A victorious New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye accounted for three touchdowns in a win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday in Miami Gardens, Fla. File Photo by Mark Black/UPI | License Photo
Hard Rock Stadium’s field was a canvas for chaos Sunday, with the New England Patriots beating the Miami Dolphins by a brushstroke for their first win of 2025.
“I felt like we were willing to get into a street fight,” Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said. “We had a little lull and we didn’t pack it up and quit.”
The Patriots choked away a 12-point advantage as the Dolphins offense found rhythm before New England survived a frenetic second half to win 33-27. Boos turned to cheers and back to boos from the Dolphins’ crowd, which watched the home team drop to 0-2.
The matchup between AFC East rivals featured two-consecutive special teams touchdowns and four lead changes in the second half.
“It’s just a positive start,” said Patriots running back Antonio Gibson, who scored on a 90-yard kickoff return. “We had a rough one in Week 1. we came back in Week 2 and we responded.”
ANTONIO GIBSON RETURNS THE FAVOR@Patriots BACK IN FRONT pic.twitter.com/X0MsX8vfjK— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) September 14, 2025
The Patriots, who dropped their season opener to the Las Vegas Raiders, trailed the Dolphins 358-333 in yardage, but held a 122-61 edge in rushing yards.
Quarterback Drake Maye threw two first-quarter touchdown passes, finding wide receivers Mack Hollins and Kayshon Boutte. He also reached the end zone with a 6-yard rushing score.
“We had the opportunity to win the game and we robbed it from ourselves,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said.
The Patriots out-gained the Dolphins 143-18 in the first quarter. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins responded by outscoring the visitors 20-3 with a surge that carried into the third quarter, but couldn’t hang on for their first win of the season.
Kicker Riley Patterson made two field goals in the third quarter to give the Dolphins their first lead of the day. Momentum rabidly shifted down the stretch, keeping the Hard Rock Stadium crowd on the edge of their seats. Maye’s 6-yard scramble gave the lead back to the Patriots in the final seconds of the third quarter.
️ MALIK WASHINGTON 74-YARDS TO THE HOUSE! pic.twitter.com/oQpz1wlcYO— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 14, 2025
Wide receiver Malik Washington brought life back to Dolphins fans with a 74-yard punt return for a score midway through the fourth. But Gibson didn’t give them much time to celebrate, as he scored on his 90-yard return just seconds later.
“I was just telling myself, ‘make a play A.G. Make a play,'” Gibson said.
Linebacker Marte Mapu intercepted Tagovailoa on the next drive. Kicker Andy Borregales made a 53-yard field goal on the resulting possession for the final points of the night.
The Dolphins nearly took a late lead when Tagovailoa connected with De’Von Achane on a throw down the left flank, but the running back stepped out of bounds before reaching the end zone.
Patriots defensive tackle Milton Williams sealed the victory with a fourth-down sack of Tagovailoa with less than a minute remaining.
“When we have the opportunity to go down there and score, we’ve got to come up with that,” Tagovailoa said.
Williams’ sack was his second of the game and the Patriots’ fifth sack of the Dolphins quarterback. Linebackers K’Lavon Chaisson, Harold Landry and Robert Spillane also sacked Tagovailoa.
Maye completed 19 of 23 passes for 230 yards, in addition to his touchdown trio. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson totaled 142 yards from scrimmage, including a career-long 55-yard catch.
New England's defense ices it. pic.twitter.com/TQ5Cn83JnW— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2025
Tagovailoa completed 26 of 32 passes for 315 yards, two scores and an interception. Achane totaled 122 yards from scrimmage and a score. Tyreek Hill hauled in six catches for a game-high 109 yards.
Fellow wide receiver Jaylen Waddle logged five grabs for 68 yards and a score. Linebackers Chop Robinson, Jordyn Brooks and Bradley Chubb each sacked Maye in the loss.
The Dolphins (0-2) will face the Buffalo Bills (2-0) on Thursday in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Patriots (1-1) will host the Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) in Week 3.
“You’ve got to learn from this game,” Tagovailoa said. “You’ve got to move on quick and that’s what it is.”
