NFL

Game recap: Xavien Howard's game-saving fumble gives Dolphins win over Patriots

Palm Beach Post

The 2021 NFL season is finally here.

The Miami Dolphins are looking to build off their 10-6 2020 campaign with the one thing it was missing: a playoff berth. Tua Tagovailoa is in his first full season as the Dolphins starting quarterback under head coach Brian Flores. This will be the first game for rookie receiver Jaylen Waddle, whom the Dolphins picked in the first round of April's NFL Draft.

The Patriots will start rookie QB Mac Jones, who beat former MVP Cam Newton for the job after the preseason. Coach Bill Belichick is looking to return to the playoffs after the departure of Tom Brady.

Video highlights:See the top plays from Dolphins-Patriots

How to watch:Here's where to catch Dolphins at Patriots on TV, live stream

Fantasy stud? Why Myles Gaskin has emerged as a Dolphins' three-down running back

Betting odds:What's the latest line, over-under for Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots?

Off the field:Dolphins lineman Austin Jackson promotes the cause that saved his sister's life

Keep up with the game with the Palm Beach Post's Dolphins team below or on Twitter.

7:23 p.m. | Tua kneels to run out clock in Dolphins' win

The Dolphins are 1-0 and the Patriots are 0-1.

7:20 p.m. | Two Minute Warning

The Dolphins are in the victory formation. Xavien Howard's takeaway ended the Patriots' final possession as the Dolphins offense managed to grind out the last of New England's timeouts. 

7:10 p.m. | Dolphins defense does it again

Miami's defense secures its second turnover of the game, this time while backed up in the red zone. None other than Xavien Howard on the forced fumble and recovery. 

Dolphins lead 17-16 with 3:25 to play. 

7 p.m. | Tua Tagovailoa interception

New England secured a big turnover at midfield, forcing Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa into a dangerous throw that was intercepted by Jonathan Jones after a deflection. 

Mac Jones and the Patriots offense are in business in Dolphins territory with just over six minutes remaining. 

6:51 p.m. | Miami's defense stands tall again

The Dolphins' defense withstood a threatening Patriots drive to force Nick Folk's third field goal of the game. Miami leads 17-16 with just over 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. 

6:20 p.m. | Dolphins lead! Tua to Waddle for a touchdown

The Alabama connection is paying off for the Dolphins as Tua Tagovailoa finds Jaylen Waddle for the receiver's first professional touchdown. Miami leads New England 17-10 midway through the third quarter. 

5:55 p.m. | Dolphins tack on a field goal to level it at halftime 

The Dolphins conduct a two-and-a-half-minute drill to get a field goal just before halftime.

Tua Tagovailoa and Jaylen Waddle connected on a long pass play while West Palm Beach’s Jacoby Brissett entered the game briefly to convert a short third down. 10-10 at halftime in New England. 

5:40 p.m. | Patriots take the lead on Mac Jones' first TD 

New England rookie quarterback Mac Jones put the Patriots in front late in the second quarter with a touchdown pass to Nelson Agholor, the first of Jones' professional career. Dolphins trail 10-7 with 2:15 left in the first half. 

5:15 p.m. | Dolphins stall at midfield on Waddle drop

The Patriots trail 7-3 midway through the second quarter and took possession after a promising Dolphins' drive halted on a missed connection between Tua Tagovailoa and Jaylen Waddle on third down. Miami's punt landed in the end zone for a touchback. 

5 p.m. | Raekwon Davis injures knee

Tackle Raekwon Davis, a key member of the Dolphins' defensive line, was injured on New England's sixth play from scrimmage.

Davis was listed as questionable to return with a knee injury.

After slowly walking off, he emerged from the medical tent with a wrap or brace on his right knee.

He was replaced by John Jenkins.

| 4:45 p.m. | Tua Tagovailoa scores Dolphins' first touchdown of the season 

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

10 plays, 80 yards, 5:05 on the scoring drive. A near-perfect opening sequence for the Dolphins, capped by Tua Tagovailoa's short rushing touchdown. Dolphins lead 7-0 midway through the first quarter. 

2:45 p.m. | Noah Igbinoghene inactive for Dolphins vs. Patriots

Noah Igbinoghene, a first-round draft pick only a year ago, is among the inactives for today's Dolphins game at New England.

Igbinoghene, who struggled in his rookie season as a cornerback, appeared in all 16 games last year, so this is the first time he's a healthy scratch (he was not listed on the injury report). It's also a sign of how far his stock has plummeted since being chosen with the 30th overall selection in the spring of 2020.

For his career, Igbinoghene has 10 tackles, two passes defensed and a fumble recovery.

.