New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins: 2008 Week 12 Recap

Game story

In Week 12 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-11-23, the New England Patriots took care of business against the Miami Dolphins, pulling away with a 48–28 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Cassel (New England Patriots) paced the passing game, with +21.93 total EPA, and +10.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Cassel (New England Patriots) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +21.93 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-14.4% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when New England Patriots changed the game: (7:22) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass deep right intended for 81-R.Moss INTERCEPTED by 24-R.Hill (32-J.Allen) at MIA 41. 24-R.Hill ran ob at NE 42 for 17 yards. Penalty on MIA-37-Y.Bell, Personal Foul, of

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 M. Cassel · New England Patriots · Passing · +21.93 total EPA · 47 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
2. 2 R. Moss · New England Patriots · Receiving · +15.63 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.95 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Pennington · Miami Dolphins · Passing · +11.90 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Bess · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +8.55 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.71 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Gaffney · New England Patriots · Receiving · +8.44 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.69 EPA/play
6. 6 W. Welker · New England Patriots · Receiving · +8.23 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play
7. 7 G. Camarillo · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +6.75 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.13 EPA/play
8. 8 T. Ginn · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +5.14 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.03 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

• Miami Dolphins — G. Camarillo (C. Pennington pass) (Q1 50:29)
• New England Patriots — M. Cassel (Q2 45:00)
• Miami Dolphins — C. Pennington (Q2 35:16)
• New England Patriots — R. Moss (M. Cassel pass) (Q2 32:24)
• Miami Dolphins — C. Cramer (C. Pennington pass) (Q3 26:35)
• New England Patriots — R. Moss (M. Cassel pass) (Q3 21:19)
• New England Patriots — K. Faulk (Q3 15:08)
• Miami Dolphins — R. Williams (C. Pennington pass) (Q4 13:19)
• New England Patriots — R. Moss (M. Cassel pass) (Q4 8:59)
• New England Patriots — B. Green-Ellis (Q4 0:40)

Field goals

• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q1 55:13)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q4 7:12)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 7–3. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the MIA 12 (Q1 55:13) — (10:13) (Field Goal formation) 3-S.Gostkowski 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NE 3 (Q1 50:29) — (5:29) 10-C.Pennington pass short middle to 83-G.Camarillo for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q1 50:23) — (Kick formation) 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields..

The second quarter: New England Patriots won the period 14–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIA 8 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q2 44:54) — (Kick formation) 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NE 7 (Q2 35:16) — (5:16) 10-C.Pennington scrambles left end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q2 35:05) — (Kick formation) 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 25 (Q2 32:24) — (2:24) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short right to 81-R.Moss for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q2 32:14) — (Kick formation) 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson..

The third quarter: New England Patriots won the period 14–7. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NE 2 (Q3 26:35) — (11:35) 10-C.Pennington pass short right to 30-C.Cramer for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q3 26:28) — (Kick formation) 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 8 (Q3 21:19) — (6:19) 16-M.Cassel pass short right to 81-R.Moss for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q3 21:12) — (Kick formation) 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIA 21 (Q3 15:08) — (:08) (Shotgun) 33-K.Faulk up the middle for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q3 15:00) — (Kick formation) 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson..

The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 17–7. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NE 13 (Q4 13:19) — (13:19) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-C.Pennington pass short right to 34-R.Williams for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q4 13:11) — (Kick formation) 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 29 (Q4 8:59); New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q4 8:52) — (Kick formation) 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the MIA 13 (Q4 7:12); New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIA 1 (Q4 0:40) — (:40) 42-B.Green-Ellis left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q4 0:37) — (Kick formation) 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson..

Turning points

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

• New England Patriots (Q1 52:22) — (7:22) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass deep right intended for 81-R.Moss INTERCEPTED by 24-R.Hill (32-J.Allen) at MIA 41. 24-R.Hill ran ob at NE 42 for 17 yards. Penalty on MIA-37-Y.Bell, Personal Foul, of [WPA -14.4% · EPA -4.19]
• New England Patriots (Q3 15:52) — (:52) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short left to 83-W.Welker pushed ob at MIA 21 for 64 yards (33-N.Jones) [55-J.Porter]. [WPA +14.3% · EPA +4.97]
• Miami Dolphins (Q4 13:52) — (13:52) (Shotgun) 10-C.Pennington pass short right to 15-D.Bess to NE 13 for 36 yards (29-L.Sanders). [WPA +13.8% · EPA +3.05]
• New England Patriots (Q2 42:23) — (12:23) 34-S.Morris left tackle to MIA 27 for 1 yard (98-M.Roth, 52-C.Crowder). FUMBLES (98-M.Roth), RECOVERED by MIA-21-A.Goodman at MIA 28. 21-A.Goodman to MIA 28 for no gain (81-R.Moss). [WPA -12.8% · EPA -4.93]
• New England Patriots (Q3 22:35) — (7:35) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short middle to 81-R.Moss to MIA 24 for 15 yards (32-J.Allen) [37-Y.Bell]. Penalty on MIA-32-J.Allen, Defensive Holding, declined. [WPA +12.4% · EPA +2.42]

Impact plays

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

• Miami Dolphins (Q4 8:49) — (8:49) 10-C.Pennington pass deep left intended for 80-A.Fasano INTERCEPTED by 31-B.Meriweather at MIA 37. 31-B.Meriweather to MIA 18 for 19 yards (88-D.Martin). MIA-83-G.Camarillo was injured during t [WPA -6.6% · EPA -5.27]
• New England Patriots (Q3 15:52) — (:52) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short left to 83-W.Welker pushed ob at MIA 21 for 64 yards (33-N.Jones) [55-J.Porter]. [WPA +14.3% · EPA +4.97]
• New England Patriots (Q2 42:23) — (12:23) 34-S.Morris left tackle to MIA 27 for 1 yard (98-M.Roth, 52-C.Crowder). FUMBLES (98-M.Roth), RECOVERED by MIA-21-A.Goodman at MIA 28. 21-A.Goodman to MIA 28 for no gain (81-R.Moss). [WPA -12.8% · EPA -4.93]
• New England Patriots (Q1 52:22) — (7:22) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass deep right intended for 81-R.Moss INTERCEPTED by 24-R.Hill (32-J.Allen) at MIA 41. 24-R.Hill ran ob at NE 42 for 17 yards. Penalty on MIA-37-Y.Bell, Personal Foul, of [WPA -14.4% · EPA -4.19]

Quarterback report card

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

• M.Cassel (New England Patriots) · 47 dropbacks · 63.8% completion · +10.0% CPOE · +0.47 EPA/play · +21.93 total EPA
• C.Pennington (Miami Dolphins) · 44 dropbacks · 54.5% completion · -1.0% CPOE · +0.27 EPA/play · +11.90 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, New England Patriots generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.37 vs +0.09), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Miami Dolphins: 12 drives, +7.88 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
• New England Patriots: 11 drives, +32.92 total EPA, 8 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.
• M. Cassel (New England Patriots) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Cassel (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 FG (+3) — Q1 55:13 · MIA 12 · Score 3-0
   (10:13) (Field Goal formation) 3-S.Gostkowski 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.
2. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q1 50:29 · NE 3 · Score 3-6
   (5:29) 10-C.Pennington pass short middle to 83-G.Camarillo for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q1 50:23 · NE 2 · Score 3-7
   (Kick formation) 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
4. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · MIA 8 · Score 9-7
   (15:00) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 44:54 · MIA 2 · Score 10-7
   (Kick formation) 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.
6. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 35:16 · NE 7 · Score 10-13
   (5:16) 10-C.Pennington scrambles left end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 35:05 · NE 2 · Score 10-14
   (Kick formation) 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
8. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 32:24 · MIA 25 · Score 16-14
   (2:24) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short right to 81-R.Moss for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 32:14 · MIA 2 · Score 17-14
   (Kick formation) 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.
10. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q3 26:35 · NE 2 · Score 17-20
    (11:35) 10-C.Pennington pass short right to 30-C.Cramer for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q3 26:28 · NE 2 · Score 17-21
    (Kick formation) 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
12. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 21:19 · MIA 8 · Score 23-21
    (6:19) 16-M.Cassel pass short right to 81-R.Moss for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q3 21:12 · MIA 2 · Score 24-21
    (Kick formation) 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.
14. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 15:08 · MIA 21 · Score 30-21
    (:08) (Shotgun) 33-K.Faulk up the middle for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q3 15:00 · MIA 2 · Score 31-21
    (Kick formation) 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.
16. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q4 13:19 · NE 13 · Score 31-27
    (13:19) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-C.Pennington pass short right to 34-R.Williams for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q4 13:11 · NE 2 · Score 31-28
    (Kick formation) 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
18. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 8:59 · MIA 29 · Score 37-28
    (8:59) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass deep left to 81-R.Moss for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on MIA-21-A.Goodman, Defensive Pass Interference, declined.
19. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 8:52 · MIA 2 · Score 38-28
    (Kick formation) 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.
20. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 7:12 · MIA 13 · Score 41-28
    (7:12) 3-S.Gostkowski 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson. Penalty on MIA-52-C.Crowder, Disqualification, offsetting. Penalty on N
21. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 0:40 · MIA 1 · Score 47-28
    (:40) 42-B.Green-Ellis left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
22. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 0:37 · MIA 2 · Score 48-28
    (Kick formation) 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.