Patriots' Gostkowski reflects on 'Oh, crap' moment

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski made a critical play Saturday, and it wasn't a kick.

Gostkowski saved a would-be third-quarter touchdown when Dolphins' kick returner Clyde Gates hit a hole and ran for daylight up the right side of the field. Gostkowski dove for the returner's feet in a last-gasp effort and brought him down.

"I'll have to watch the tape, but I didn't feel anyone around me and that was kind of the, ‘Oh, crap' moment," Gostkowski told reporters after the game. "You know, luckily I got myself in a good enough position to have an attempt to make a play."

The tackle came a play after Gostkowski split the uprights to cut into Miami's 17-point lead, and the Patriots' defense recovered a fumble on the Dolphins' next series. The Patriots scored 27 straight points in a victory over the Dolphins.

"... it was a big play [and] it feels even more rewarding that you know we [made them turn] the ball over right after that and ended up winning the game, so I guess that was my Christmas present," he said.

Gostkowski has four tackles this season and 18 in his six-year career.

"Those [open field tackles] are hard for the real athletes to even make them," he added. "So for me to get an opportunity to do it and you know come through, you know, you get a little more respect at my position when you can do that."

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