Football coaches stress that all three phases of the game matter: Offense, defense, and special teams.
The Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots are proving that today on this NFL Sunday.
After the Dolphins held the Patriots to just a single yard on a 3rd-and-26 play from deep in their own territory, punter Bryce Baringer came on to punt from the shadow of his own goalpost.
Settling in under the punt on the other end of the field was Miami returner Malik Washington, who promptly did … this:
Washington’s stunning 74-yard punt return sent Hard Rock Stadium into a frenzy and changed the course of the game.
Because moments later, the Dolphins kicked off to the Patriots, and waiting near his own ten-yard line was Antonio Gibson.
Who took the kickoff back to the house for a 90-yard touchdown, one that silenced the Dolphins fans at Hard Rock Stadium and put the Patriots back into the lead:
Gibson was certainly moving on the return. But he might hear from his head coach on Monday about who was actually faster during that play. A replay on CBS Sports highlighted New England head coach Mike Vrabel, who was racing alongside Gibson during the return:
Over just 12 seconds, a pair of dramatic kick returns for touchdowns.
Who knows what else will happen in Miami before this game goes final?
