Due in part to icy conditions, the game remained scoreless until late in the fourth quarter, when the snowplow[a] operator was called in to clear a spot on the snowy field specifically for New England kicker John Smith so he could kick the game-winning field goal to give the Patriots a 3–0 win.

[4] The night before this game, heavy rains soaked the AstroTurf surface at New England's Schaefer Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

With 4:45 remaining, Patriots head coach Meyer motioned to equipment operator Mark Henderson to clear a spot on the field for placekicker John Smith.

[7][b] As Henderson drove across the field—his equipment was a tractor with a snow sweeper—he veered left and departed from the yard markers, clearing a patch of ground that gave Smith a clean spot from which to kick.

"[10] The Dolphins advanced the ball to just inside the Patriots' 20-yard line, but on a third-down-and-nine play, a pass from quarterback David Woodley was intercepted by linebacker Don Blackmon.

Source:[12] The equipment operator, Mark Henderson, a convict on work release, jokingly remarked, "What are they gonna do, throw me in jail?

In 2018, the rule was adjusted, making it "impermissible for the grounds crew or other team personnel to clear away snow", with a 15-yard penalty being immediately enforced for a violation.