Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots: 2015 Week 8 Recap

Game story

In Week 8 of the 2015 NFL season on 2015-10-29, the New England Patriots took care of business against the Miami Dolphins, pulling away with a 36–7 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

R. Tannehill (Miami Dolphins) paced the passing game, with -10.17 total EPA, and +2.8% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, T. Brady (New England Patriots) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +13.11 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+11.3% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when New England Patriots changed the game: (10:21) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 87-R.Gronkowski for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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 · +13.11 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Lewis · New England Patriots · Receiving · +8.11 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.90 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Edelman · New England Patriots · Receiving · +7.63 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.85 EPA/play
4. 4 R. Gronkowski · New England Patriots · Receiving · +5.69 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.63 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Landry · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +2.68 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Sims · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +2.20 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.20 EPA/play
7. 7 T. Brady · New England Patriots · Rushing · +1.97 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.97 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Amendola · New England Patriots · Receiving · +0.72 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.72 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 — R. Gronkowski (T. Brady pass) (Q1 55:21)
• New England Patriots — D. Lewis (T. Brady pass) (Q2 30:29)
• Miami Dolphins — L. Miller (Q3 26:30)
• New England Patriots — J. Edelman (T. Brady pass) (Q4 13:33)
• New England Patriots — J. Edelman (T. Brady pass) (Q4 7:23)

Field goals

• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q2 33:29)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q3 21:13)

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 47 (Q1 55:21) — (10:21) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 87-R.Gronkowski for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIA 15 (Q1 55:12) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen..

The second quarter: New England Patriots won the period 12–0. New England Patriots registered a safety from the NE 91 (Q2 44:08) — (14:08) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill FUMBLES (Aborted) at MIA 5, ball out of bounds in End Zone, SAFETY.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the MIA 34 (Q2 33:29); New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIA 16 (Q2 30:29) — (:29) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 33-D.Lewis for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIA 15 (Q2 30:24) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen..

The third quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 7–3. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NE 1 (Q3 26:30) — (11:30) (Shotgun) 26-L.Miller right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q3 26:25) — 3-A.Franks extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-4-M.Darr.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the MIA 18 (Q3 21:13).

The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 14–0. New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIA 10 (Q4 13:33) — (13:33) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 11-J.Edelman for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIA 15 (Q4 13:29) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIA 16 (Q4 7:23); New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIA 15 (Q4 7:17) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen..

Turning points

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

• New England Patriots (Q1 55:21) — (10:21) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 87-R.Gronkowski for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.3% · EPA +3.83]
• New England Patriots (Q1 57:07) — (12:07) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 33-D.Lewis to NE 43 for 17 yards (20-R.Jones). [WPA +9.0% · EPA +2.88]
• Miami Dolphins (Q2 35:23) — (5:23) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short right intended for 18-R.Matthews INTERCEPTED by 26-L.Ryan at MIA 40. 26-L.Ryan pushed ob at MIA 39 for 1 yard (18-R.Matthews). [WPA -8.7% · EPA -4.37]
• Miami Dolphins (Q1 53:43) — (8:43) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short left to 18-R.Matthews ran ob at MIA 34 for 15 yards. MIA-70-J.James was injured during the play. [WPA +6.0% · EPA +2.54]
• New England Patriots (Q1 58:14) — (13:14) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 29-L.Blount to NE 41 for 2 yards (31-M.Thomas; 52-K.Sheppard). PENALTY on NE-80-D.Amendola, Illegal Crackback, 15 yards, enforced at NE 39 - No Play. [WPA -5.8% · EPA -1.98]

Impact plays

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

• Miami Dolphins (Q4 14:31) — (14:31) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass deep left intended for 10-K.Stills INTERCEPTED by 30-D.Harmon at MIA 45. 30-D.Harmon to MIA 15 for 30 yards (17-R.Tannehill). [WPA -2.5% · EPA -5.23]
• Miami Dolphins (Q2 35:23) — (5:23) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short right intended for 18-R.Matthews INTERCEPTED by 26-L.Ryan at MIA 40. 26-L.Ryan pushed ob at MIA 39 for 1 yard (18-R.Matthews). [WPA -8.7% · EPA -4.37]
• New England Patriots (Q1 55:21) — (10:21) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 87-R.Gronkowski for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.3% · EPA +3.83]
• New England Patriots (Q4 7:23) — (7:23) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 11-J.Edelman for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 12-Brady 24th career game with 4+ TD passes, 3rd most all-time. NE 12-Brady 19th career game with 4+ TD passes [WPA +0.0% · EPA +3.17]

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) · 50 dropbacks · 56.0% completion · +2.8% CPOE · -0.20 EPA/play · -10.17 total EPA
• T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 45 dropbacks · 57.8% completion · +4.3% CPOE · +0.29 EPA/play · +13.11 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 (+0.15 vs -0.19), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Miami Dolphins: 13 drives, -15.74 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
• New England Patriots: 12 drives, +13.71 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.

Every scoring play

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

1. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 55:21 · MIA 47 · Score 0-6
   (10:21) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 87-R.Gronkowski for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 55:12 · MIA 15 · Score 0-7
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
3. New England Patriots Safety (+2) — Q2 44:08 · NE 91 · Score 0-9
   (14:08) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill FUMBLES (Aborted) at MIA 5, ball out of bounds in End Zone, SAFETY.
4. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 33:29 · MIA 34 · Score 0-12
   (3:29) 3-S.Gostkowski 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen. NE 3-Gostkowski 25th consecutive FG, ties franchise record (Vinatieri)
5. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 30:29 · MIA 16 · Score 0-18
   (:29) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 33-D.Lewis for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 30:24 · MIA 15 · Score 0-19
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
7. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q3 26:30 · NE 1 · Score 6-19
   (11:30) (Shotgun) 26-L.Miller right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q3 26:25 · NE 15 · Score 7-19
   3-A.Franks extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-4-M.Darr.
9. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q3 21:13 · MIA 18 · Score 7-22
   (6:13) 3-S.Gostkowski 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen. NE 3-Gostkowski 26th consecutive FG, new franchise record (Vinatieri 25
10. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 13:33 · MIA 10 · Score 7-28
    (13:33) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 11-J.Edelman for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 13:29 · MIA 15 · Score 7-29
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
12. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 7:23 · MIA 16 · Score 7-35
    (7:23) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 11-J.Edelman for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 12-Brady 24th career game with 4+ TD passes, 3rd most all-time. NE 12-
13. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 7:17 · MIA 15 · Score 7-36
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.