Patriots vs Dolphins second quarter recap: Patriots extend lead to 20-10

The Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots have completed their first half of play. The first quarter ended with New England holding a 10-7 lead, which the Patriots extended to 20-10 by the end of the first half.

The opening drive of the second quarter was a continuation of a Miami possession from the first period. It did not last long, however, as quarterback Ryan Tannehill threw a poor pass toward an open wide receiver Mike Wallace deep down the field. Originally designed as a pass into the flat, Tannehill made his progression reads to find Wallace deep over the middle. The pass, however, was behind and short for Wallace and was intercepted by Alfonzo Dennard.

Tom Brady would make Miami pay for their second straight turnover, driving from the Miami six-yard line in 11 plays, finding tight end Rob Gronkowski for the touchdown. Brady surgically dissected the Dolphins defense to move the ball the 94-yards down the field in just over four minutes of game time.

The Dolphins took over possession and attempted to get momentum. Again, however, it would be a short drive, as Lamar Miller fumbled the ball away, with Darrelle Revis recovering the ball.

Miami had three straight possessions ended by turnovers by the mid-way point of the second quarter.

Luckily for Miami, a tired defense was able to make a stand and get the ball back without any more damage being done.

The Dolphins were able to put together their first drive without a turnover since the 15-yard touchdown drive in the first quarter after the defensive stand. Moving the ball 55-yards on 11 plays, with some help from New England penalties, Miami nearly had a touchdown on a tipped pass, if Wallace had been able to locate the ball that dropped just in front of him. Instead, Miami settled for a 38-yard field goal from Caleb Sturgis, narrowing the gap to 17-10.

During that drive, Wallace's preseason comment that it constantly seems Miami does not get penalties called for them like every other team in the league, once again reared its head. Wide receiver Brian Hartline appeared to be wrapped around the neck on the sideline as the pass was coming toward him, but no flag was thrown.

The Patriots took the ball for the final possession of the half, moving the ball down the field and giving Stephen Gostkowski a chance at a last second field goal. The drive appeared to stall briefly, with a deep incomplete pass from Brady, only to have Miami called for 12-men on the field when they could not get a substitution completed.

Gostkowski was able to connect on a 45-yard field goal to give New England the 20-10 lead at the half.

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