October 19, 2003
A Miami Miracle: Mare Misses, Brady Doesn?t
BY: Bob George/BosSports.net
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MIAMI -- Metaphysics at work? Or are the Patriots this special a team?
Don't say the word "special teams" around Dave Wannstedt this week. After the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins traded mistakes for fifty-eight minutes, Olindo Mare suffered perhaps two of the biggest mistakes in his entire career. The end result turned into disaster for the Dolphins, and may propel the Patriots into the Promised Land.
Mare, one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history, had a 35-yard field goal blocked with two minutes left in regulation, then shanked a 35-yarder in overtime to keep things tied and the Patriots in the game. About six minutes later, Tom Brady was able to find Troy Brown on a deep go route for 82 yards and a touchdown, as the Patriots survived a brutal battle with the Dolphins in their crib, 19-13.
The win put the Patriots in sole possession of first place in the AFC East. The win was the first by the Patriots in Miami prior to the month of November in franchise history. The win was pulled off despite two more defensive stars not dressing for the game (Ty Law, Willie McGinest). The win was?
Special. A miracle. And one heck of a panacea for New England fans who are still not yet over Thursday night.
What made this win so special was what the Patriots had to overcome in the process. The Patriots suffered many maladies throughout the game which should have sent them down to defeat, but instead it was Mare's two mistakes which proved decisive.
