CHRISTIAN WILKINS

Miami's GM Chris Grier said conversations with the Indianapolis Colts about 2021 All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor were “exploratory,” and no official offers were exchanged between the two teams.

Skylar Thompson threw for 218 yards and one touchdown to help the Miami Dolphins open the preseason with a 26-24 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

This year’s NFL draft has the chance to be unlike any other in recent years with a possible long wait before any of the players who throw, catch or run with the ball coming off the board.

The Associated Press will hand out its individual NFL awards on Feb. 10 at NFL Honors in Los Angeles.

The Miami Dolphins have pushed their winning streak to six games.

The Miami Dolphins have pushed their winning streak to six games.

Tua Tagovailoa threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Jaylen Waddle in the third quarter and Xavien Howard recovered a fumble in the fourth to help the Miami Dolphins hold on for a 17-16 win over the New England Patriots.

“At this point in time, this is our most important game,” Tagovailoa said. The rookie quarterback, 4-2 as a starter, will face the Patriots for the first time. Miami's defense is much improved since Week 1, when it allowed 217 yards rushing in a loss at New England. The Dolphins rank second in the NFL in points allowed, and are tied for the league lead with 25 takeaways. TUA THE TARGETShould the Patriots take Tagovailoa seriously as a receiving threat?

Tua Tagovailoa had help from a less-heralded rookie while Justin Herbert struggled against a relentless pass rush, and the surprising Dolphins earned their fifth consecutive victory by beating the Los Angeles Chargers 29-21 Sunday. The Chargers could never catch up after they were hurt by two mistakes in the kicking game that allowed Miami to take a 14-0 lead. “I was disappointed in the special teams and some of the things that went on there. “It changed the momentum.”SPECIALMost lopsided of all was the special teams matchup. Jakeem Grant, the NFL leader in punt return yards, helped the Dolphins’ field position with three runbacks for 57 yards.

A laugher became a thriller for the Miami Dolphins, and they needed overtime to beat the Cincinnati Bengals. Each team punted twice to start the extra period before Fitzpatrick led a 10-play, 51-yard march for the winning field goal. “I’m one for one.”MIAMI’S PASSINGFitzpatrick also threw touchdown passes of 31 and 13 yards to Mike Gesicki, and 7 yards to DeVante Parker. Dolphins: CB Jomal Wiltz left the game in the first half with a shoulder injury. BENGALS: They finish at home Sunday against Cleveland, which won 27-19 when the teams met two weeks ago.