Cornerback Xavien Howard shadowed New England wide receiver Brandin Cooks during the Miami Dolphins’ game against the Patriots on Monday, and the strategy paid off in the early stages as Howard intercepted quarterback Tom Brady twice and kept Cooks under control.
But in the second quarter Howard was called for a 20-yard pass interference penalty against Cooks near the goal line, setting up the Patriots at the Miami 3-yard line. New England scored one player later to take a 7-6 lead.
It’s been that type of season for Howard, who allowed two touchdowns against Carolina and had two interceptions in Miami’s 35-9 victory over Denver last week, one of which he returned 30 yards for a touchdown.
Howard’s first interception Monday interception was his third in a five-quarter span.
It was also a play that was a bit reassuring considering Miami was playing without starting cornerback Cordrea Tankersley, who was inactive due to shoulder and ankle injuries.
Howard, Miami’s second-year player, picked off Brady’s second pass of the game when he stepped in front of a pass intended for Cooks, New England’s leading receiver with 53 receptions for 886 yards and five touchdowns entering Monday’s game.
Howard’s second interception came on a deep pass early in the third quarter.
Three weeks ago Howard, the second-round pick from Baylor, said he wanted to take more chances.
“I’ve done OK using the right technique,” Howard said. “Guys are going to catch the ball, but you’ve got to make plays and take chances out there.
“That’s something I’ve said I need to do more, take chances and stuff like that because guys are going to catch the ball. It’s the league. I try my best to stop them from catching the ball. But you have to go out there and make a play, be confident in what you’re doing.”
Tannehill anniversary
Monday marked the one-year anniversary of quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s season-ending knee injury against Arizona. Miami has gone 7-9, including playoffs, without Tannehill. Miami is 37-40 in games Tannehill has started. …
Cornerback Bobby McCain started at cornerback for Tankersley, who was inactive along with quarterback Matt Moore (foot), right guard Jermon Bushrod (foot), running back Damien Williams (shoulder), tight end A.J. Derby, guard Isaac Asiata and defensive end Cameron Malveaux.
McCain, the usual slot cornerback in the nickel package, played the boundary in the base defense. In the nickel package McCain slid over the slot and veteran cornerback Alterraun Verner played the boundary.
Drake putting up yards
Last week running back Kenyan Drake amassed a career-best 26 touches for a career-high 141 yards from scrimmage (120 yards rushing, 21 yards receiving). At halftime Monday he had 15 touches for 120 yards (40 yards rushing, 80 yards receiving).
Drake had a 47-yard reception in the second quarter and now has four plays of 40 or more yards in the past six games with runs of 42, 66 and 42 yards and the 47-yard reception.
Miami uses multiple formations
Coach Adam Gase changed formations frequently early in Monday’s game using four players in the backfield in the first half — running back Drake, wide receivers Jarvis Landry and Jakeem Grant, and tight end MarQueis Gray.
Landry caught a swing pass out of the backfield and Gray had a carry. …
Wide receiver Kenny Stills, tight end Julius Thomas and safety Michael Thomas continued to kneel during the national anthem. ...
Wide receiver DeVante Parker had a pass glance off his hands and fall incomplete on the game’s first play but after recording one reception for five yards in each of the past two games, Parker had two receptions for 19 yards in Monday’s first half. …
Miami entered Monday’s game averaging 25.2 points per game at Hard Rock Stadium and stayed on pace for that in the first half with 13 points.
Photos from the Miami Dolphins' home game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. (Jim Rassol, Joe Cavaretta) (Jim Rassol, Joe Cavaretta)
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chperkins@sunsentinel.com; On Twitter @Chrisperk