TURNOVER #1- The Patriots marched down the field with precision. No incompletes. No plays that didn't get positive yardage. No need for third downs. Then it happened. First and ten from the Miami 22. At this point you've got to think about getting into the end zone and not just moving the chains. What should have been a free play if the refs called the obvious holding, quickly turned into what should have been pass interference and the ball on the one. Instead, the refs held onto their laundry again and then the worst case scenario happened: Dolphins with the ball.
END OF FIRST HALF- 3rd and 19, Patriots give up 12 yards but safety Adrian Phillips is hurt on the play. Dolphins have about 20 seconds on the clock and are at midfield. They figure the chances of a scoop and score or pick 6 aren't very good and decide to go for it. Well, they were successful.
SCORE AT THE HALF- With those three plays happening, the score at the half was 17-0. If we are realistic about what was about to happen with the Patriots first possession and just assume a touchdown, we are at 17-7. Now take away the scoop and score and it's 10-7. Add in a Patriots stop heading into the half and we are talking 3-7 with the Patriots on top.
Yes, all of those things did happen and we did lose the game. However, to write off the team and the season with all of that is ludicrous.