One of the Dolphins’ biggest stars fueled Miami’s 21-17 win over New Orleans by delivering multiple career firsts at the perfect time
Five career Pro Bowls, three All-Pro seasons, and two career firsts in the same game nonetheless.
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel likes to talk to his players about the importance of being your best when your best is required. In Miami’s 21-17 victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 13, there were a handful of players on Miami’s roster who got the memo. De’Von Achane was one — but that’s par for the course with Miami this season. Defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick was another.
Fitzpatrick, in his first season back in Miami since 2019, was not only his best, he logged several career firsts in Miami’s big win.
Minkah Fitzpatrick logs several career firsts in Miami’s 21-17 win over Saints
Fitpatrick had himself a monster day for Miami. He logged seven total tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and an interception on a two-point attempt that was returned for two critical points for Miami in the fourth quarter. Without Fitzpatrick’s two-point return, the New Orleans Saints could have kicked a long field goal attempt in the final seconds and potentially won the game.
It’s about being your best when your best is required. Miami required every bit of it from Fitzpatrick.
Here’s the thing, though. Minkah Fitzpatrick, for all of his brilliance in Pittsburgh, had never logged a sack before today. He’d never returned a two-point attempt for a score before, either.
“I was rushing off the edge. They had a receiver in the chipper area, I had a one-on-one with him. Beat him, the quarterback held on to the ball a little too long, I got to him, and that was actually my first NFL sack. That was a big one, I was pretty excited about that,” said Fitzpatrick after the game.
“I’m just excited to be out there, moving around, playing different positions, and making plays for my team.”
It’s pretty surreal to think about Fitzpatrick, who logged three first-team All-Pro seasons and five Pro Bowl appearances in six seasons in Pittsburgh, had never had a sack before today. A two-point attempt returned for a safety is a little more believable, as such plays are a rarity in the NFL. But Fitzpatrick’s first career sack was of the elite variety — he managed a strip sack and a turnover on the play as well. Miami likely doesn’t win today without his individual efforts. And in a season in which Fitzpatrick is back in South Florida for the first time after an unceremonious exit back in 2019, the star safety being able to be his best in ways he never has been before is a welcomed development.
Dolphins’ defensive effort against New Orleans in Week 13
- 17 points allowed
- 294 yards allowed (4.3 yards per play)
- 3.0 yards per rush allowed
- 2 takeaways
- 2 points scored (Minkah Fitzpatrick interception return on 2-point attempt)
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