Patriots - 23
Dolphins - 21
Q. What are your thoughts on the way the team finished out the game, the opportunity ahead to win next weekend and qualify for the Playoffs?
DA: Yeah, we're still alive. It was a tough game, really fought hard. Hats off to them, they had a pretty good game plan coming in, did some things to challenge us.
Defense, obviously Kyle, I mean, huge play by Kyle. Then we were able to put that together at the end to go ahead.
Overall good team win.
Q. Dave, did you see that drive as kind of being a definitive one for this offense, chance to close out the game, Mac able to bring the team down the field?
DA: Yeah, definitely think so, a drive to keep the season going for us, so...
Big drive, a lot of people made some big plays. Great recognition on Mac on that touchdown. He's back there clapping. Next thing I know it was not what I thought was about to happen. Good job by him and Jakobi being on the same page, recognizing what they saw.
Just overall great job by him, everybody that executed, get the ball down there and score.
Q. Dave, when you see Kyle's pick-six, what is the feeling for you guys on the bench? Woke up the entire stadium. How big was that with the D?
DA: Yeah, huge. Feel like Kyle has a touchdown every week it seems like going.
Yeah, I mean, it was a huge play. Defense stepped up huge right there. Really gave the whole stadium, like you said, the whole team some juice. We knew we had a chance to go out there and close it out, put a good drive together.
Great job by the defense obviously covering that on-side kick.
Q. David, how about them Dawgs?
DA: How about 'em, right? Back to back (smiling).
Q. At this point in the season we see an injury report on both sides, key players missing, guys leave in the middle of the game. What is it like at this point in the season that at this point everyone is dealing with something? What does it say that this team grits out this win with so many injuries?
DA: I mean, look, everyone goes through it. Obviously some great opportunities for people if your number is called.
I thought obviously some guys did some really good things today, stepped up for us. Good to get Damien back. Everyone is dealing with something. A tough league, a long year. Part of it. You learn to play with it.
Q. David, talk about Mac Jones' composure there starting at the 11 to make that game-winning drive.
DA: Yeah, did a great job putting us in the right position. Obviously it was a big drive, made some really key throws.
Like I said, that touchdown, that was great recognition by him and Jakobi being on the same page and kind of seeing what they had. I haven't seen it completely, but again, that's not what I thought was going to happen. Just a great drive by him. Thought he did a really good job all day staying composed, made the plays when we had to.
Q. A thought on what you guys have been through to get to 8-8, have that chance next week at Buffalo to get into the post-season, what does that mean to you guys?
DA: Yeah, I mean, look, if you've ever had the chance to play this game, you know it's the game of life, right? You're going to get knocked down, you're going to get picked back up, you're going to have some ups and downs. You just have to keep fighting, you got to keep pushing.
It's the greatest game on the earth. It teaches you a lot about yourself and your teammates. I think we showed a lot of fight. Obviously got a big challenge this weekend. Playing one-week seasons right now, that's what it is.
Huge challenge coming up for this week. Proud of the locker room, everyone rebounding this week and coming to work.
Q. To get to the message that you spoke about, how much of you and maybe other team leaders have done over the last couple weeks here, especially after some difficult losses, to make sure everybody is still focused and where they need to be?
DA: Look, you got to be the same person every day. There's no magic thing you can come in, no magic thing you can say to people.
I love getting to come in here for work. I love getting to do this. I'm thankful I'm getting to do this. I probably don't deserve to be in this league. I'm super thankful.
I think we got a lot of good leaders on this team. It's not me, Devin, Slater. No one did anything special. Just try to be the same, try to rally the troops, like I said. It's not anything special we did.
A lot of guys in that locker room keep coming to work, keep showing up. It was a great team win overall.
Thanks, guys. Appreciate it.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports