MIAMI GARDENS — It took a stop on a 2-point conversion and another stop after an onside kick against the lowly New Orleans Saints, but the Miami Dolphins stacked another win to keep miniscule playoff hopes alive.
Running back De’Von Achane rushed for 134 yards and a touchdown, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick went the other way on an interception of a late 2-point conversion and the Dolphins stood tall on a fourth-and-1 sneak in an ugly 21-17 win over the Saints on Sunday afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium.
Miami (5-7), coming back from its bye week, extended its winning streak to three as the team entered the Week 13 slate of games three games out of an AFC wild-card spot.
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was just 12 of 23 for 157 yards and an interception, while Saints rookie Tyler Shough was 26 of 38 for 239 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
Miami’s defense forced two takeaways, plus an additional one on Fitzpatrick’s interception of Shough that he took all the way back to the Saints’ end zone for 2 points for Miami.
As New Orleans trailed, 19-11, Shough threw a 15-yard touchdown to the back of the end zone to wide receiver Devaughn Vele before the pivotal 2-point try. Instead of 19-19 or 19-17, it was 21-17 after Fitzpatrick’s key return as the Saints executed an onside kick. A Dolphins player was said to have touched the kick, allowing New Orleans to retain possession before the ball traveled 10 yards.
But Shough was stuffed by Chop Robinson on a sneak attempt on fourth-and-1 that sealed the outcome. Had Fitzpatrick not picked up the 2 points, New Orleans could’ve lined up for a long game-winning field goal.
After the Dolphins built a 16-0 halftime lead, the Saints got back into it with a touchdown to start the second half.
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Shough threw to Chris Olave, who beat cornerback Rasul Douglas with a double move, for a 17-yard touchdown. The Saints made it a one-possession game, 16-8, when Shough ran in a 2-point conversion.
After the teams exchanged field goals earlier in the fourth quarter, the Saints got the ball back with 3:01 remaining once Dolphins rookie running back Ollie Gordon was stopped for a loss on fourth-and-1.
The Dolphins started the scoring on their opening possession Sunday with Achane, who eclipsed 1,000 yards on the season, taking a carry down the right sideline 29 yards for a touchdown where he had blocks set up for him off pre-snap motion going in that direction.
Early in the second quarter, Fitzpatrick forced a fumble on a strip-sack on Shough and defensive tackle Zach Sieler recovered it.
But Tagovailoa gave it right back on the following play, throwing to Jaylen Waddle in the end zone and intercepted by Saints defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry.
The swap of turnovers occurred between a pair of Dolphins field goals from kicker Riley Patterson, of 39 and 25 yards.
Before the end of the half, Patterson booted a 48-yarder to make the Miami lead 16-0 at halftime.
It was set up by Douglas intercepting Shough as, out on the boundary, he undercut an out pattern by Olave coming from the slot.
Douglas’ return of 38 yards put Miami in New Orleans territory before running a few plays to then run the clock down and spike before Patterson’s kick.
Along with Fitzpatrick’s sack that resulted in a turnover, Chop Robinson had 1 1/2 sacks as he had his first start of the season and second of his career. He split one sack with defensive tackle Zeek Biggers. Veteran edge rusher Bradley Chubb also recorded a sack.
The Dolphins next go on the road against the New York Jets.
This story will be updated.
