FINAL: Dolphins 17, Patriots 16 - Damien Harris fumbles at Miami 9 with 3:31 left

FOXBOROUGH — Well, that was disappointing.

With shades of Cam Newton's punch-out fumble in Buffalo last season, the Patriots snatched defeat from a potential victory when Damien Harris fumbled at the Miami 9-yard line with 3:31 to play to fall 17-16 to the Dolphins.

It capped an uncharacteristically sloppy day for the Patriots, who had 8 penalties for 84 yards and another fumble by rookie RB Rhamondre Stevenson.

The defense allowed two drives — to start the first and second halves — but largely kept the Dolphins in check.

Trent Brown was lost for the game early with a calf injury. His replacement, Justin Herron, was benched in the second half for poor play.

This ruined a sterling first career start for Mac Jones, who finished 29 of 39 for 281 yards and a touchdown to Nelson Agholor, who didn't play much down the stretch. Jones had a 102.6 rating.

The Dolphins closed the game with a 3rd and 1 sneak when Dont'a Hightower and Josh Uche watched while Chase Winovich and Ja'Whaun Bentley were on the field.

Regular Season Game #1: Dolphins (0-0) at Patriots (0-0), 4:25 p.m.
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough.
TV: Channel 4-WBZ — Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Trent Green (color), Melanie Collins (sidelines).
Radio: 98.5-FM The SportsHub in Boston. **Bedard will be on the postgame show approximately one hour after the game.**
Online: Gamecenter | Dolphins notes | Patriots notes | Flipcard
BetUS.com (Use code BSJ) Latest line: Patriots -3, 43.5 O/U
Weather forecast: 80 degrees, partly cloudy, winds out of Southwest at 12 mph.

HALFTIME STATS

INACTIVES

INJURY REPORT

TRANSACTIONS

Patriots promoted QB Brian Hoyer and K Nick Folk from the practice squad to the active roster.

Both will likely be active, and Folk will likely handle the field-goal duties for the Patriots.

PREGAME READING/LISTENING

NFL Notebook: New era dawns for Patriots, but will it be a successful one?
Completed Q&A: Bedard on Patriots season opener 09.10.21
Bedard: 12 reasons to be confident in the 2021 Patriots
Podcast & Video: Bedard Patriots Pod - Season Preview: Why Mac? 3 things up & down; Predictions
The Decision, Part 3: One play showed the clear disparity between Jones & Newton in Patriots' system
The Decision, Part II: What the coaches' film says about Mac Jones & Cam Newton vs. Eagles
Podcast: Bedard Patriots Pod - NFL Season Preview & Predictions
Voice of the Fan: There’s A New Sheriff In Town, And It’s Not Mac Jones

IN-GAME PICTURES