New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Miami Gardens, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Miami Gardens, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Patriots got the expected result in their 24-19 win over the Dolphins, even if their process took some unexpected twists and turns.
After shockingly trailing 13-3 at the half, the Patriots’ offense turned on the boosters in the second half, scoring touchdowns in three straight possessions on the back of quarterback Drake Maye.
Even with the slow start, Maye was nearly perfect in soggy Miami conditions, throwing just four incompletions while accounting for three touchdowns.
The Patriots’ defense struggled in the first half, even with a fully healthy secondary. They settled in the second half, allowing one scoring drive.
The Patriots’ defense made quick work of the Dolphins’ offense, forcing a three-and-out on the game’s opening drive.
Marcus Jones’ 27-yard punt return helped set up good field position, but the Patriots’ offense had to settle for a 34-yard field goal from Andy Borregales to take a 3-0 lead.
The Patriots’ defense picked up two sacks to force another three-and-out. That came after the Dolphins started their second drive from their own 47-yard line after a long opening return.
The Patriots’ 15th turnover of the season came when wide receiver Efton Chism lost a fumble. Dolphins rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez hammered the ball out, giving his team the ball at the Patriots’ 19-yard line when cornerback JuJu Brents recovered. The Dolphins couldn’t pick up a first down but tied the score 3-3 with a 31-yard field goal.
Corey Kiner, who’s the top backup at running back with TreVeyon Henderson, ripped off a 20-yard gain on the first play of the Patriots’ next drive, but the offense couldn’t get anything going after that and were forced to punt the ball away after left guard Walter Rouse was beat on a stunt for a sack by former Patriots pass rusher Josh Uche.
The Dolphins finally picked up their first first down of the game late in the first quarter. They picked up three more on the same drive before taking a 6-3 lead, settling for a 52-yard field goal from kicker Zane Gonzalez.
The Patriots couldn’t match the Dolphins’ field goal with Borregales missing wide right on a 40-yard attempt.
Dolphins QB Malik Willis picked apart the Patriots’ fully healthy secondary on an 11-play, 70-yard scoring drive. Willis found wide receiver Malik Washington for a 1-yard touchdown pass with 8 seconds left in the first half to extend the Dolphins’ lead to 13-3.
The Patriots and Dolphins traded punts before the Patriots cut into the Dolphins’ lead with a 43-yard touchdown pass from Maye to wide receiver Kyle Williams to make the score 13-10. The officials initially ruled the pass incomplete before Mike Vrabel successfully challenged for the catch and score.
After the Dolphins punted, Maye led the Patriots on a 13-play, 73-yard touchdown drive that culminated with a 2-yard option run TD from the QB.
The Patriots got the ball back with safety Kevin Byard’s first interception of the season. Willis’ pass deflected off the helmet of Patriots defensive tackle DaQuan Jones and into Byard’s arms. They quickly capitalized with a 48-yard touchdown pass from Maye to DeMario Douglas.
The Dolphins put together an 11-play, 45-yard drive but didn’t finish with any points after Gonzalez missed a 43-yard field goal.
The Patriots were forced to punt, and the Dolphins responded by cutting the Patriots’ lead to 24-19 with a 35-yard touchdown catch by Kevin Coleman Jr. when cornerback Charles Woods slipped and fell in coverage. The Dolphins kicked onside, but it was recovered by the Patriots.
QB Drake Maye: The Patriots’ offense started slow, but Maye wound up 16-of-20 for 199 yards with two passing touchdowns, plus five carries for 8 yards with a rushing touchdown.
And that was all while Maye was pressured on roughly half of his dropbacks.
Oh, and he didn’t have his top three wide receivers, or tight end Hunter Henry for most of the game.
DT Cory Durden: Durden recorded the first 1.5 sacks of his career in the first quarter. He also had two impressive run stuffs for two tackles for loss.
RB Rhamondre Stevenson: With Henry and the Patriots’ top three wide receivers all injured, Stevenson became the Patriots’ offense for stretches of the game, rushing 18 times for 77 yards while catching two passes for 6 yards. He also recovered the onside kick.
OLB Gabe Jacas: The Patriots’ second-round pick had 1.5 of the Patriots’ five sacks before leaving the game.
TE Eli Raridon: The rookie tight end had two false starts. He caught just one pass on four targets for 5 yards while seeing a heavier workload.
WR Efton Chism: The Patriots’ young wide receiver lost a fumble on a 4-yard catch in the first quarter. The turnover allowed the Dolphins to kick a 31-yard field goal.
CB Charles Woods: Woods slipped and fell in coverage on a long touchdown, which almost put the Dolphins back into the game late.
LG Walter Rouse: Rouse allowed a sack in the first half and was replaced by Ben Brown in the second half.
• The Patriots started outside linebacker Elijah Ponder at off-ball linebacker. Here were the defensive starters: DT Milton Williams, DT Cory Durden, DT Christian Barmore, LB Elijah Ponder, OLB Dre’Mont Jones, LB Robert Spillane, LB Christian Elliss, CB Christian Gonzalez, CB Carlton Davis, S Kevin Byard, S Craigh Woodson
• Walter Rouse started over Ben Brown at left guard. Here’s the full list of offensive starters: QB Drake Maye, RB Rhamondre Stevenson, WR Kyle Williams, WR Efton Chism III, TE Tanner Arkin, TE Eli Raridon, LT Will Campbell, LG Walter Rouse, C Jared Wilson, RG Matt Pryor and RT Morgan Moses.
• Ben Brown replaced Rouse to begin the second half.
• Henry injured his foot in the first half, leading to more snaps for Arkin, Raridon and Cameron Latu.
• Pryor had another solid showing. PFF didn’t chart him with a pressure. Campbell also blocked well, surrendering just one hurry.
• Elliss led the team with four pressures. He also had four defensive stops but was flagged for unnecessary roughness for laying out Washington over the middle.