Dolphins hold on to spoil Chargers' LA debut, 19-17

 The Miami Dolphins felt they had won one for hurricane-ravaged South Florida in their belated season opener.

Cody Parkey hit his fourth field goal from 54 yards with 1:05 to play, and the Dolphins rallied in the fourth quarter to spoil the Los Angeles Chargers' home opener with a 19-17 victory Sunday.

Younghoe Koo missed a 44-yard field goal attempt with 5 seconds left after Philip Rivers maneuvered the Chargers (0-2) into scoring range in the final minute before a crowd of 25,381 in their first home game since relocating to the Los Angeles area after 56 seasons in San Diego.

Jay Cutler passed for 230 yards and Jay Ajayi rushed for 122 for the Dolphins, who spent the past nine days in California after leaving Miami early to avoid Hurricane Irma.

With "ONE FLORIDA" decals on their helmets and their hometown in their hearts, the Dolphins grinded through a tight game and then celebrated wildly when Koo pushed his kick barely right.

"I think adversity shows character, and here we are," Miami defensive end Cameron Wake said. "It definitely has been a crazy past few days. Every so often, something happens that puts things in perspective. Football takes a back seat for a while, but once we weathered the storm and got out ... we were just trying to get back to normal."

The Dolphins were well-rested after their home opener against Tampa Bay was postponed, leaving them to play their latest season opener since 1977. Parkey still did most of the Dolphins' scoring, connecting from 30, 28 and 35 yards before burying his longest kick in the waning moments.

Kenny Stills caught a 29-yard TD pass in the third quarter from Cutler, who went 24 of 33 without an interception in his Dolphins debut.

"There's definitely an edge to this team," said Cutler, who came out of retirement to take over for injured Ryan Tannehill. "This team doesn't get down. It just bounces right back."

Rivers passed for 331 yards, and Antonio Gates set an NFL record with his 112th touchdown reception as a tight end, breaking his tie with Tony Gonzalez.

The dynamic duo couldn't prevent the Chargers from taking yet another agonizing loss: They've dropped 11 games by eight points or fewer since the start of last season, three more than any other NFL team.

"I believe we will figure out how to win these close games," said Anthony Lynn, whose first head coaching victory will have to wait at least another week.

Melvin Gordon scored the Chargers' first touchdown in their new home from 1 yard in the second quarter.

THE FINISH

Parkey's 35-yard field goal trimmed Los Angeles' lead to one point with 6:28 to play, and Miami's defense held. The Dolphins got the ball back near midfield with 3:02 left and set up another big kick from Parkey, the Jupiter, Florida, native claimed off waivers two weeks ago.

Rivers and the Chargers moved 54 yards in 52 seconds to set up Koo, whose potential game-tying field goal was blocked in Denver last week.

The undrafted rookie kicker beat out maligned Josh Lambo for this job in the preseason, but he missed two more field goals against the Dolphins.

"Losing two tough ones down at the buzzer, we can be sick about it for a little while," Rivers said. "But we've got a division opponent (Kansas City) coming in here that isn't going to feel any sympathy. We've got to be ready to go."

NEW CITY

The Chargers' latest last-minute loss dampened the festivities around a fresh start for the franchise, which brought five members of its inaugural 1960 Los Angeles Chargers to its temporary home at 27,000-seat StubHub Center, which was packed with a lively mix of both opponents' fans - just like at most games in San Diego in recent years.

ABSENCES

Dolphins: LB Lawrence Timmons was inactive after unexpectedly leaving the team during the weekend. He was expected to start this season for the Dolphins, who signed him to a $12 million deal after he spent the past 10 years with Pittsburgh.

Chargers: Starting CB Jason Verrett was unable to play because of pain in his surgically repaired knee.

UP NEXT

Dolphins: After traveling home for a week of practice at their undamaged training complex in Davie, they'll travel to New York to face the Jets.

Chargers: A three-game homestand continues with that visit from the Chiefs, who have beaten their AFC West rivals six straight times.

Ajayi rushes for 214 yards to help Miami beat Bills 28-25

As the NFL's newest rushing star, Jay Ajayi is carrying the Miami Dolphins toward respectability.

Ajayi tied a league record by surpassing 200 yards rushing for the second game in a row, helping Miami rally past the Buffalo Bills 28-25 Sunday.

Ajayi rushed for 214 yards in 29 carries after totaling 204 yards a week earlier in a win over Pittsburgh. He scored on a 4-yard run , and busted a 53-yarder when the Dolphins were pinned at their 3 and trailing in the fourth quarter.

The Dolphins (3-4) used an extra lineman much of the time to clear big holes for Ajayi, who tied the record for consecutive 200-yard games held by O.J. Simpson, Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams.

"It's surreal to me," Ajayi said. "The backs I'm in company with - that's huge. Those are Hall of Fame guys, guys I look up to."

Two weeks ago the Dolphins appeared strong contenders for the No. 1 draft pick in 2017, and the discovery of a ground game has revived their season under first-year coach Adam Gase.

"I know this - every time No. 23 kept getting the ball, he was popping a run," Gase said. "I was leaning on him."

Miami overcame an 11-point deficit with 16 minutes left to end a four-game winning streak by the Bills (4-3) and beat them for only the second time in their past seven meetings.

"We got outplayed, we got outcoached, we got out-everythinged," Buffalo coach Rex Ryan said. "They were the more physical team today, there's no doubt about that. They controlled the game."

With Ajayi briefly sidelined by cramps, Damien Williams carried half the Bills' weary defense into the end zone on a 12-yard touchdown run that put the Dolphins ahead with 3:56 to go. On their next possession, Ryan Tannehill hit Kenny Stills for a 66-yard score that made it 28-17.

The Dolphins recovered an onside kick with 13 seconds left to seal the victory.

Tyrod Taylor threw long to Marquise Goodwin for a 67-yard touchdown that put the Bills up 17-6 midway through the third quarter. The Dolphins responded with a 75-yard drive for their first touchdown, and scored 22 points in the final 15:18.

EMERGING STAR: Ajayi, a second-year pro from Boise State, is the only NFL rusher with a 200-yard game this year. He ran for 187 yards as a rookie and totaled 117 in Miami's first five games this year before his breakout.

"The kid made some good runs, ran through some tackles," Ryan said. "He did a great job bouncing and cutting it back."

GIMPY McCOY: While Miami's ground game clicked, Bills running back LeSean McCoy left in the third quarter after he aggravated a left hamstring injury.

McCoy, ranked second in the NFL in rushing, had been questionable after hurting himself in practice Wednesday. He said he felt great in warmups and started the game, but the injury began to bother him in the second half.

"I tried to take off and felt a little pain, and it just didn't feel right," McCoy said. "I came out, that's the smart thing. I didn't want to reinjure anything."

McCoy totaled 11 yards in eight carries.

ILLEGAL HIT: Bills safety Aaron Williams missed the second half with a head and neck injury when blocked illegally by receiver Jarvis Landry, who was flagged for unnecessary roughness.

Landry led with his shoulder, launched into Williams and hit him high. Williams remained on his back for a couple of minutes before he slowly rose and was led to the locker room.

When asked if the hit was dirty, Landry said, "Call it what you want. It's football."

Williams was still under observation after the game, Ryan said. The veteran safety missed most of last season when he underwent neck surgery following an injury that threatened his career.

EDGE IN STATS: The Dolphins outgained Buffalo 454 yards to 267 and had a 14-minute edge in time of possession, but were hurt by 13 penalties for 116 yards.

NOTES: Goodwin was hurt on an incompletion late in the game and went into the concussion protocol. Dolphins S Isa Abdul-Quddus suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter. ... The Bills' Lorenzo Alexanderhad a sack for the seventh game in a row. ... Bills LB Shaq Lawson, their first-round draft pick, made his NFL debut after recovering from shoulder surgery and had one tackle in limited action.

Dolphins stop Big Ben and beat Steelers 30-15

The Miami Dolphins left Ben Roethlisberger limping, and the rest of the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't look much better.

Roethlisberger missed one series because of a left knee injury and was held to 189 yards passing, and Miami won 30-15 Sunday.

Jay Ajayi rushed for 204 yards and two scores on 25 carries for the Dolphins (2-4).

"No need to sugarcoat," Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said. "We got beat soundly."

The Steelers (4-2) had scored 74 points in their previous two games, but were outgained 474-297. Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill said he was buoyed to see two Pittsburgh defenders become sick to their stomach late in the first half as players dealt with the 80-degree heat.

"It's definitely a glimpse of what we can do," Tannehill said. "Now we just have to show up every week like this."

Roethlisberger finished 19 for 34 with two interceptions. He hobbled to the locker room and missed one series late in the second quarter when he hyperextended his knee scrambling on a play that resulted in an interception by Reshad Jones.

After the game, Roethlisberger had ice on both knees and a bruise in the middle of his back. An MRI on his knee was planned.

"It happened before I threw the ball," Roethlisberger said. "I felt something funny in my knee. We'll pray it's nothing too serious."

Roethlisberger also tweaked his right knee on the Steelers' final play.

He had only 83 yards passing with 5 minutes left before he drove Pittsburgh 97 yards for a touchdown that made it 23-15. Miami recovered the ensuing onside kick, and on the next play Ajayi scored on a 62-yard run.

Pittsburgh's only other touchdown came in the first quarter when Darrius Heyward-Bey scored on a 60-yard end around. Antonio Brown, the NFL's leading receiver, was held to four receptions for 39 yards. TeammateSammie Coates, playing with a hand injury, didn't have a catch.

The Dolphins were one-touchdown underdogs at home, but the score could have been more lopsided had they not repeatedly squandered chances in the red zone. They had a 13-minute advantage in time of possession in the biggest win yet for first-year coach Adam Gase.

"I think what today proved to a lot of our guys and coaches what you possibly could be," Gase said. "But this league is week to week. Once we hit next Sunday, nobody is going to care about what we did this week."

GOOD BLOCKING

The Dolphins started the game with their top five offensive linemen on the field together for the first time this year. How much difference did that make?

"You tell me," Gase said. "A lot, right? It makes a big difference when we have holes and the quarterback is not on his back."

The Steelers failed to sack Tannehill after he was taken down six times a week earlier against Tennessee. Second-year pro Ajayi took advantage by surpassing 100 yards rushing for the first time.

TANNEHILL'S DAY

Tannehill, booed by fans a week ago, drew only cheers while going 24 for 32 for 252 yards, including a pair of long throws.

He slipped from the grasp of 352-pound Daniel McCullers to throw a 53-yard pass to MarQueis Gray that set up a field goal. Tannehill's 39-yard pass to Jarvis Landry set up Miami's first touchdown with 21 seconds left in the first half for a 16-8 lead.

DIVIDED ALLEGIANCES?

The crowd appeared evenly divided early, with many fans waving yellow towels for every play that went the visitors' way. But as Miami pulled away in the second half, it seemed the entire stadium was singing the Dolphins fight song.

MISSED CHANCES

Twice Miami settled for a field goal after it appeared Tannehill had thrown a touchdown pass. DeVante Parkerdropped a throw in the end zone, and a TD catch by Dominque Jones was negated by a penalty for illegal formation.

Andrew Franks kicked three field goals, but missed a 50-yarder and had a 24-yarder blocked.

INJURY REPORT

Dolphins: CB Tony Lippett left with a hamstring injury. TE Dion Sims was evaluated for a possible concussion.

Mariota throws for 3 scores to help Titans beat Miami 30-17

 Marcus Mariota did everything but sack Ryan Tannehill, leaving that task for his teammates with the Tennessee Titans.

Mariota threw for three touchdowns and ran for another score, complementing a defense that sacked Tannehill six times to help Tennessee beat the reeling Miami Dolphins 30-17 Sunday.

Mariota bounced back with a strong game after totaling three interceptions and no TD passes in losses the past two weeks. He went 20 for 29 for 163 yards with no interceptions and no sacks, and ran seven times for 60 yards.

"I saw some open lanes and just ran," he said.

DeMarco Murray added 121 yards rushing for the Titans, who totaled 235 on the ground for their highest total since 2009, according to Pro Football Reference. They improved to 2-3, and Miami fell to 1-4.

Tannehill and the Dolphins offense turned in another woeful performance aside from the occasional long gain. RookieJakeem Grant scored on a 74-yard punt return , Damien Williams had a 55-yard, catch-and-run to set up a touchdown, and DeVante Parker made a 50-yard reception that led to a field goal.

But by the second quarter, the crowd was booing Tannehill. By the fourth, fans were chanting for his replacement, Matt Moore, who hasn't started a game since 2011.

"Do I like it? No," Tannehill said. "But it doesn't affect how I play or how I think about myself."

First-year coach Adam Gase stood firm by the fifth-year quarterback.

"He's not coming out," Gase said. "You can ask me 100 times. He's going to be in there the rest of the season."

But Gase acknowledged serious issues on offense.

"We're inept right now," Gase said. "We can't get out of our own way."

It didn't help that the Dolphins were without both starters on the left side of their offensive line, and the Titans took advantage while doubling their season sack total. Brian Orakpo had two sacks to increase his season total to six, and Derrick Morgan and Jurrell Casey added two apiece.

The Titans' Jason McCourty yanked a pass away from Parker for an interception to set up a field goal.

Mariota directed touchdown drives of 61, 76, 75 yards and 66 yards. He scored his first rushing touchdown of the year on a 5-yard keeper , and threw for scores of 5 yards to Andre Johnson, 20 yards to Delanie Walkerand 4 yards to former Dolphin Rishard Matthews.

Miami, by contrast, totaled eight first downs. Tannehill finished 12 for 18 for 191 yards with two interceptions.

GROUND GAME

Mariota repeatedly hurt the Dolphins with his running. He scrambled 21 yards to set up the Titans' third touchdown, and converted a third down with a 19-yard scramble in the fourth quarter when his team was nursing a seven-point lead.

"He's a very dangerous guy back there," Murray said.

Murray repeatedly hurt Miami on the flank and increased his season rushing total to 461 yards, putting him on pace for 1,475 yards.

The stout ground game helped the Titans control the ball for nearly 37 minutes.

STILL PERFECT

Johnson improved to 8-0 against the Dolphins and scored his second touchdown of the year.

FAST START

The Titans, who had been outscored 30-9 in the first quarter this year, scored a TD in the opening period for the first time.

MIAMI BIG PLAYS

The Dolphins trailed in yards 195-26 late in the first half but were still in the game thanks to Grant. The rookie scored his first NFL touchdown by eluding five tacklers, including Kevin Byard after fielding the kick.

The Titans fired special teams coach Bobby April on Monday, one day after they gave up a 67-yard punt return for a TD.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Titans play Cleveland next Sunday in the first of three consecutive home games. The Dolphins continue a four-game homestand when they play Pittsburgh.

A.J. Green has big game as Bengals dominate Dolphins 22-7

For most of the game, A.J. Green piled up more yards than the entire Miami Dolphins offense in a virtuoso performance. As an encore, he thrilled the crowd by juggling some Florida citrus.

The Bengals receiver followed his disappointing game with a dominating one - 173 yards and a touchdown - and a Cincinnati defense that was inspired byVontaze Burfict's return clamped down on the Dolphins for a 22-7 victory Thursday night.

The Bengals (2-2) rebounded from a 29-17 home loss to Denver on Sunday with a solid all-around game against a depleted team.

Green led the way, beating the Dolphins (1-3) on every type of route . He was upset with himself after he dropped a pivotal third-down pass and failed to make an impact against the Broncos.

"I hold myself to a very high standard," said Green, who had 10 catches. "I know what I'm capable of. Last week I didn't perform to that level. I had to refocus on a short week."

During the first three quarters, Green had 166 yards on catches while Miami had 152 total yards. The Bengals' season-long problem of stalling out near the goal line forced them to settle for Mike Nugent's season-high five field goals.

Afterward, Green and Andy Dalton appeared on the postgame show, and the receiver entertained the dozens of Bengals fans who stayed around by smoothly juggling three oranges at the interview desk.

"Any time he was one-on-one, he was able to make the play," Dalton said.

The Dolphins were missing four starting offensive linemen, two linebackers, running back Arian Foster and tight end Jordan Cameron. They had one big play - Ryan Tannehill threw a 74-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Stills - but couldn't do anything else on offense.

"We've got to get it fixed and quick, and by that I mean Monday," Tannehill said. "We're kind of in a dark spot right now. It's squarely on our shoulders."

The Bengals' defense expected to get a lift from Burfict's return. The volatile linebacker was suspended by the NFL for the first three games because of his illegal hits. He got a loud ovation when he ran onto the field during introductions wearing a baseball cap. Burfict knocked down a pass and had three tackles.

"He's amazing," end Carlos Dunlap said. "Did you see the plays he made? Those aren't plays you can coach. He came off his couch and played great. It's good to have him back."

Mostly, it was Green's show. He caught a 51-yard pass off Dalton's scramble in the first half, and had a 43-yard catch that set up another field goal in the third quarter for a 19-7 lead.

REMEMBERING FERNANDEZ

A large fan banner in the upper deck at Paul Brown Stadium honored Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez, who died with two friends in a boat crash early Sunday near Miami Beach. The banner read: "Jose 16 Heaven's Bright."

STILL CAN'T RUN

The Bengals rushed for 77 yards and only a 2.1-yard average against the second-worst run defense in the league, one missing two starting linebackers.

SLOPPY DOLPHINS

Miami had seven penalties for 68 yards. The most egregious was by Terrence Fede, who pushed Kevin Huber to the ground after he punted in the third quarter. The penalty gave Cincinnati the ball, and the Bengals got a field goal out of it.

INJURIES

Dolphins: LT Branden Albert and C Anthony Steen were inactive with sprained ankles. Also missing were LBs Koa Misi (neck) and Jelani Jenkins (groin). C Mike Pouncey has missed all four games with a hip injury.

Bengals: TE Tyler Eifert was inactive again, contributing to the Bengals' trouble close to the goal line. He's recovering from offseason ankle surgery and returned to practice on a limited basis last week. CB Dre Kirkpatrick was inactive with a hamstring injury suffered Sunday. G Clint Boling sat out most of the fourth quarter with an injured left shoulder.

ANTHEM STATEMENTS

Stills and Dolphins safety Michael Thomas knelt with their hands over their hearts during the anthem.

FANTASY IMPACT

Tannehill was 15 of 25 for 189 yards with a touchdown, an interception, a fumble and five sacks. Dalton was 22 of 31 for 296 yards with a touchdown and a sack.

UP NEXT

The Dolphins begin a stretch of four straight home games against Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Buffalo and the New York Jets.

The Bengals have a tough two-game stretch, playing Dallas and New England on the road. They're 1-5 in Dallas, dropping their last three. They've dropped their last six at New England, last winning in 1986.

Ajayi scores in overtime, Miami tops Cleveland 30-24

Jay Ajayi got a second chance, and so did the Miami Dolphins.

They made the most of both.

Ajayi scored on an 11-yard run with 8:26 left in overtime, and the Dolphins escaped with a 30-24 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday - the first victory for first-year head coach Adam Gase.

"We come out here in our first game and showcase to our home fans what we're about, and offensively we're out there flopping it around," said Gase, who was in no celebratory mood afterward. "It irritated me a little bit."

Ajayi's game-winner came one play after Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehillfound a wide-open Jarvis Landry for a 32-yard gain, as the Dolphins (1-2) avoided what would be their first 0-3 start since 2011.

Tannehill threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns for Miami, and Landry caught seven of those passes for 120 yards.

Cody Parkey, who was signed Saturday after Patrick Murray was hurt the day before in practice, missed three field goals for Cleveland, including a 46-yarder as time expired in regulation. The Browns had a golden chance to win afterCorey Lemonier stripped the ball from Tannehill and recovered the fumble himself with 20 seconds left.

Parkey went wide left, some Dolphins fans who were leaving turned around in the stairwells, and to overtime they went.

"I know everybody will say it came down to the field goals, but I'm not going to put that kind of pressure on Cody," Browns coach Hue Jackson said. "Cody just got off a plane with us and I don't know him as well as I know this chair right now."

Cleveland started Cody Kessler at quarterback, making him the third player in as many weeks to hold that job for the Browns. The Browns lost Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown in the season's first two weeks, and ultimately got a spark from quarterback-turned-wide-receiver.

Terrelle Pryor became the first Browns player since 1977 to have multiple receptions, rushes and passes in the same game. The former Ohio State quarterback, now primarily a receiver, started taking some snaps in the game's second series and finished with eight catches for 144 yards - along with 35 passing yards and 25 rushing yards. Pryor even played safety on the last play of the first half.

"Dynamic athlete," Miami defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh said. "Whether he's playing quarterback or wide receiver he's obviously effective."

Miami trailed 13-10 at the half. Landry caught a 42-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to put the Dolphins on top, and the lead got stretched to 24-13 when Tannehill hit Damien Williams with what became a 10-yard scoring throw early in the fourth.

Cleveland's first offensive touchdown in its last 16 series came with 10:12 left, when Pryor scored on a 3-yard run. The two-point conversion got the Browns within 24-21, and Parkey's 38-yard field goal later in the fourth pulled Cleveland into a tie.

And in OT, Ajayi - who didn't even fly with the team to Seattle for its season opener - capped it with a run around the left side.

"I'm always happy to get a win. It was ugly, we didn't play well at times today, but we stuck together and found a way," Tannehill said.

WELCOME, ROOK

Briean Boddy-Calhoun was inactive in Week 1 and Week 2 for Cleveland. He made his debut one to remember, becoming the first player in franchise history to run back an interception for a score in his first NFL game.

GOOD CALL

Cleveland won the coin toss prior to overtime and let Miami have the ball, even though a Dolphin touchdown on that possession would have ended the game. Miami wound up punting. "The way we were playing offensively, it was probably a good idea," Gase said.

QUOTABLE

Patriots coach Bill Belichick offered a memorable "We're on to Cincinnati" series of quotes in October 2014, not wanting to answer questions about Tom Brady after a bad loss to Kansas City. Gase, whose club goes to Cincinnati on Thursday, channeled some Belichick on Sunday. "We're moving on to Cincinnati," Gase said.

INJURIES

Dolphins C Mike Pouncey (hip) missed a third straight game, and his replacement - Anthony Steen - left with an ankle injury 15 seconds into the fourth quarter, so Miami turned to third-stringer Kraig Urbik. The Dolphins also lost LBJelani Jenkins (quad), LB Koa Misi (neck) and TE Jordan Cameron (assessment for concussion).

Patriots' Garoppolo injured, still beat Dolphins 31-24

The New England Patriots have a brand new quarterback issue.

Jimmy Garoppolo had three touchdown passes before leaving in the second quarter with a right shoulder injury as the New England Patriots outlasted the Miami Dolphins 31-24 on Sunday.

It was the Patriots' eighth straight home victory over Miami (0-2). It came at a price as New England (2-0) was dealt another blow at quarterback withTom Brady already out his four-game "Deflategate" suspension.

Garoppolo's injury came on third down with less than five minutes left in the first half. He was chased out of the pocket and got off a completion toMalcolm Mitchell and driven into the ground on his shoulder by Miami linebacker Kiko Alonso.

Garoppolo initially got up, before going down to one knee and being attended to by the training staff. He ended his day 18 of 27 for 234 yards and the three scores.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick, never one to reveal much information, said of Garoppolo's injury: "I don't know yet. So we'll take it day by day."

Garoppolo was replaced by rookie Jacoby Brissett, who led New England to a touchdown on its first possession of the second half. Brissett was 6 of 9 for 92 yards. LeGarrette Blount rushed 29 times for 123 yards and a touchdown.Martellus Bennett also had five catches 114 and a touchdown.

The Dolphins, who beat the Patriots in Miami in last season's finale, had no answers for New England's offense early and fell into a 24-0 hole as they were stymied by three turnovers. Ryan Tannehill finally found some traction and trimmed a 31-3 deficit to 31-24 with 6:06 to play.

Tannehill didn't complete a pass until the second quarter as the Patriots' defensive line pressured him into quick throws. The pressure culminated with Tannehill being intercepted by linebacker Jamie Collins late in the first half.

QUOTABLE:

Patriots WR Julian Edelman on losing Garoppolo: "This game is a 100 percent injury rate. It's football and everyone's just gotta do their job a little bit better."

Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill on the slow offensive start: "We couldn't get anything going. We kept putting our defense back on the field after long drives. It's tough on the defense. ... We need to get points on the board early - and give our defense a break."

COMEBACK DOLPHINS: Tannehill found Kenny Stills for a 24-yard touchdown in the third quarter and connected withJordan Cameron for a 12-yard score in the fourth. Kenyan Drake also had a 7-yard touchdown run as Miami closed the gap. Tannehill completed 20 of his first 21 passes to begin the second half.

The usually reliable Stephen Gostkowski missed a 39-yard field goal with 1:08 to play. But Duron Harmon intercepted Tannehill's pass in the back of the end zone with 2 seconds remaining. Tannehill finished 32 of 45 for 389 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

"We were in a tough situation," Tannehill said. "At that point, you can go one of two ways. You can either pack it up for the day, or battle. And those guys battled. That's what you want to see."

QUICK START: Garoppolo had touchdown passes on each of the Patriots' first three drives to build a 21-0 lead.

He had four completions of over 10 yards on the opening drive, capping it with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Danny Amendola. New England's second drive mirrored the first with Garoppolo finding Chris Hogan for gains of 19 and 24 yards. The series ended with a 20-yard scoring strike to Bennett .

NO GRONK: Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (hamstring) was inactive for the second consecutive game. But New England made do without him. Garoppolo completed passes to seven receivers before his injury, including six completions toJulian Edelman.

Bennett, primarily used as a blocker in last week's win at Arizona, had an early 26-yard reception to go with his 20-yard touchdown grab in the first quarter.

HIGH RISER: Blount was active on the ground to help take pressure off both Garoppolo and Brissett. He brought the Gillette Stadium crowd to its feet during his 26-yard turn in the fourth quarter, which ended with him hurdling cornerback Byron Maxwell.

INJURIES: Miami RB Arian Foster left with a groin injury in the second quarter and did not return. Linebacker Spencer Paysinger also left the game with a neck injury.

Behind Wilson, Seattle rallies for 12-10 win over Miami

Hobbled by an ankle injury, Russell Wilson pulled off another fourth-quarter comeback, throwing a 2-yard touchdown pass to Doug Baldwin with 31 seconds left, giving the Seattle Seahawks a 12-10 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

The expected contenders in the NFC looked flawed offensively and buckled defensively in the fourth quarter, giving up an 86-yard touchdown drive toRyan Tannehill that gave the Dolphins a 10-6 lead with 4:08 remaining.

That's when Wilson went to work, playing on a right ankle that twisted badly in the third quarter as he was sacked by Ndamukong Suh. Seattle converted fourth-and-1 early in the drive on a 7-yard run by Christine Michael, but the big play was Wilson finding Baldwin for 22 yards on a crossing route on fourth-and-4 near midfield.

Wilson hit Baldwin in the corner of the end zone to give Seattle the lead. The extra point was partially blocked by Miami's Jason Jones, but it didn't matter.

Wilson's 19th fourth quarter or overtime comeback ruined Adam Gase's debut as coach in Miami. The Dolphins were stymied by Seattle's defense for three quarters before putting together an impressive drive to take the lead.

Miami had just 145 yards total offense until the winning drive. Tannehill was 4 of 5, hitting Jarvis Landry for 28 yards and Damien Williams for 29 to reach the Seattle 2. Two plays later, Tannehill bulled across the goal line on a designed draw.

ANKLE DAMAGE: Wilson was hobbled after he was sacked by Suh for a 13-yard loss. As he was going down, Suh clipped the back of Wilson's foot and caused the foot and ankle to turn awkwardly. Wilson limped through the possession before getting examined on the sideline and having his foot and ankle taped. He finished 27 of 43 for 258 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Tannehill was 16 of 29 for 186 yards.

MISSED IT: Miami missed on three great scoring chances. On fourth-and-1 at the Seattle 17 in the first quarter, Tannehill tried to draw the Seahawks offside before handing off to Arian Foster, who was stuffed at the line of scrimmage. On their next series, Kenny Stills got free behind Seattle's secondary only to drop what would have been a sure touchdown. And in the third quarter, Andrew Franks' 27-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Cassius Marsh.

ANTHEM ATTENTION : Foster, Stills, Michael Thomas and Jelani Jenkins all took a knee on the Miami sideline just before the national anthem began. The four held their hands over their hearts as the anthem played and stood immediately at its conclusion.

The Dolphins released a statement saying they encourage players and staff to stand during the anthem, but recognize an "individual's right to reflect during the anthem in different ways."

On the opposite sideline, Seahawks players and coaches locked arm in arm. That included defensive back Jeremy Lane, who sat during the national anthem in the preseason finale in Oakland in a sign of support for San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

INJURIES: Dolphins - Mario Williams left in the second half to be evaluated for a concussion. He did not return. DTEarl Mitchell also suffered a calf injury in the first half.

Seahawks - Rookie RB C.J. Prosise suffered a wrist injury in the first half and was seen on the sideline with a cast on his wrist.