ISAIAH FORD

Tua Tagovailoa threw a pair of short touchdown passes and the Miami Dolphins extended their winning streak to five games by topping the New York Giants 20-9 on Sunday.

Xavien Howard forced a fumble and returned it 49 yards for a touchdown, Tua Tagovailoa came off the bench and capped his night with a 1-yard sneak for a score with 2:19 left and the Miami Dolphins stunned the Baltimore Ravens 22-10 on Thursday night.

Former Saginaw Heritage standout and University of Michigan recruit Brian Cole was released Friday by the Miami Dolphins. Cole, who finished his collegiate career with Mississippi State, spent the 2020 season on Miami’s practice squad. Cole, one of the top recruits in the 2015 class, signed with the University of Michigan and then-coach Brady Hoke. He transferred to East Mississippi State for a season, then played two seasons at Mississippi State. In 16 games at Mississippi State, Cole had 78 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) warms up before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Miami Dolphins need a good game Sunday to ensure they get to keep playing, and that's especially true for Tua Tagovailoa. Coach Brian Flores has benched Tagovailoa twice in the fourth quarter, including last week at Las Vegas, when backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick helped Miami overcome a pair of deficits in the final 10 minutes. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)MIAMI – Any debate about who should start for the Miami Dolphins this week at quarterback ended Thursday with backup Ryan Fitzpatrick's positive test for COVID-19. The Dolphins placed Fitzpatrick on the reserve-COVID-19 list.

The Dolphins (9-5) bolstered their wild-card chances and are assured of a winning record for only the second time since 2008. The Patriots (6-8) will finish at .500 or worse for the first time since 2000, the year they drafted Tom Brady. They mounted a 14-play, 90-yard touchdown drive midway through the second half to take the lead for good. They were shut out in the first half, but mounted a 72-yard touchdown drive to start the second half for a 7-6 lead. DE John Simon (hamstring) and C David Andrews (calf) were sidelined in the second half.