Patriots HC Bill Belichick praises TE Mike Gesicki for heads-up play vs. Dolphins

With one minute left and the Patriots trailing 24-17 on fourth-and-four at their opponent's 33-yard line, the former Dolphin brought in a pass from quarterback Mac Jones and made his way toward the first down marker. When Gesicki realized, amidst a flurry of defenders tackling him, that he wouldn't get the necessary yardage to extend the drive, he flipped the ball to his right to offensive lineman Cole Strange.

Upon first look, it appeared that after Strange caught the lateral he was able to drag the defenders to the first down marker. After an official review, however, he was ruled just short to effectively end New England's comeback bid.

Less than 12 hours after the dramatic finish though, Belichick was clearly impressed with Gesicki's quick thinking.

As noted by NBC Sports announcer Mike Tirico, the play could've easily backfired, similar to the Patriots' disastrous events at the end of their Week 15 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders last season.

During that game, New England faced third-and-10 near midfield with the game tied at 24 and three seconds left in regulation. On the game's final play, running back Rhamondre Stevenson took the handoff on a draw, with the team seemingly content to run out the clock and send things to overtime.

Stevenson ran for 20-plus yards, before lateraling the ball to wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, who then ran backward five yards and heaved a lateral across the field back in the direction of Jones. The toss, however, landed right in the hands of Las Vegas defensive end Chandler Jones, who then ran the ball 48 yards the other way for a walk-off touchdown.

Sunday night's game didn't end quite as wildly as last season's contest against the Raiders, but both battles had the same result -- a Patriots loss.