SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports' Lindsay H. Jones breaks down the biggest games of the week. USA TODAY Sports
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard had failed to record an interception in his first 18 games before nabbing two last week against the Denver Broncos.
In a stunning 27-20 victory Monday night against the New England Patriots, he recorded two more against one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.
“He balled out,” Dolphins safety Reshad Jones said. “That’s what he does. That’s what he does. He can be one of the best corners in the league.”
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For the Dolphins (6-7), whose slim playoff hopes remained alive with the victory, the emergence of a playmaker at cornerback could be significant.
“I’m just feeding off the last game,” Howard said. “Watching film and stuff like that. They tried to come at me in the weakness that I showed on film so just executing the game plan.”
Howard was all over the field Monday night and flashed blazing close-out speed when he plucked his second interception out of the air despite being several yards behind as the ball descended.
“I just made a play on it,” Howard said.
In part thanks to the absence of Rob Gronkowski, who was suspended for a post-play hit against Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White last week, Miami was able to clamp down on New England’s receivers and virtually shut them down.
Patriots wideouts caught only eight passes for 115 yards. It wasn't until the middle of the third quarter that New England had its first reception by a receiver.
According to Pro Football Focus, Brady didn't complete any of his six passes targeting Howard. Against everyone else, he completed 24 of 31 for 233 yards and a touchdown.
“When we started setting up this week, I think (defensive coordinator) Matt (Burke) kind of goes through what they’re thinking about doing,” Dolphins head coach Adam Gase said. “That’s just something that they felt confident about. X’s confidence is really getting up there. He has had two really good games in a row. It’s good to see him really feeling it. The more confidence he gets, and if we get him one-on-one a lot, that helps us.”
Howard, a second-round pick out of Baylor from the 2016 draft, has started 19 of his 20 career games. He had drawn praise from his teammates about what he had shown on the practice field, but picking off two of Brady’s passes in a game will only spark his suddenly burgeoning profile.
“To be very honest and frank, it’s not surprising,” defensive end Cameron Wake said. “From the moment he got on campus last year, I knew the ability he had, the type of mentality and what he could bring to the table. You could tell him that I said it’s about time. I’ve been seeing him do amazing things on the field since he got here. I think all that hard work and perseverance and persistence is paying off. I’m definitely happy for him. It’s not a big surprise.”
Follow Lorenzo Reyes on Twitter @LorenzoGReyes.
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