Revisiting the "Miami-Miracle" again with new eyes (Why was Gronk playing Free Safety?)

Worth another look.

For your re-review, re-assessment, and re-analysis of the "Miracle in Miami," let's look under the hood again.

VIDEO "Miracle in Miami" Play (2018)


Atta boy! Way to stumble, dive and NOT come close to making the "Game-Saving" tackle!

Watch this play. In SLOW motion. Rewind. Repeat.

In retrospect, should some recent past "impossible" plays, ridiculous calls (i.e. ANY game OR Super Bowl the Pats / Belichick are involved in) -- as well as so-called "miracles" be suspect and open to challenge and scrutiny?

Let's review what happened and some game ramifications, circumstances and review of the Miami Miracle, shall we?

"The Miracle in Miami," also known as the "Miami Miracle", was a NFL football play that took place at the end of a National Football League regular season game on December 9, 2018, between the Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots.

It was the first walk-off game-winning touchdown in NFL history to involve multiple lateral passes.

The play also went on to win the Bridgestone Performance Play of the Year Award at the 8th Annual NFL Honors Award Show on February 2.

(Huh?? There's an NFL "Performance" category? As in, "ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED??!?" Who knew.)

Things This Game That Make You go, "COME ON, MAN!!"

With halftime not yet over, the Patriots leading 27-21 against the Dolphins AND about to score yet again just before the end of the first half. But Brady and Belichick failed by making a rare "mental misstep". They actually had the ball at Miami’s 2-yard line, time running out. But suddenly Tom Brady was sacked, forgetting about the clock management and game situation. He let time run out, costing the Pats a gift opportunity at points and padding the lead. (NOTE another 3-7 Patriots points were wasted here.)

Lead-up to the Miami- Miracle" Play (Various Sources)

Entering the game, the Patriots were leading the AFC East with a record of 9–3, while the Dolphins had a record of 6–6. A Patriots win would clinch them their 10th consecutive AFC East title.

The Patriots scored first with a touchdown, but there would be a total of eight lead changes (thanks to turrible defense by the Patriots against an anemic Tannenhill-led Fins offense.) The usually reliable Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski would go on to miss not only an the extra point, but a 42 field goal attempt later on.

The Pats, leading 30–28 after an unsuccessful attempt to score a touchdown in the waning seconds, but would tack on another field goal to put them up 33–28 with 16 seconds left to play. ONLY A TD MIRACLE WOULD WIN THE GAME.

The Play

With seven seconds left, the Dolphins, trailed 27-33, needing to gain 69 yards to top the Patriots. So, Ryan Tannehill tossed the ball to Kenny Stills, who lateraled it to DeVante Parker, who lateraled the ball to Kenyan Drake. Drake, juking and weaving his way through phantom pursuit, missed tackles, and a shocking lack of defense in his way found one last man, (FREE SAFETY JUST FOR THIS PLAY?!?) Rob Gronkowski, standing between him and the End Zone -- and Gronk had the angle...

Yes, Rob Gronkowski, who [for some unknown, ridiculous reason] was in on the coverage to defend against a potential Hail Mary throw, not only took a dumb angle on the play, but lumbered toward Drake as though he were carrying a wet blanket and shackled by 100 lb ankle weights, completely stumbling over his own feet, dove for effect -- not coming close to what could/should have been a game-winning tackle.

Drake The Magician had wove his way through sparse traffic and non-existent pursuit, into the end zone easily to give Miami a 34-33 win!

Reactions & Questions

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was criticized (quietly) after the game for substituting out safety Devin McCourty for tight end Rob Gronkowski, who [conveniently] missed the final tackle leading to Drake's touchdown.

Retired Patriots players Rodney Harrison and Tedy Bruschi, as well as McCourty and Patriots safety Duron Harmon were livid. They noted that since the Dolphins were too far away from the end zone to try a conventional Hail Mary pass play, Gronkowski should not have been substituted in for a defensive back or safety on the play.



Bill Belichick reaction: "Look it's the National Football League. "Nobody died. Gotta big game against Pittsburgh this week."

Kid-Gloves Media Reaction

"Meh. Nothing to see here. the Coach is right. Shizzle-happens. It wuz a true NFL Miracle! Now let's move on and NOT press Belichick the obvious question: WHY on earth was Rob Gronkowski -- bum leg and all -- playing FREE SAFETY on this play situation?"

Just sayin'.