mesko..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Miami Dolphins (Q1 52:23) — (7:23) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass deep left intended for 86-R.Matthews INTERCEPTED by 28-S.Gregory at MIA 41. 28-S.Gregory to MIA 28 for 13 yards (86-R.Matthews).
- New England Patriots (Q1 55:01) — (10:01) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 81-A.Hernandez to MIA 36 for 8 yards (58-K.Dansby).
- New England Patriots (Q1 56:43) — (11:43) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass incomplete short right to 83-W.Welker.
- New England Patriots (Q2 43:08) — (13:08) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep middle to 84-D.Branch to MIA 10 for 16 yards (24-S.Smith).
- New England Patriots (Q1 56:49) — (11:49) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass incomplete short left to 81-A.Hernandez.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Miami Dolphins (Q3 19:19) — (4:19) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill FUMBLES (Aborted) at NE 6, RECOVERED by NE-54-D.Hightower at NE 1.
- Miami Dolphins (Q2 36:27) — (6:27) 9-N.Kaeding 41 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
- Miami Dolphins (Q1 52:23) — (7:23) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass deep left intended for 86-R.Matthews INTERCEPTED by 28-S.Gregory at MIA 41. 28-S.Gregory to MIA 28 for 13 yards (86-R.Matthews).
- New England Patriots (Q1 56:43) — (11:43) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass incomplete short right to 83-W.Welker.
Quarterback report card
R.Tannehill led all passers in efficiency for Miami Dolphins, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- R.Tannehill (Miami Dolphins) · 44 dropbacks · 45.5% completion · -4.5% CPOE · -0.15 EPA/play · -6.60 total EPA
- T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 38 dropbacks · 57.9% completion · -2.5% CPOE · +0.30 EPA/play · +11.54 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Miami Dolphins | New England Patriots |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.222 | +0.143 |
| Offensive success rate | 37.1% | 48.9% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.150 | +0.304 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.424 | +0.136 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.143 | +0.222 |
| Defensive success rate | 51.1% | 62.9% |
By the numbers
New England Patriots held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.14 vs -0.22), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Miami Dolphins: 11 drives, -15.52 total EPA, 0 scoring drives
- New England Patriots: 10 drives, +13.13 total EPA, 4 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.
- R. Tannehill (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.
- New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 51:44 · MIA 9 · Score 0-6
(6:44) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 83-W.Welker for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 12-Brady 48th straight regular season game with a TD pass, 2nd longest all-time (U - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 51:40 · MIA 2 · Score 0-7
3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-14-Z.Mesko. - New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 40:30 · MIA 1 · Score 0-13
(10:30) 63-D.Connolly reported in as eligible. 22-S.Ridley up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 40:26 · MIA 2 · Score 0-14
3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-14-Z.Mesko. - New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 31:04 · MIA 2 · Score 0-20
(1:04) 63-D.Connolly reported in as eligible. 22-S.Ridley left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 31:00 · MIA 2 · Score 0-21
3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-14-Z.Mesko. - New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 9:25 · MIA 23 · Score 0-27
(9:25) 12-T.Brady pass deep middle to 87-R.Gronkowski for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 9:20 · MIA 2 · Score 0-28
3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots?
The New England Patriots beat the Miami Dolphins 28-0 in Week 17, 2012 on 2012-12-30.
What was the final score of Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots?
The final score was Miami Dolphins 0, New England Patriots 28 (MIA 0-28 NE) in Week 17, 2012 on 2012-12-30.
What was the score by quarter in Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots?
Q1: Miami Dolphins 0, New England Patriots 7; Q2: Miami Dolphins 0, New England Patriots 14; Q4: Miami Dolphins 0, New England Patriots 7; Final: Miami Dolphins 0, New England Patriots 28.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots?
New England Patriots touchdown — W. Welker (T. Brady pass) (Q1 51:44) New England Patriots touchdown — S. Ridley (Q2 40:30) New England Patriots touchdown — S. Ridley (Q2 31:04) New England Patriots touchdown — R. Gronkowski (T. Brady pass) (Q4 9:25) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots?
R. Tannehill (Miami Dolphins), 45.5% completion, -4.5% CPOE, -0.15 EPA per dropback, -6.60 total passing EPA. T. Brady (New England Patriots), 57.9% completion, -2.5% CPOE, +0.30 EPA per dropback, +11.54 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots?
T. Brady (New England Patriots) led the game in total EPA with +11.54 on passing plays. across 38 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-4.91 EPA): (4:19) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill FUMBLES (Aborted) at NE 6, RECOVERED by NE-54-D.Hightower at NE 1.. The biggest win-probability swing was -9.9%.
Season records after this game
Miami Dolphins
Entered 7-8 Now 7-9 L
New England Patriots
Entered 11-4 Now 12-4 W
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