FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Observed and heard in the locker room after the Miami Dolphins' 41-13 loss to the New England Patriots:
Frustrated Pouncey: The Dolphins' locker room was deflated after the team lost for the third time in four games. But perhaps the most upset player Sunday evening was starting guard Mike Pouncey. The Dolphins fell to 7-7, and losing to New England essentially ended their hopes of making the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season. "It's very frustrating. It's disappointing more than anything, but angry," Pouncey said. "It seems like every year it falls down to the same thing. We fall short. I'm sick of it. I know everybody on this football team is sick of it."
Questions answered? The Dolphins surprised everyone by going deep on multiple occasions against the Patriots. That has been a major weakness for third-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill, but he actually threw an accurate deep ball in this game. Tannehill connected with Mike Wallace for a 50-yard bomb and a 32-yard touchdown. Tannehill also threw a pretty deep ball to backup tailback Damien Williams, who dropped the ball in the end zone. "Obviously one game doesn't put the nail in the coffin or anything," Tannehill said. "But I felt confident all year that we can make the [deep passing] plays."
Continue to fight: Dolphins players were aware their playoff hopes were all but done. But they said they will continue to play hard for themselves, the team and the coaching staff. Miami will host the Minnesota Vikings and New York Jets in the final two weeks.
