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10 takeaways a Patriots improve to 14-3 in win over Dolphins
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- 10 takeaways a Patriots improve to 14-3 in win over Dolphins
FOXBOROUGH – With a top seed on the horizon , the Patriots still had business to take care of on Sunday evening.
On paper, this looked like an easy matchup for Mike Vrabel’s team. The Patriots took on a Miami squad without a slew of their best players, notably Tyreek Hill , Jaylen Waddle , De’Von Achane, and Darren Waller . The Dolphins also started rookie quarterback Quin Ewers.
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Of course, matchups against the Dolphins have been rarely easy for the Patriots . Before this season, the Patriots lost eight of their previous 10 matchups against Miami. That’s why it was a big deal when the Patriots beat the Dolphins, in Miami, in Week 2.
It’s why Sunday’s regular-season finale meant something. This game signaled a new chapter for the franchise under Vrabel’s lead.
That was clear on Sunday as the Patriots delivered a decisive 38-10 win over the Dolphins.
The Patriots finish the 2025 season with a 14-3 record and likely head into the playoffs as the AFC’s No. 2 seed. They’re expected to welcome the Los Angeles Chargers next weekend in the wild-card round. (That would only change if Denver or Buffalo lost.)
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Here’s what went down:
Patriots run over Dolphins
Rhamondre Stevenson was a game captain on Sunday. Following the coin toss, the veteran proceeded to run all over the Dolphins en route to helping the Patriots to an early 7-0 lead.
The Patriots ran the ball three times in their opening drive and gained an eye-opening 70 yards. Stevenson started the game with a 9-yard rush. Then, on second-and-1, he ran for 56 yards, setting up the team with a first-and-goal from the 5-yard line.
TreVeyon Henderson ran in for a 5-yard touchdown on the next play at 13:14 of the first quarter.
Defense saved by aggressive call
The Patriots’ defense didn’t follow the offense’s lead when it came to starting fast. The unit struggled out of the gate against Miami rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers . However, an aggressive call by the Dolphins’ coaching staff bailed out the defense.
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Ewers started the game with a 9-yard bootleg run, and Miami was quick to pick up their first, first down on the next play. On third-and-6, Ewers completed a 20-yard pass to Theo Wese Jr. to extend the chains and put the Dolphins at the 28-yard line. The Dolphins picked up a third first down when Ollie Gordon II ran for 2 yards on third-and-1.
In his return, Milton Williams came up big by dropping Miami running back Jaylen Right for a loss of 6 yards. That set up a third-and-8, where Ewers hit Malik Washington for 7 yards. Instead of settling for the field goal, the Dolphins went for it on fourth-and-1. Ewers’ pass into the end zone was incomplete, and Miami turned the ball over on downs.
Patriots execute trick plays
The Patriots saw some heroics from Drake Maye and had some fun on their second drive, extending their lead to 14-0.
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This drive looked like it might end in a punt, but Maye shook off a would-be sack on third-and-6 to run for a first down. On the next play, the Patriots ran a flea flicker where Maye handed the ball to Henderson, who tossed it back to Maye. Then, the quarterback threw a 35-yard pass to Efton Chism.
Henderson ran for 13 yards and drew a face mask penalty on the next snap. With 55 seconds left in the first quarter, Maye lined up at receiver. That’s when Stevenson took the direct snap and ran in for a 2-yard touchdown.
Patriots defense struggled early
The Patriots defense struggled, again. This time, the Dolphins didn’t bail them out.
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Ewers started this drive with a 19-yard pass to Tahj Washington . Next, receiver Malik Washington took a handoff and ran 14 yards, crossing midfield. The Dolphins proceeded to run over the Patriots’ defense, setting up a first-and-goal. Two plays later, Malik Washington caught a 2-yard touchdown at 10:14 of the second quarter, and the Patriots led, 14-7.
Ewers was 8/9 for 71 yards and a touchdown through two drives.
Patriots defense stepped up
The Patriots’ defense got it together in Miami’s third drive.
After two long Dolphins drives, the Patriots held strong on third-and-1 when defensive tackle Cory Durden broke through the offensive line and stopped Ollie Gordon for a loss of a yard. That resulted in the Dolphins going three-and-out and punting for the first time.
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After scoring two quick touchdowns, the Patriots’ offense hit a lull. Following their three-and-out, the offense turned the ball over on downs. This drive saw the Patriots facing a third-and-2. However, Stefon Diggs was called for a false start. On third-and-7, Maye hit Hunter Henry for 6 yards. The offense stayed on the field, but Henderson was stuffed for no gain on fourth-and-1.
Miami took over at the 39-yard line. However, it wasn’t long before the offense had the ball back. Two plays in, at 4:39 of the second quarter, Jack Gibbens forced a fumble on Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright . Elijah Ponder recovered the ball to give Maye’s unit another shot.
Teams swap field goals
The Patriots’ defense stepped up, but you can’t say the same for the offense or special teams unit in the second quarter.
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Following the defense’s turnover, the Patriots failed to extend their lead. This was a poorly executed series as two penalties hurt the offense. Morgan Moses was flagged for holding on second-and-3. When it looked like the Patriots would get out of the hole, with Maye hitting Demario Douglas for a first down, Henry was called for a questionable offensive pass interference penalty on third-and-5.
That penalty negated the first down. It got worse at 1:42 of the second quarter when Zach Sieler blocked Andy Borregales ’ 38-yard field goal attempt. That play led to a 52-yard field goal for the Dolphins with 28 seconds left in the half.
Not to be outdone, Borregales hit a career-high, 59-yard field goal to give the Patriots a 17-10 lead with time expiring before the half.
Hawkins saves defense
It looked like the Patriots’ defense wouldn’t open up the second half on a positive note. That was until Jaylinn Hawkins stepped up.
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On the first play of the third quarter, Carlton Davis was flagged for a 27-yard defensive pass interference penalty. The defense pushed Miami backward; however, the Dolphins converted on third-and-17 when Ewers hit Greg Dulcich for a 20-yard screen pass.
That brought the Dolphins to the 25-yard line. It wasn’t long before they were in the red zone. However, this is when the Patriots stepped up, as Hawkins intercepted Ewers in the end zone at 11:44 of the third quarter.
Stevenson had a great night
Following the turnover, the Patriots’ offense received another boost from Stevenson en route to taking a 24-10 lead.
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On this drive, Maye hit Henry for a 29-yard gain to kick things off. Then, on third-and-2, Stevenson bounced off a would-be tackler and ran for 20 yards at the 22-yard line. Three plays later, Maye hit Stevenson for a 15-yard touchdown at 7:30 of the third quarter.
This series also saw Henderson surpass the 900-yard rushing mark on the season.
Stevenson wasn’t done. The veteran running back scored on a 35-yard touchdown run in the next series. That score gave the Patriots a 31-10 lead at 2:18 of the third quarter. Stevenson has six touchdowns in the last three games.
Diggs surpasses 1,000 yards
On Sunday, Stefon Diggs needed 30 yards to surpass the 1,000-yard mark and earned an extra $500,000.
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The receiver did just that on the final play of the third quarter when he hauled in a 34-yard pass from Maye. That catch gave Diggs 43 yards on the night and over the 1,000-yard mark for the seventh time in his NFL career. It also locked up an extra half million due to a contract incentive. He’s the Patriots’ first 1,000-yard receiver since Julian Edelman in 2019.
That catch also set up a 2-yard touchdown run for Henderson at 12:39 of the fourth quarter.
Drake Maye surpasses Tom Brady
Maye’s night was done after that, as backup Joshua Dobbs entered the game at 11:01 of the fourth quarter.
Maye completed 14-of-18 passes for 191 yards with a touchdown against Miami. He capped off a fantastic second NFL season by breaking Tom Brady’s franchise completion rate (68.9) record from 2007.
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Maye finished this season with a 72.0 completion percentage. That leads the NFL and sets a new team record. The quarterback finishes the 2025 season with 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
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