MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The New England Patriots built an early two-score lead and then held on through a wild fourth quarter to beat the Miami Dolphins 33-27 on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium, dropping Miami to 0-2 on the season for the first time since 2020.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye threw for two first-half touchdowns and ran for another, helping New England survive a furious Miami rally that included a punt return and kickoff return touchdown in back-to-back plays.
The Patriots (1-1) controlled most of the first-half numbers, outgaining Miami 224 yards to 88, holding a 14-4 advantage in first downs and dominating time of possession 21:56 to 6:05.
Still, the Dolphins trailed just 15-14 at halftime after quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw touchdown passes to Jaylen Waddle and De’Von Achane.
Miami briefly took control in the third quarter.
Tagovailoa hit Tyreek Hill for 47 yards to spark a drive capped by Riley Patterson’s 40-yard field goal, giving Miami its first lead at 17-15.
Patterson added another kick from 44 yards to extend the advantage to 20-15 before Maye put New England back on top with a touchdown run and running back Rhamondre Stevenson’s two-point conversion to close the quarter ahead 23-20.
The game turned chaotic in the fourth quarter.
Dolphins receiver Malik Washington electrified the crowd with a 74-yard punt return touchdown to put Miami back in front 27-23.
But on the ensuing kickoff, Patriots returner Antonio Gibson went 90 yards untouched for the immediate answer, swinging the lead back to New England 30-27.
Tagovailoa had two more chances to rally Miami but was intercepted on fourth down by linebacker Marte Mapu with 2:12 left. It was his fourth turnover in the last two games.
Andy Borregales extended the Patriots’ lead to 33-27 with a 50-yard field goal.
Miami reached the New England 26 on Achane’s highlight juke after a short catch, but the drive ended with Tagovailoa taking a sack from defensive tackle Milton Williams on 4th-and-12.
Tagovailoa finished 26 of 32 for 315 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Maye went 19 of 23 for 230 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score.
Stevenson led the Patriots with 54 rushing yards and 88 receiving yards. Hill had six catches for 109 yards to lead all receivers. He also hauled in a reception of 30+ yards for the first time since Week 1 of the 2024 season vs. Jacksonville.
Sunday’s defeat marked Tua Tagovailoa’s first career loss to the Patriots, bringing his record against New England to 7-1. It also snapped Miami’s perfect start, giving the Dolphins their first 0-2 opening since 2020.
Game leaders and notes
- Passing: Drake Maye (NE) — 19/23, 230 yards, 2 TD; Tua Tagovailoa (MIA) — 25/30, 307 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
- Rushing: Rhamondre Stevenson (NE) — 11 carries, 54 yards; De’Von Achane (MIA) — 11 carries, 30 yards
- Receiving: Rhamondre Stevenson (NE) — 5 receptions, 88 yards; Tyreek Hill (MIA) — 6 receptions, 109 yards
- Bradley Chubb has recorded a sack in back-to-back games. It’s a big step for the defensive end who has ran into the injury bug over the last few seasons.
- Chop Robinson also recorded his first sack of the season. He sustained a knee injury in the second half but was able to get up and walk to the sidelines.
- Before kickoff, the Dolphins held a moment of silence recognizing the late Charlie Kirk, the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks and victims of violence, as announced over the stadium’s public address system.
- Miami also welcomed Hall of Fame offensive linemen Larry Little and Dwight Stephenson as honorary captains for the game.
The Dolphins, who opened the season with a loss at the Indianapolis Colts, will try to avoid an 0-3 start when they travel to face the unbeaten Buffalo Bills (2-0) on Thursday night.
Kickoff from Highmark Stadium is set for 8:15 p.m.
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