The New England Patriots were trying to avoid an 0-2 start. The Miami Dolphins were trying to avoid letting an offensive lineman run for a first down against them. Somehow, in the final minute of Sunday night’s game, these two worlds crashed into each other.
A missed Jason Sanders 55-yard field goal gave the Patriots new life trailing 24-17 with 2:14 to play at Gillette Stadium. While Mac Jones had thrown a damaging interception deep in Dolphins territory one quarter earlier, he’d composed himself long enough to make New England a looming threat. But a sack and an incompletion brought up third-and-18 with the game on the line. Jones was able to find tight end Mike Gesicki for 14 yards that play, it wasn’t enough for a new set of downs.
So the embattled quarterback went right back to his trusty target on fourth down, only for Gesicki to get stuck in a strong open-field tackle by Bradley Chubb. Seeing the writing on the wall, a stuck-in-neutral Gesicki pitched the ball backward to the first man in Pat Patriot throwbacks he saw charging upfield. That was 300-pound guard Cole Strange, who plucked the ball out of the air, rumbled headfirst into a swarm of Miami defenders, then crashed forward for what officials ruled a first down on the field.
WOW THE PITCH!
📺: #MIAvsNE on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FhXtx7w3wW pic.twitter.com/FWtvThhd8p— NFL (@NFL) September 18, 2023
It was beautiful, but it was not meant to be. Strange was ruled short upon review, ceding the ball to the Dolphins as a turnover on downs and effectively ending the game.
But this play absolutely should have invoked the football rule of cool. If it looks rad enough, it counts. And this play had something for everyone (except maybe Dolphins fans).
Needless to say, fans and analysts were shocked by the heads up play — and a little bummed it didn’t amount to anything.
dawg just give it to him what are you doing
— Arif Hasan, but NFL 🏈 (@ArifHasanNFL) September 18, 2023
RULE OF COOL, TERRY! SHUT THE HELL UP
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) September 18, 2023
Fat excellence
— Bunkie Perkins (@BunkiePerkins) September 18, 2023
That play was exactly why the Patriots reached for Cole Strange in the first round in the 2022 draft.
They knew he’d be one of their top playmakers.
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) September 18, 2023
Rule of cool means that’s a first man idc that’s the coolest play I’ve ever seen
— JP Acosta (Pug Dederson Stan Acct) (@acosta32_jp) September 18, 2023
NO WAY. COLE STRANGE YOU BEAUTIFUL SOFT-HANDED MOOSE OF A MAN pic.twitter.com/FBlR3zmajy
— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) September 18, 2023
If that play stands, that’s an all time amazing NFL play. Wow.
— Big Joe (@BIGJOEONTHEGO) September 18, 2023
DO YOU BELIEVE IN FAT MIRACLES????
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) September 18, 2023
“HOW STRANGE IS THAT!” is an amazing call. Good for Cris.
— Andy Hutchins (@AndyHutchins) September 18, 2023
football is so good lmao
— Steven Ruiz (@theStevenRuiz) September 18, 2023
best sport ever
— charles (“you look good” – andy reid) mcdonald (@FourVerts) September 18, 2023
GESICKI IS A GAMER
— Derrik Klassen (@QBKlass) September 18, 2023
I very rarely say this about Patriots games but this game is fun as hell
— Jeanna Kelley (@jeannathomas) September 18, 2023
Worst correct review of all time. Had to give it to the Patriots based on the play alone
— Super Bowl 52 MVP (@vj_v_) September 18, 2023
the officials should have the authority to confirm or reverse a call depending on whether or not it was a cool play
— Jon Bois (@jon_bois) September 18, 2023
The NFL hates seeing big people succeed. Sad!
— JP Acosta (Pug Dederson Stan Acct) (@acosta32_jp) September 18, 2023
The Patriots are sympathetic for third party fans now the dynasty is truly over https://t.co/RmEQSL0HPN
— Ethan Hammerman (@Ethanhamm) September 18, 2023
I had no rooting interest, but it's such a cop move to not give a first down on this glorious football play. https://t.co/LMxAMqoGni
— Matt Clapp (@DaBearNecess) September 18, 2023
