But after that quick touchdown drive, it was Miami that took control of the game and outgained Dallas 128-8 in the second quarter.
Another Sanders field goal and a 4-yard touchdown pass from Tagovailoa to running back Raheem Mostert just before halftime gave Miami a 13-7 cushion at the break.
The Dolphins got stopped on third-and-9 to open the second half, but a 58-yard punt by Jake Bailey pinned the ball all the way down to Dallas’ two-yard line. The Cowboys gained just one yard in three plays and kicked right back to Miami.
Sanders then connected on a 54-yard field goal to put the Dolphins back up nine, 16-7 with 8:59 to play in the third quarter.
It was the first of four straight field goals – two from each team – in the second half.
Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey answered with a 43-yard kick to cut Dallas’ deficit to 16-10 with 5:28 to play in the third quarter.
A 35-yard field goal from Sanders followed by a 33-yard boot from Aubrey kept Miami’s lead at six points with 12:31 remaining in the game.
The Dolphins opportunity to regain a two-score lead came and went in three plays and the defense returned to the field.
That’s when Prescott and the Cowboys offense embarked on a lengthy 17-play, 69-yard scoring drive that took up 7:39 of game time.
Backed up deep in the red zone, it looked like Miami’s defense was going to come away with a crucial stop, but a pass interference penalty wiped away what would have been a fourth-down incompletion.
It gave Dallas first-and-goal at the 1-yard line. Linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel and Bradley Chubb then sacked Prescott for a seven-yard loss on first down and again, it appeared as if the Dolphins might hold on.
But on Dallas’ seventh play inside the Miami 7-yard line, Prescott found wide receiver Brandin Cooks in the left-corner of the end zone for an eight-yard touchdown pass to take a 20-19 lead with 3:27 left in the game.
Tagovailoa, who completed 24-of-37 passes (64.9 pct.) for 293 yards and one touchdown, then orchestrated his eighth-career game-winning drive (12 plays and 64 yards) and for the second time in two years, Sanders used his leg to send Miami to the postseason.
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