FOXBOROUGH -- Damien Harris was the story of Sunday's season opener for the Patriots against Miami, and then became an even bigger one with just over three minutes to go.
Harris was on his way to 100 yards rushing and a likely Patriots win until he fumbled on the 11-yard line with 3:35 to go. New England was about to take the lead, but the fumble allowed Miami to take over and run out the clock in the 17-16 win.
“It’s a tough play," Harris said afterwards. "Obviously, I have to do a better job holding onto the ball in a critical situation like that. But, it’s a long season. I’m not going to let this mistake define me, so I am just ready to move forward.”
The fumble spoiled what was a terrific first game of the year in a lead role for the third-year back. He finished with 23 carries for 100 yards.
“At the end of the day, we lost the game and that’s what is most important to me," Harris said. "That’s what is most important to this team. [I] just have to be better. A lot of tough situations that came up. Obviously, the fumble at the end of the game was one of the hardest ones to overcome, but it’s part of the game.
"Like I said, I am not going to let this mistake define me. Time to move forward. Another challenge this upcoming week, so time to focus on [that].”
The Patriots fumbled four times in the loss, losing two of them.
