The Miami Dolphins hosted the New England Patriots in a 2025 Week 2 AFC East matchup. Both teams came into Week 2 with Week 1 losses on the record, looking to bounce back against their division rivals.
The game proved to be a high-scoring, back-and-forth battle between the rivals. Neither team played perfect football, but they both were able to put together drives when needed. The Dolphins looked better than they did against the Indianapolis Colts last week, but the Patriots were still able to come away with the win and push the Dolphins to 0-2 on the year.
Final Score
Patriots 33 – 27 Dolphins
Recap and Reactions
First Quarter
Patriots first possession
The Dolphins won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. The Patriots started their drive with three straight runs, gaining 18 yards before linebacker Bradley Chubb sacked quarterback Drake Maye. The offense turned to Maye’s arm for most of the drive from then on, with the quarterback going 4-for-5 for 50 yards, including a 13-yard pass to a wide open wide receiver Mack Hollins for the score. The extra point hit the upright and was no good.
The Dolphins defense is just getting crushed early this year. They have not stopped anyone – literally. The Colts scored on every drive last week, the Patriots scored on their first drive this week. They forced a fourth down attempt, but they cannot stop anyone. Even with the sack from Chubb, the team is just being torn apart on every drive.
Patriots 6-0.
Dolphins first possession
The Dolphins started the drive with a seven-yard run from running back De’Von Achane, but then did absolutely nothing. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw a miserable interception, but was lucky that offsetting penalties negated the turnover. He threw an incomplete pass on the re-done third-down play, and Miami punted on a three-and-out possession.
Right now, the Dolphins do not look like a team who can compete in the NFL. They cannot stop opposing offenses and they cannot do anything on offense themselves. They look completely out of sync, and they do not seem to have a response from last week’s misery. The boos are already raining down on the team.
Patriots second possession
New England took it straight at the Dolphins on their second drive, starting with the run, then turning to the pass, and adding in Maye scrambles for chunks of yards. Maye picked up 19 yards on two runs, including a 13-yarder on 3rd-and-6 mid-way through the drive. On 3rd-and-6 from the Miami 16-yard line, Maye found wide receiver Kayshon Boutte for the score. The Patriots missed the extra point for the second time today.
That is now nine-straight opponent drives that have resulted in scores against Miami right now. They have yet to force a turnover or a punt. The defense cannot stop anyone.
Patriots 12-0.
Dolphins second possession
The possession started with a nine-yard run from Achane. Tagovailoa then threw a four-yard pass to fullback Alec Ingold for a first down as the quarter ended.
Second Quarter
Dolphins second possession (continued)
Miami opened the quarter with a backward pass rush from Achane for nine yards, then converted on 2nd-and-1 with a 13-yard pass to Hill. Suddenly, the Dolphins are using their cheat motion and getting the ball to their playmakers. Three straight runs, with Achane picking up four yards, wide receiver Malik Washington taking an end around for 18 yards, and rookie running back Ollie Gordon up the middle for eight yards, led to a Tagovailoa pass to wide receiver Jaylen Waddle for a 17-yard touchdown.
There was at least a hint of what the Dolphins’ offense should be on that drive. The cheat motion and multiple movements before the snap to create defensive confusion finally showed up, and the offense found success behind it. Good solid drive for Miami – but one they have to backup with multiple scores on the next few possessions.
Patriots 12-7
Patriots third possession
The Patriots opened their drive with two passes to tight end Austin Hooper gaining 16 yards on the catches. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson then picked up 21 yards on a run straight up the middle, with linebacker Tyrel Dodson and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick both missing tackles. Linebacker Chop Robinson sacked Maye on the next play, with an offensive holding call on the next snap backing the Patriots into a 2nd-and-25. Miami was called for illegal contact, however, giving New England a free first down. The Patriots returned to the ground game, including scrambles and quarterback keepers from Maye, for most of the next plays. On 3rd-and-Goal from the Miami four-yard line, Maye targeted tight end Hunter Henry, but the pass was broken up by rookie safety Dante Trader, Jr. After the two-minute warning break, the Patriots settled for a field goal.
The defense allowed points, but they seemed like they were starting to put it together. Can they actually stop someone from scoring? Maybe? One day?
Patriots 15-7.
Dolphins third possession
Miami started their drive with 1:56 remaining in the half, and suddenly looked like an effective offense. The drive started with a 22-yard pass from Tagovailoa to wide receiver Tyreek Hill on an out route to the sideline. Then Achane added four yards up the middle before Tagovailoa threw to Waddle for five yards, Achane for 12 yards, and Hill for five yards. On 2nd-and-5 with 41 seconds remaining in the half, Tagovailoa threw a slant to Achane, who worked through the defense for the 29-yard touchdown. Miami initially lined up for two, but a false start penalty backed them up and they settled for the extra point.
Where has this offense been? This looks more like the 2023 Dolphins offense. Let’s go.
Patriots 15-14.
Patriots fourth possession
The Patriots knelt to kill the clock after the kickoff.
That counts as a drive not ending in points!
Halftime Thoughts
The Dolphins might finally be waking up. They are not playing great football, but they are at least showing something. They have some rhythm and they are trying to work out of this funk. The offense is starting to click. The defense started to look like they could make a stop.
Achane is continuing to become a weapon on offense, both through the air and on the ground. He has five carries for 22 yards rushing, along with three receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown through the air.
There are a ton of things Miami needs to fix in the second half and for this year – especially with the Buffalo Bills looming on Thursday – but at least they are starting to look like an NFL team again.
Third Quarter
Dolphins fourth possession
Miami started the second half with the ball. They tried to return to the team that gets in their own way with multiple penalties on the drive, but a 47-yard pass from Tagovailoa to Hill on 3rd-and-13 overcame the early mistakes. An 11-yard reception from wide receiver Malik Washington on 3rd-and-7 was negated when Washington was called for illegal motion, turning upfield prior to the snap. Miami had to settle for a field goal, but the points pushed Miami into their first lead of the year.
It was not perfect, and the Dolphins still are struggling to get out of their own way, but they did score points and take the lead. Now the defense needs to finally show up.
Dolphins 17-15
Patriots fifth possession
New England was held to a three-and-out after Stevenson picked up three yards on first down, an incomplete pass on second down, and a sack by linebacker Jordyn Brooks.
There we go! The defense made a stop! Finally! We are only in the third quarter of the second game before we saw an opposing punter. But, now the offense needs to add more points here and start to put this game away.
Dolphins fifth possession
Miami opened the play with a run for no yards from Achane, but then Tagovailoa was able to find Waddle for a 23-yard gain; New England challenged the catch but the play stood after the review. After a couple of runs from Washington, Tagovailoa converted on 3rd-and-5, finding Hill for nine yards. Penalties from both team led to a 1st-and-15 for Miami at the Patriots’ 24-yard line. Miami gained no yards on a pass to Achane, then picked up four yards on an Achane catch. On 3rd-and-11, Tagovailoa was sacked as his foot slipped on his attempt to avoid the pressue. Miami settled for a 44-yard field goal.
On the Patriots’ challenge, I think the key was the on-field call. Waddle caught the ball, then as he hit the ground, his elbow and forearm roll with the ball. You cannot see the ball hit the field, if it did; you can argue it was on his forearm and never touched the ground. Because of the on-field call, there was not enough to overturn it. The drive extended the lead as needed, but three points are not enough. The defense needs to tighten up again and get the ball back to the offense.
Patriots sixth possession
The Dolphins defense looked like it did what was needed, forcing the Patriots into a 3rd-and-3 and linebacker Jaelan Phillips getting to Maye immediately after the snap. Instead, Maye stepped up and found Stevenson running down the sideline for a 55-yard gain. Two plays later, Maye avoided the rush of linebacker Matthew Judon and scrambled into the endzone for the score. The Patriots converted the two-point try.
Well that was disappointing. The Dolphins had all of the momentum and with one pass, New England grabbed it back. The offense needs to come out in control here, or all that work in the middle of the game will be for naught.
Patriots 23-20
Fourth Quarter
Dolphins sixth possession
The kickoff after the Patriots touchdown ran out the clock on the third quarter, giving Miami the ball at the start of the fourth period. After an Achane run for no yards, Tagovailoa found Waddle for 15 yards. That, however, was the extent of the drive, with an incomplete pass, a two-yard Achane run, and a coverage sack on Tagovailoa who had to run out of bound, leading to a Miami punt.
Not the answer the Dolphins needed. The pressure on the sack was immediate and forced Tagovailoa to the offensive left, with Waddle wide open all the way across the field.
Patriots seventh possession
New England started at their own 13 yard line, then backed up to their own eight following a false start penalty. The worked out to the 19-yard line, but then a bad snap forced Maye to fall on the loose ball back at the eight-yard line and set up 3rd-and-26. After a one-yard gain on third down, the Patriots were forced to punt, with Washington returning the kick 74 yards for the touchdown.
Great defensive drive for Miami and an outstanding return from Washington. Is that the spark that finally lets Miami put this game away?
Dolphins 27-23
Patriots eighth possession
New England running back Antonio Gibson returned the kickoff 90 yards for the touchdown.
Back-to-back returns, one by each team, for the score.
Patriots 30-27
Dolphins seventh possession
Miami’s seventh drive was one step forward, one step back. The first two plays picked up 24 yards, then the team lost two yards before gaining seven. Then they had a delay of game for a five-yard penalty, followed by Tagovailoa overthrowing Hill when the receiver would still be running if it were completed. A fa;se start penalty followed, then Hill picked up 13 yards. A Tagvoailoa sack brought up 4th-and-9, with Miami choosing to go for it. Under pressure, Tagovailoa scrambled and tried to force a pass, only to have it picked off.
With just over two minutes remaining and down by three, the Dolphins defense has to find a way to get the ball back for the offense. That was an ugly possession. It felt like the team was starting to panic, and everyone was trying to do just a little too much. Painful to watch.
Patriots ninth possession
New England opened the drive with a run from Stevenson for two yards, leading into the two-minute warning. After the break, the Patriots threw an incomplete pass, then gained six yards on a pass from Maye to wide receiver Stefon Diggs. On 4th-and-2, the Patriots lined up to try to convert but were called for a false start. The Patriots then elected for a 53-yard field goal attempt, extending the lead to six.
The defense held, but there is not a lot of time remaining for the offense – especially if the offense from the last drive shows up again.
Patriots 33-27
Dolphins eighth possession
The Patriots’ kickoff failed to land in the landing zone, giving Miami the ball at the 40-yard line. The drive started with a seven-yard pass from Tagovailoa to Waddle, who stepped out of bounds to stop the clock. Tagovailoa then found Ingold over the middle for nine yards. Achane caught a pass in the flat and appeared to score from 44 yards out, but he stepped out of bounds as he tried to make a cut and the play was pulled back to the 26 yard line. Miami was then called for a false start, then a delay of game. Tagovailoa looked to Waddle on 1st-and-20 in the endzone, but the pass fell incomplete. Miami moved up eight yards on a pass to wide receiver Dee Eskridge, setting up a 3rd-and-12 with just under a minute remaining. Tagovailoa was forced out of bounds with no one open on the play, bringing up a 4th-and-12. On the play, Tagovailoa was sacked and the ball turned over to New England.
Come on. That drive was the high of Achane appearing to score to the sack that effectively ends the game. Now on to a short week at 0-2 and the Buffalo Bills looming.
Patriots tenth possession
The Patriots knelt twice to kill the clock.
