Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
9 takeaways from Patriots’ 33-27 wild win over Dolphins
Drake Maye was sharp (19-of-23, 3 total TDs) and Rhamondre Stevenson dominated (142 yards) in a wacky game in South Florida.
The Patriots secured their first win of the 2025 season on Sunday with an eventful matchup against the Dolphins, with New England ultimately holding on for a 33-27 win.
Here are 10 takeaways from an up-and-down afternoon for Mike Vrabel’s team:
Patriots win a wild one
It was far from easy, but the Patriots left Hard Rock Stadium with a win for the first time since September 2019 — back when Tom Brady and Antonio Brown were on the field.
It was a wacky game that featured….
- A much-needed bounce-back showing on offense from Drake Maye.
- Another leaky performance from New England’s defense.
- Back-to-back special-teams touchdowns from New England and Miami.
- A fortunate break: De’Von Achane stepped out of bounds, negating another “Miami Miracle” in the fourth quarter ….
The Patriots did enough to secure a 33-27 win — Mike Vrabel’s first as Patriots head coach.
Advertisement:
It stood as the first time that the Patriots have scored 30 points in a game since Oct. 16, 2022 — back when Bailey Zappe was the team’s starting QB.
Drake Maye, Rhamondre Stevenson bounce back
After a brutal showing in the second half of New England’s Week 1 loss to the Raiders, there were plenty of eyes on Drake Maye and his command of Josh McDaniels’ offense going into a road matchup against the Dolphins.
Based on what played out at Hard Rock Stadium, it looks as though the second-year QB may not have as much on his plate as we all initially feared.
Advertisement:
Maye quieted some of his doubters on Sunday with one of the best games of his young NFL career, commanding a Patriots offense that routinely made plays against Miami’s defense.
Maye was sharp in Florida, completing 19 of his 23 throws for 230 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He also rushed 10 times for 31 yards and another score.
It should be worth noting that the 2025 Dolphins’ defense isn’t exactly the “Legion of Boom” or “Steel Curtain” Steelers of the ’70s, with Miami giving up points on 13 straight drives dating back to the 2024 season.
Still, Maye, McDaniels, and the rest of New England’s offense capitalized against the matchup in front of them — with McDaniels’ calling a balanced offensive attack both on the ground and through the air and Maye consistently hitting his targets.
Even as New England’s defense wilted for a majority of the game, Maye helped keep the Patriots in a back-and-forth contest — with New England generating 333 total yards of offense and converting on 7-of-12 third-down opportunities.
Maye dominated for a majority of Sunday’s game, but it was also a welcome response from Rhamondre Stevenson. After compiling just 28 total yards in Week 1 against the Raiders, Stevenson was a force at Hard Rock Stadium — finishing as the team’s leading rusher and receiver with 142 yards of offense.
Advertisement:
New England will have to clean things up on both defense and special teams, but Maye’s response after a rough Week 1 should be a welcome sight for Patriots fans.
New England’s defense has continued to underwhelm
The Patriots’ defense only coughed up 20 points to the Raiders in Week 1, but the underlying numbers were ugly — with Las Vegas generating nine plays of 20-plus yards in that win.
Those struggles continued on Sunday against the Dolphins. Be it the loss of New England’s top cornerback in Christian Gonzalez, New England’s zone coverage, defensive coordinator Terrell Williams’ healthy-related absence, or a lack of talent across the rest of the roster, New England’s defense has gone from an area of strength to a liability in short order.
What could have easily been a comfortable win for New England given Maye’s strong start turned into a shootout after a Miami offense — that scored just eight points against the Colts in Week 1 — shredded the Patriots’ secondary.
Miami actually finished the game with more total yards (358) than New England, with a crushing loss for the Patriots seemingly only avoided after Achane stepped out of bounds on what could have been a go-ahead score with just over a minute to go in the fourth.
Advertisement:
New England maintained possession for 22:32 of the first half — with Miami holding just 7:28 of possession before halftime. Despite those lopsided numbers, New England only held a 15-14 lead after two quarters, with Tua Tagovailoa completing 9-of-10 throws for 117 yards and two touchdowns.
Miami’s second touchdown of the afternoon was particularly brutal, with the Dolphins reeling off a six-play, 77-yard drive in just 1:23 — with Achane finding the end zone for a 29-yard score after slipping past New England’s coverage options both at linebacker and in the secondary.
Things didn’t improve for a defense that had inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr calling plays in the second half.
Miami took its first lead of the day with a 40-yard field goal in the third quarter — the end result of a drive where New England gave up a 48-yard catch to Tyreek Hill on a 3rd-and-13 sequence.
The next drive led to another three points for Miami, with a Riley Patterson 44-yard field goal capping off a nine-play, 35-yard drive by Miami.
New England’s defense did tighten up at times in crunch time — be it two well-timed sacks from Harold Landry and Milton Williams, to go along with an interception from Marte Mapu.
But as evidenced by Achane’s near-touchdown in fourth — one brought on by dreadful tackling — New England’s defense still has a lot of work to do.
A quick start for Maye and the offense
After either punting or turning the ball over on five of their six drives of the second half against the Raiders, Maye and the Patriots’ offense got to work in short order on Sunday in South Florida.
Advertisement:
For the first time since the 2020 season, New England scored a touchdown on their opening drive — with Maye completing 4-of-5 throws for 50 yards and a touchdown throw to Mack Hollins.
After abandoning the run for most of Week 1 against Las Vegas, McDaniels dialed up three straight runs to open the game, with Vrabel opting to go for it on a gutsy 4th-and-3 play in Miami territory — with Maye hitting Stefon Diggs for a 10-yard gain to move the chains.
Just three plays later, Maye hit Hollins for an 8-yard touchdown to give New England an early lead.
Maye and the Patriots were at it again on their second drive of the afternoon, with Maye leading the charge on an 11-play, 75-yard drive that ended when Maye dropped a ball in the bucket for Kayshon Boutte on a 16-yard touchdown.
Through their first two drives, New England was averaging 6.8 yards per play.
Even though New England’s third drive of the first half ended with a field goal from Borregales, Maye still led the Patriots on a 15-play, 81-yard drive — with Maye entering halftime completing 12 of 14 passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns.
Stevenson steps up in second half
Things were going south for New England for most of the third quarter, with the Patriots’ offense going three-and-out and Tagovailoa continuing to pick apart Vrabel’s defense.
With New England in desperate need of a play, Maye and Stevenson delivered in the closing minutes of the third.
Advertisement:
Staring at a 3rd-and-3 from New England’s own 24-yard line, Maye stepped up in the pocket and delivered a 55-yard throw to Steveson — flipping the field and representing the longest throw of Maye’s NFL career.
Just two plays later, Maye scrambled past Matthew Judon and ran into the end zone for a six-yard touchdown — with the subsequent two-point conversion by Stevenson giving New England a 23-20 lead.
New England’s next offensive drive stalled out after a brutal snap from veteran center Garrett Bradbury, but Stevenson at least gave his team a fighting chance after converting on a 3rd-and-13 sequence with a 14-yard screen pass.
New England’s offense did more than enough in this game to secure a comfortable win — even if the end result was far from it.
Patriots, Dolphins trade special teams touchdowns
An already hectic afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium was punctuated by both New England and Miami trading special-teams scores in the fourth quarter.
Miami seized momentum after Malik Washington took a punt from Bryce Baringer and took it to the house for a 74-yard score.
But the Dolphins’ 27-23 lead was short-lived, as New England answered on the very next play when Antonio Gibson took a kickoff 90 yards back for the touchdown — giving the Patriots a lead that it did not relinquish.
Patriots might have a kicker problem
The Patriots have struggled to find a franchise kicker via the NFL Draft over the last five years, whiffing on special-teams targets like Justin Rohrwasser and Chad Ryland.
Advertisement:
And so far, 2025 sixth-round pick Andy Borregales hasn’t inspired a lot of confidence in his efforts toward anchoring New England’s special-teams unit for the foreseeable future.
After missing a 40-yard field goal during New England’s Week 1 loss to the Raiders, Borregales labored once again on Sunday against the Dolphins — missing both extra points on New England’s first two touchdowns of the game.
Borregales did regain some faith by connecting on a 53-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to make it a 33-27 game, but his next kick missed the landing zone — giving Miami starting field position at its own 40-yard line with the game on the line.
New England’s porous defense might have been the most concerning development in Week 2, but Borregales has continued to showcase a lot of inconsistency on an Patriots roster that might be playing in a lot of one-score games this season.
Despite Borregales’ struggles, it was a strong response from Baringer on Sunday — headlined by a 71-yard punt midway through the third quarter that was delivered from New England’s end zone.
Patriots bailed out by Achane’s miscue
Borregales’ poor kickoff had Miami working with prime field position as they looked to claw back from a six-point deficit.
It looked as though Miami was set to deal New England a devastating defeat after Achane slipped past several tackles and ran into the end zone on a 44-yard touchdown.
But Achane actually stepped out of bounds at Miami’s own 26-yard line, negating the score. New England’s defense ultimately held in crunch time, with Williams ending the game on fourth down by bringing down Tagovailoa with a sack.
Penalties loom large
New England’s defense left a lot to be desired on Sunday. But the Patriots were also undone by several lapses in execution when it came to penalties.
Advertisement:
A potential interception by safety Jaylinn Hawkins was wiped out in the first quarter after K’Lavon Chaisson was lined up in the neutral zone — with the edge rusher whistled for a similar infraction later in the game.
New England’s rookies also had a rough go of it with flags, as Will Campbell (false start) and Jared Wilson (hold) stalled some drives on the offensive line — with TreVeyon Henderson also knocked for three holding calls on a rough afternoon in pass protection.
Of the 12 penalties whistled against New England, six were against rookies. But the Patriots veterans were also prone to missteps, with Morgan Moses getting hit with a false start in the fourth quarter that squandered a 4th-and-2 play by New England.
New England’s 12 penalties cost them 75 yards in this game.
———
LIVE UPDATES
4:08: Milton Williams gets the sack to end this one. Patriots are going to get the win in Miami.
What a game. More to come here at Boston.com.
4:02: Wow. Achane seeming scores a go-ahead score for Miami after some AWFUL tacking — but he stepped out of bounds. Huge break. Miami starting at their 26.
3:57: Another false start from Morgan Moses ruins a 4th-and-2 sequence.
New England goes with a 53-yard kick — that Borregales connects on.
It’s 33-27 Patriots with 1:47 to go.
3:50: Huge sack from Harold Landry to force a 4th and 9 for Miami.
And then Marte Mapu seals the deal with an interception with just 2:12 to go.
Maye and the Patriots take over.
Advertisement:
3:40: What even is this game? Antonio Gibson answers with a 90-yard kickoff return TD.
New England takes the 30-27 lead after Borregales hits the extra point.
Wow.
3:36: That’s brutal from New England.
Malik Washington gives Miami a 27-23 lead off a 74-yard punt return TD. It’s 27-23 Miami with 7:18 left in the game.
3:31: An awful snap from Garrett Bradbury stalls out a drive, with New England staring at a 3rd-and-26. Patriots are punting.
3:29: A monster game from Rhamondre Stevenson. He picks up a first down and a 3rd-and-13 off a screen.
3:23: New England’s defense gets a much-needed stop. Miami punting.
3:20: Another 15-yard play for Miami, this one off a catch from Jaylen Waddle.
3:17: End Third: Patriots lead, 23-20.
3:15: TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS. Maye caps off the drive with a 6-yard touchdown run. Stevenson converts on a 2-point conversion.
It’s a 23-20 lead for New England.
3:12: What a play by Rhamondre Stevenson. On a 3rd-down play, Maye hits Steveson for 58-yard gain.
Some much-needed life for New England’s offense. That was the longest pass of Maye’s career.
3:08: Riley Patterson hits a 44-yard field goal. It’s 20-15 Miami with 3:37 to go in the third.
3:07: Looks like Barmore and Davis are staying on the bench.
3:04: Now Carlton Davis and Christian Barmore is hampered by injuries. Not good.
2:59: Rookie safety Craig Woodson is down after that tackle against
2:53: Yet another explosive play allowed by New England, this one a 23-yard catch from Waddle. Vrabel challenging the call.
2:48: Another holding call against TreVeyon Henderson, who has struggled in pass protection in this one.
Advertisement:
2:46: Maye sacked, and the Patriots offense goes 3-and-out to open the second half. New England’s defense needs to respond.
2:40: That Hill catch was a killer, as Miami takes the lead with a 40-yard field goal. It’s 17-15 Dolphins.
2:36: This Patriots defense is seriously missing Christian Gonzalez. On a 3rd and 13, Tua hits Tyureek Hill for 48 yards. Brutal.
2:19: HALFTIME: Patriots lead, 15-14. Maye and the offense have been stellar, but the defense has left a lot to be desired — as has Borregales’ kicking.
2:15: That’s a brutal response by New England’s defense.
The Dolphins shred New England on a six-play, 77-yard touchdown drive in 1 minute, 23 seconds. De’Von Achane finds plenty of room in the middle of the field on a slant route and scores from 29 yards out. 15-14 Patriots.
2:05: Maye and the Patriots’ offense have dictated today’s game so far.
2:03: Borregales hits the 22-yard field goal. It’s 15-7 Patriots with 1:58 left in the half.
2:00: An extended Patriots drive stalls out on the 4-yard line. Here comes Borregales.
1:57: A nice bounce-back game so far from Rhamondre Stevenson. He’s got 57 yards on 7 rushes.
1:51: Huge penalty in favor of New England. Austin Hooper draws an illegal contact penalty on a 2nd-and-25. Gives them an automatic first down.
1:42: The Dolphins are on the board. After gashing New England’s defense on the ground, Tua hits Jaylen Waddle for a 16-yard touchdown.
It’s now a 12-7 game. Those Borregales’ misses will loom large if Miami wakes up offensively.
1:35: End First: 12-0 Patriots. A great showing for New England, beyond Borregales’ two misses.
Advertisement:
1:30: The good news? Another Patriots touchdown.
The bad news? Andy Borregales missed another extra point. Yikes.
1:28: TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS. What a touchdown catch from Kayshon Boutte.
He reels in a 16-yard touchdown off a go ball from Maye. What a catch.
12-0 Patriots.
1:23: Henderson with a first-down conversion with a 15-yard pickup off the wheel route.
1:22: Will Campbell whistled for a false start. Third called against him so far this season.
1:18: Robert Spillane breaks up a third-down throw from Tua. Dolphins punting.
1:16: Jaylinn Hawkins picked off Tua, but the turnover is wiped out because of offsetting penalties. Chaisson was lining up in the neutral zone. OOof.
1:13: Patriots went 68 yards on 10 plays on that drive.
1:11: TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS. New England goes down the field and Maye hits Mack Hollins for an 8-yard touchdown. An emphatic fist bump from Mike Vrabel.
BUT, Andy Borregales’ struggles continue — as he misses the XP.
6-0 Patriots.
1:08: Patriots opt to stay on the field on a 4th and 3 on Miami’s 43-yard line — and Maye hits Diggs for the conversion. Gutsy call.
12:58: Hunter Henry calls heads, its tails. Miami wins the toss and defers. Patriots offense up first.
12:54: Diggs leading the charge in the pregame warmup.
12:07: Warmups are underway in South Florida:
11:45: With Caedan Wallace inactive, Drake Maye is the only player for New England’s 2024 draft class that is active today for New England. Yikes.
11:40: The inactives have already been announced for New England.
Fans will have to wait a bit longer for Efton Chism’s debut, Keion White has been sidelined this week due to an illness. Gonzalez’s absence isn’t a surprise given his lengthy hamstring injury.
Advertisement:
The good news is that veteran tackle Morgan Moses seems to be good to go after being a bit of a question mark going into the game. Had he been sidelined, it would have been 2025 seventh-round pick Marcus Bryant slotting into the lineup.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com