Dolphins 28–26 Patriots: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 17, 2005

Quick answer

Winner: Miami Dolphins
Final score: Miami Dolphins 28–26 New England Patriots
Halftime: Miami Dolphins 13–10 New England Patriots at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: G. Frerotte
Top passer: G. Frerotte
Biggest EPA play: (:04) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass to 84-B.Watson for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Game date: 2006-01-01

Game summary

The Miami Dolphins beat the New England Patriots 28–26 on 2006-01-01. G. Frerotte posted a game-high +14.88 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 23 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
Miami Dolphins	7	6	5	10	0	28
New England Patriots	7	3	3	13	0	26

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

MIAMiami Dolphins

+1MIA 2

+3NE 18

+3MIA 31

+3MIA 15

NE 15

+1MIA 2

NENew England Patriots

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

16 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

MIAMiami Dolphins
Q1 4:02TD
Ryan Williams
Points+6
Yard line
NE 2
Score
6-0
(4:02) 34-R.Williams up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q1 3:59XP
OMO. Mare
Points+1
Yard line
NE 2
Score
7-0
10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones.
NENew England Patriots
Q1 1:03TD
DBD. Branch
Points+6
Yard line
MIA 11
Score
7-6
(1:03) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass to 83-D.Branch for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
NENew England Patriots
Q1 0:58XP
AVA. Vinatieri
Points+1
Yard line
MIA 2
Score
7-7
4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q2 5:55FG
OMO. Mare
Points+3
Yard line
NE 18
Score
10-7
(5:55) 10-O.Mare 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q2 0:43FG
OMO. Mare
Points+3
Yard line
NE 20
Score
13-7
(:43) 10-O.Mare 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones.
NENew England Patriots
Q2 0:04FG
AVA. Vinatieri
Points+3
Yard line
MIA 31
Score
13-10
(:04) 4-A.Vinatieri 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q3 9:02FG
OMO. Mare
Points+3
Yard line
NE 23
Score
16-10
(9:02) 10-O.Mare 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones.
NENew England Patriots
Q3 4:45FG
AVA. Vinatieri
Points+3
Yard line
MIA 15
Score
16-13
(4:45) 4-A.Vinatieri 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller. NE-4 Vinatieri now has 100 points for the season. He has 100+ points in all 10 of his NFL seasons.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q3 1:28Safety
MCM. Cassel
Points+2
Yard line
MIA 99
Score
18-13
(1:28) 16-M.Cassel sacked at NE -5 for -6 yards (25-R.Howard). FUMBLES (25-R.Howard), ball out of bounds in End Zone, SAFETY. ball went through back of end zone 49th sack of year for Miami, tying team record (1983). 3rd safety of season for Miami, new team record.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q4 9:13TD
MBM. Booker
Points+6
Yard line
NE 15
Score
24-13
(9:13) (Shotgun) 11-G.Frerotte pass to 86-M.Booker for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on MIA-86-M.Booker, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs. MIA-11 Frerotte's 18th TD pass of season, new career high.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q4 9:07XP
OMO. Mare
Points+1
Yard line
NE 2
Score
25-13
10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones.
NENew England Patriots
Q4 6:15TD
TDT. Dwight
Points+6
Yard line
MIA 9
Score
25-19
(6:15) 16-M.Cassel pass to 86-T.Dwight for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 16-Cassel's 1st NFL TD pass.
NENew England Patriots
Q4 6:10XP
DFD. Flutie
Points+1
Yard line
MIA 2
Score
25-20
NE 2-Flutie now at QB. 2-D.Flutie extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton. 1st successful drop kick in NFL since 1941.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q4 2:00FG
OMO. Mare
Points+3
Yard line
NE 24
Score
28-20
(2:00) 10-O.Mare 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones.
NENew England Patriots
Q4 0:04TD
Blake Watson
Points+6
Yard line
MIA 9
Score
28-26
(:04) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass to 84-B.Watson for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1G. Frerotte · Miami Dolphins · Passing · +14.88 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
2M. Booker · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +10.97 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.57 EPA/play
3C. Chambers · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +8.15 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.63 EPA/play
4M. Cassel · New England Patriots · Passing · +7.76 total EPA · 26 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
5Blake Watson · New England Patriots · Receiving · +6.28 total EPA · 2 snaps · +3.14 EPA/play
6Ashtyn Davis · New England Patriots · Receiving · +3.77 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.89 EPA/play
7W. Welker · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +3.35 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.67 EPA/play
8T. Dwight · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.84 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.42 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

G. Frerotte — MIA · Passing

G. Frerotte posted the highest total EPA (+14.88) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Miami Dolphins. Across 43 counted snaps, they averaged +0.35 EPA per play.

G. Frerotte's top snap (+2.82 EPA): (9:48) (Shotgun) 11-G.Frerotte pass to 86-M.Booker to NE 40 for 18 yards (27-E.Hobbs).

Biggest single play (+4.58 EPA): M. Cassel — (:04) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass to 84-B.Watson for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

G. Frerotte led all passers in efficiency for Miami Dolphins, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

G. Frerotte (Miami Dolphins) · 43 dropbacks · 51.2% completion · +0.35 EPA/play · +14.88 total EPA
M. Cassel (New England Patriots) · 26 dropbacks · 42.3% completion · +0.30 EPA/play · +7.76 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Miami Dolphins	New England Patriots
Offensive EPA/play	+0.190	+0.178
Offensive success rate	55.4%	44.2%
Pass EPA/play	+0.346	+0.173
Rush EPA/play	-0.042	-0.134
Defensive EPA/play	-0.178	-0.190
Defensive success rate	55.8%	44.6%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Miami Dolphins +0.19, New England Patriots +0.18) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Miami Dolphins: +0.19 EPA/play (90th percentile vs. 2005 team-game averages)
New England Patriots: +0.18 EPA/play (89th percentile vs. 2005 team-game averages)

Miami Dolphins: 10 drives, +19.22 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
New England Patriots: 11 drives, +13.71 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

Miami Dolphins — Ryan Williams (Q1 4:02)
New England Patriots — D. Branch (T. Brady pass) (Q1 1:03)
Miami Dolphins — M. Booker (G. Frerotte pass) (Q4 9:13)
New England Patriots — T. Dwight (M. Cassel pass) (Q4 6:15)
New England Patriots — Blake Watson (M. Cassel pass) (Q4 0:04)

Field goals

Miami Dolphins — O. Mare (Q2 5:55)
Miami Dolphins — O. Mare (Q2 0:43)
New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri (Q2 0:04)
Miami Dolphins — O. Mare (Q3 9:02)
New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri (Q3 4:45)
Miami Dolphins — O. Mare (Q4 2:00)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NE 2 (Q1 4:02) — (4:02) 34-R.Williams up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q1 3:59) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIA 11 (Q1 1:03) — (1:03) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass to 83-D.Branch for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q1 0:58) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller..

The second quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 6–3. Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the NE 18 (Q2 5:55) — (5:55) 10-O.Mare 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the NE 20 (Q2 0:43) — (:43) 10-O.Mare 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the MIA 31 (Q2 0:04) — (:04) 4-A.Vinatieri 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller..

The third quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 5–3. Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the NE 23 (Q3 9:02) — (9:02) 10-O.Mare 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the MIA 15 (Q3 4:45); Miami Dolphins registered a safety from the MIA 99 (Q3 1:28).

The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 13–10. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NE 15 (Q4 9:13); Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q4 9:07) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIA 9 (Q4 6:15) — (6:15) 16-M.Cassel pass to 86-T.Dwight for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 16-Cassel's 1st NFL TD pass.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q4 6:10) — NE 2-Flutie now at QB. 2-D.Flutie extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton. 1st successful drop kick in NFL since 1941.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the NE 24 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 10-O.Mare 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIA 9 (Q4 0:04) — (:04) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass to 84-B.Watson for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

New England Patriots (Q4 0:00) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 16-M.Cassel pass to 13-B.Childress is incomplete. ATTEMPT FAILS. [WPA -27.1% · EPA -0.95]
New England Patriots (Q4 0:04) — (:04) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass to 84-B.Watson for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +22.0% · EPA +4.58]
New England Patriots (Q3 6:40) — (6:40) 16-M.Cassel pass to 18-A.Davis to MIA 15 for 36 yards (29-S.Madison). [WPA +13.7% · EPA +2.95]
New England Patriots (Q1 11:19) — (11:19) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass intended for 87-D.Givens INTERCEPTED by 30-L.Schulters (29-S.Madison) at MIA 14. 30-L.Schulters to MIA 14 for no gain (87-D.Givens). [WPA -12.4% · EPA -3.46]
New England Patriots (Q3 1:28) — (1:28) 16-M.Cassel sacked at NE -5 for -6 yards (25-R.Howard). FUMBLES (25-R.Howard), ball out of bounds in End Zone, SAFETY. ball went through back of end zone 49th sack of year for Miami, tying team [WPA -12.4% · EPA -1.33]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

New England Patriots (Q4 0:04) — (:04) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass to 84-B.Watson for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +22.0% · EPA +4.58]
New England Patriots (Q1 3:59) — 10-O.Mare kicks 59 yards from MIA 30 to NE 11. 18-A.Davis pushed ob at MIA 24 for 65 yards (31-S.Morris). [WPA +9.1% · EPA +3.64]
New England Patriots (Q1 11:19) — (11:19) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass intended for 87-D.Givens INTERCEPTED by 30-L.Schulters (29-S.Madison) at MIA 14. 30-L.Schulters to MIA 14 for no gain (87-D.Givens). [WPA -12.4% · EPA -3.46]
New England Patriots (Q3 6:40) — (6:40) 16-M.Cassel pass to 18-A.Davis to MIA 15 for 36 yards (29-S.Madison). [WPA +13.7% · EPA +2.95]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q1 4:02 · NE 2 · Score 6-0
(4:02) 34-R.Williams up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q1 3:59 · NE 2 · Score 7-0
10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones.
New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 1:03 · MIA 11 · Score 7-6
(1:03) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass to 83-D.Branch for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 0:58 · MIA 2 · Score 7-7
4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.
Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q2 5:55 · NE 18 · Score 10-7
(5:55) 10-O.Mare 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones.
Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q2 0:43 · NE 20 · Score 13-7
(:43) 10-O.Mare 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones.
New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 0:04 · MIA 31 · Score 13-10
(:04) 4-A.Vinatieri 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller.
Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q3 9:02 · NE 23 · Score 16-10
(9:02) 10-O.Mare 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones.
New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q3 4:45 · MIA 15 · Score 16-13
(4:45) 4-A.Vinatieri 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-J.Miller. NE-4 Vinatieri now has 100 points for the season. He has 100+ points in all 10 of his NFL seasons.
Miami Dolphins Safety (+2) — Q3 1:28 · MIA 99 · Score 18-13
(1:28) 16-M.Cassel sacked at NE -5 for -6 yards (25-R.Howard). FUMBLES (25-R.Howard), ball out of bounds in End Zone, SAFETY. ball went through back of end zone 49th sack of year for Miami, tying team
Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q4 9:13 · NE 15 · Score 24-13
(9:13) (Shotgun) 11-G.Frerotte pass to 86-M.Booker for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on MIA-86-M.Booker, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs. MIA-11 Frerotte's 18th TD pass of sea
Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q4 9:07 · NE 2 · Score 25-13
10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones.
New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 6:15 · MIA 9 · Score 25-19
(6:15) 16-M.Cassel pass to 86-T.Dwight for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 16-Cassel's 1st NFL TD pass.
New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 6:10 · MIA 2 · Score 25-20
NE 2-Flutie now at QB. 2-D.Flutie extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton. 1st successful drop kick in NFL since 1941.
Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q4 2:00 · NE 24 · Score 28-20
(2:00) 10-O.Mare 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones.
New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 0:04 · MIA 9 · Score 28-26
(:04) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass to 84-B.Watson for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Key takeaways

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

Miami Dolphins earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
G. Frerotte (Miami Dolphins) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots on 2006-01-01?

The Miami Dolphins beat the New England Patriots 28-26 in Week 17, 2005.

What was the score by quarter in Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots?

Q1: Miami Dolphins 7, New England Patriots 7; Q2: Miami Dolphins 6, New England Patriots 3; Q3: Miami Dolphins 5, New England Patriots 3; Q4: Miami Dolphins 10, New England Patriots 13; Final: Miami Dolphins 28, New England Patriots 26.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots?

Miami Dolphins touchdown — R. Williams (Q1 4:02) New England Patriots touchdown — D. Branch (T. Brady pass) (Q1 1:03) Miami Dolphins touchdown — M. Booker (G. Frerotte pass) (Q4 9:13) New England Patriots touchdown — T. Dwight (M. Cassel pass) (Q4 6:15) New England Patriots touchdown — B. Watson (M. Cassel pass) (Q4 0:04) Miami Dolphins field goal — O. Mare (Q2 5:55, 3 pts) Miami Dolphins field goal — O. Mare (Q2 0:43, 3 pts) New England Patriots field goal — A. Vinatieri (Q2 0:04, 3 pts) Miami Dolphins field goal — O. Mare (Q3 9:02, 3 pts) New England Patriots field goal — A. Vinatieri (Q3 4:45, 3 pts) Miami Dolphins field goal — O. Mare (Q4 2:00, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots?

G. Frerotte (Miami Dolphins), 51.2% completion, +0.35 EPA per dropback, +14.88 total passing EPA. M. Cassel (New England Patriots), 42.3% completion, +0.30 EPA per dropback, +7.76 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots?

G. Frerotte (Miami Dolphins) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +14.88 total EPA on Passing plays. across 43 snaps. Their top snap (+2.82 EPA): (9:48) (Shotgun) 11-G.Frerotte pass to 86-M.Booker to NE 40 for 18 yards (27-E.Hobbs)..

Was Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots a close game?

Yes — the margin was 2 points. Miami Dolphins won 28-26 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Miami Dolphins

Entered 8-7 Now 9-7 W

New England Patriots

Entered 10-5 Now 10-6 L

Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots: 2005 Week 17 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Dolphins

Top fantasy performers · Patriots

Quick answer

Game summary