New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins: 2014 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2014 NFL season on 2014-09-07, the Miami Dolphins took care of business against the New England Patriots, pulling away with a 33–20 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Brady (New England Patriots) paced the passing game, with -15.21 total EPA, and -8.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, K. Moreno (Miami Dolphins) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +4.83 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-16.9% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Miami Dolphins changed the game: (3:46) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short middle to 11-M.Wallace to MIA 37 for 3 yards (91-J.Collins). FUMBLES (91-J.Collins), RECOVERED by NE-51-J.Mayo at MIA 35.

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 K. Moreno · Miami Dolphins · Rushing · +4.83 total EPA · 24 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Edelman · New England Patriots · Receiving · +4.74 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play
3. 3 S. Vereen · New England Patriots · Rushing · +3.04 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
4. 4 G. Hoskins · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +2.07 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.07 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Brady · New England Patriots · Rushing · +1.36 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.36 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Edelman · New England Patriots · Rushing · +1.08 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
7. 7 B. Gibson · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +0.98 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
8. 8 B. Hartline · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +0.83 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.21 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 — L. Miller (R. Tannehill pass) (Q1 56:52)
• New England Patriots — S. Vereen (Q1 50:15)
• New England Patriots — R. Gronkowski (T. Brady pass) (Q2 38:45)
• Miami Dolphins — M. Wallace (R. Tannehill pass) (Q3 22:01)
• Miami Dolphins — K. Moreno (Q4 3:36)

Field goals

• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q1 46:27)
• Miami Dolphins — C. Sturgis (Q2 32:03)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q2 30:10)
• Miami Dolphins — C. Sturgis (Q3 25:50)
• Miami Dolphins — C. Sturgis (Q3 17:42)
• Miami Dolphins — C. Sturgis (Q4 2:49)

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 10–7. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NE 4 (Q1 56:52) — (11:52) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short right to 26-L.Miller for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q1 56:46) — 9-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIA 2 (Q1 50:15) — (5:15) 34-S.Vereen up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q1 50:10) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the MIA 29 (Q1 46:27) — (1:27) 3-S.Gostkowski 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen..

The second quarter: New England Patriots won the period 10–3. New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIA 6 (Q2 38:45) — (8:45) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 87-R.Gronkowski for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q2 38:37) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the NE 20 (Q2 32:03) — (2:03) 9-C.Sturgis 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the MIA 27 (Q2 30:10).

The third quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 13–0. Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the NE 6 (Q3 25:50) — (10:50) 9-C.Sturgis 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NE 14 (Q3 22:01) — (7:01) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short right to 11-M.Wallace for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q3 21:55) — 9-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the NE 3 (Q3 17:42) — (2:42) 9-C.Sturgis 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields..

The fourth quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 10–0. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NE 4 (Q4 3:36) — (3:36) (Shotgun) 28-K.Moreno up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q4 3:29) — 9-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the NE 9 (Q4 2:49) — (2:49) 9-C.Sturgis 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields..

Turning points

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

• Miami Dolphins (Q1 48:46) — (3:46) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short middle to 11-M.Wallace to MIA 37 for 3 yards (91-J.Collins). FUMBLES (91-J.Collins), RECOVERED by NE-51-J.Mayo at MIA 35. [WPA -16.9% · EPA -5.29]
• Miami Dolphins (Q2 43:06) — (13:06) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass deep left intended for 11-M.Wallace INTERCEPTED by 37-A.Dennard [54-D.Hightower] at NE 6. 37-A.Dennard to NE 6 for no gain (11-M.Wallace). [WPA -12.4% · EPA -3.23]
• New England Patriots (Q3 24:14) — (9:14) 12-T.Brady sacked at NE 34 for -3 yards (91-C.Wake). FUMBLES (91-C.Wake) [91-C.Wake], RECOVERED by MIA-25-L.Delmas at NE 34. 25-L.Delmas to NE 34 for no gain (12-T.Brady). [WPA -10.8% · EPA -4.87]
• Miami Dolphins (Q3 22:01) — (7:01) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short right to 11-M.Wallace for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.2% · EPA +2.01]
• Miami Dolphins (Q2 37:22) — (7:22) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 26-L.Miller right guard to NE 40 for 13 yards (26-L.Ryan). FUMBLES (26-L.Ryan), RECOVERED by NE-24-D.Revis at NE 34. 24-D.Revis to NE 34 for no gain (26-L.Miller). [WPA -9.1% · EPA -3.76]

Impact plays

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

• Miami Dolphins (Q1 48:46) — (3:46) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short middle to 11-M.Wallace to MIA 37 for 3 yards (91-J.Collins). FUMBLES (91-J.Collins), RECOVERED by NE-51-J.Mayo at MIA 35. [WPA -16.9% · EPA -5.29]
• New England Patriots (Q3 24:14) — (9:14) 12-T.Brady sacked at NE 34 for -3 yards (91-C.Wake). FUMBLES (91-C.Wake) [91-C.Wake], RECOVERED by MIA-25-L.Delmas at NE 34. 25-L.Delmas to NE 34 for no gain (12-T.Brady). [WPA -10.8% · EPA -4.87]
• Miami Dolphins (Q2 37:22) — (7:22) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 26-L.Miller right guard to NE 40 for 13 yards (26-L.Ryan). FUMBLES (26-L.Ryan), RECOVERED by NE-24-D.Revis at NE 34. 24-D.Revis to NE 34 for no gain (26-L.Miller). [WPA -9.1% · EPA -3.76]
• New England Patriots (Q4 3:10) — (3:10) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady sacked at NE 10 for -8 yards (91-C.Wake). FUMBLES (91-C.Wake) [91-C.Wake], RECOVERED by MIA-76-A.Johnson at NE 14. 76-A.Johnson to NE 14 for no gain (65-J.Devey). [WPA -1.4% · EPA -3.38]

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) · 65 dropbacks · 44.6% completion · -8.6% CPOE · -0.23 EPA/play · -15.21 total EPA
• R.Tannehill (Miami Dolphins) · 35 dropbacks · 51.4% completion · -5.8% CPOE · -0.09 EPA/play · -3.28 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Miami Dolphins held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.01 vs -0.11), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Miami Dolphins: 14 drives, +1.08 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• New England Patriots: 13 drives, -11.97 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Miami Dolphins leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• K. Moreno (Miami Dolphins) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• T. Brady (NE) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• 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.

1. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q1 56:52 · NE 4 · Score 0-6
   (11:52) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short right to 26-L.Miller for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q1 56:46 · NE 2 · Score 0-7
   9-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
3. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 50:15 · MIA 2 · Score 6-7
   (5:15) 34-S.Vereen up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 50:10 · MIA 2 · Score 7-7
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.
5. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q1 46:27 · MIA 29 · Score 10-7
   (1:27) 3-S.Gostkowski 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.
6. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 38:45 · MIA 6 · Score 16-7
   (8:45) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 87-R.Gronkowski for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 38:37 · MIA 2 · Score 17-7
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.
8. Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q2 32:03 · NE 20 · Score 17-10
   (2:03) 9-C.Sturgis 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
9. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 30:10 · MIA 27 · Score 20-10
   (:10) 3-S.Gostkowski 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen. Penalty on MIA-24-C.Finnegan, Running Into the Kicker, declined.
10. Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q3 25:50 · NE 6 · Score 20-13
    (10:50) 9-C.Sturgis 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
11. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q3 22:01 · NE 14 · Score 20-19
    (7:01) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short right to 11-M.Wallace for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q3 21:55 · NE 2 · Score 20-20
    9-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
13. Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q3 17:42 · NE 3 · Score 20-23
    (2:42) 9-C.Sturgis 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
14. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q4 3:36 · NE 4 · Score 20-29
    (3:36) (Shotgun) 28-K.Moreno up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q4 3:29 · NE 2 · Score 20-30
    9-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
16. Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q4 2:49 · NE 9 · Score 20-33
    (2:49) 9-C.Sturgis 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.