The Miami Dolphins closed out their 2025 NFL season much like they played the majority of the season – putting up a fight in the first half only to see the third quarter decimate any hopes the team had. The Dolphins looked to upset their AFC East rivals, the New England Patriots, on Sunday, but gave up any fight after the halftime break.
The Dolphins now head into the offseason with nothing but questions that need to be answered. Miami has to figure out what they are going to do at quarterback, at head coach, and with a salary cap that is not forgiving in 2026.
Below you will find our full-game recap of all the action. Reactions are in italics.
Final Score
Dolphins 10 – 38 Patriots
First Quarter
Patriots ground game gashes Miami on opening drive
New England received the opening kickoff after Miami won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. After a kick return to the 30-yard line, the Patriots turned to their ground game with running back Rhamondre Stevenson taking the first carry for nine yards, then the second carry for 56 yards. Running back TreVeyon Henderson finished the three-play, 70-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run.
That was fast. New England smacked the Dolphins and took the immediate lead. Can Miami respond, or is this game over already?
Patriots 7-0.
Dolphins drive deep but come away empty
The Dolphins attempt to answer started at their 35-yard line and featured quarterback Quinn Ewers throwing toward tight end Greg Dulcich, running back Jaylen Wright, and wide receiver Tahj Washington, Theo Wease, Jr., and Cedrick Wilson, Jr., gaining 42 yards on five-of-six passing. Add in 15 rushing yards with carries from Ewers, Wright, running back Ollie Gordon II, and wide receiver Malik Washington, and the Dolphins reached the Patriots’ eight-yard line. On 4th-and-1, however, Ewers was flushed from the pocket and had to throw a jump ball into the endzone; Wilson got his hands on the ball but could not complete the reception and Miami turned the ball over on downs.
Good solid possession for the Dolphins, but they needed points there. Being aggressive and trying to go for the touchdown makes sense, but now they are in danger of being down two scores extremely early in the game.
Patriots make it two-for-two
The Patriots made Miami pay for the fourth-down gamble with a nine-play, 92-yard drive. Facing third down just once, New England converted on a scramble from quarterback Drake Maye for seven yards. The highlight of the drive came on a flea-flicker pass from Maye to wide receiver Efton Chism III for 35 yards. Stevenson ended the possession with a direct snap run for the two-yard score.
Exactly what the Dolphins could not afford to have happen. There is just under a minute remaining in the quarter, and they are already trailing by 14. A Miami answer has to happen here or this game is already over.
Patriots 14-0.
Second Quarter
Buccaneers punt after Dolphins mid-field stand
The first two plays of Miami’s second possession came before the quarter break, with Ewers throwing deep down the right to Tahj Washington before Wright carried the ball for six yards. On the 2nd-and-4 after the break, Malik Washington took the end-around handoff for 14 yards and a Dolphins’ first down. Ewers then found tight end Julian Hill for eight yards before Wright added six yards, taking the ball to the New England 12-yard line. After a Wright run for seven yards, the running back picked up another two yards. Gordon then powered forward for two yards to set up 1st-and-Goal from the one-yard line. After Wright was stopped for a one-yard loss, Ewers faked a toss, rolled to his left, and found a wide open Malik Washington in the back of the endzone for the score.
The Miami offense is not struggling to move the ball right now. This might turn into a shootout between the Patriots’ MVP-candidate quarterback and the Dolphins’ seventh-round rookie. Beautiful play-action design on the touchdown pass.
Patriots 14-7.
Patriots with three straight incomplete passes
New England’s possession spiraled out of control fairly quickly, with Maye throwing three times, all falling incomplete. Cornerback Rasul Douglas broke up the pass on the first play, then two deep shots were overthrown and the Patriots were forced to punt.
Great stand by the Dolphins defense, who seemed like they were done taking some of the early abuse from the Patriots. New England’s lead is only a touchdown – with the Dolphins now looking to erase that with back-to-back touchdown drives of their own.
Miami matches the three-and-out
Miami may have wanted to tie up the game with a second-straight touchdown, but instead, they matched the Patriots’ punt. Two Wright runs for a combined nine yards set up 3rd-and-1, but Gordon was stopped for a one-yard loss and the Dolphins punted.
Damn. It was there, and Miami could not take advantage. Can the defense make another stop so the offense has another shot to even this game up?
Patriots get stuffed on fourth down
The Patriots opened with a two-yard run from Henderson before Maye scrambled for a six-yard gain. After a Maye pass to tight end Hunter Henry for six yards, the Patriots elected to try to convert on 4th-and-1. Miami linebackers Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson were able to read the run attempt perfectly and stuff Henderson for no gain and a turnover on downs.
The defense has come to play after the slow start. Great job rallying to make sure the Patriots did not convert on third or fourth downs.
Dolphins quick fumble gives New England ball back
Miami appeared to open the drive with an eight-yard run from Wright, but a holding penalty on tackle Patrick Paul negated the gain. On 1st-and-20, Wright spun around as he was tackled on a two-yard run, with a second hit jarring loose the ball and leading to a Patriots recovery.
Oh come on! The Dolphins had great field position and another chance to even the score, but could not make it happen. Wright missed a hole that probably could have sprung him for a big gain. It was a perfectly placed hit on a spinning target to knock the ball loose, but damn, Miami could not afford that there.
Zach Sieler makes an impact play to keep the Patriots from scoring
Starting at the Miami 37-yard line after the 18-yard fumble return, New England picked up 13 yards on two Henderson runs before Maye threw to Stevenson for a seven-yard gain. Stevenson appeared to pick up another seven yards on a run, but a holding penalty pushed the Patriots into a 2nd-and-13, only to have Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb bite on a had count and jump offsides, setting up 2nd-and-8. After the two-minute warning, Maye threw to wide receiver Stefon Diggs for three yards. A 3rd-and-5 pass to wide receiver DeMario Douglas was negated by an offensive pass interference penalty. Maye threw to Douglas on the replayed third-down play, setting up 4th-and-6. On the field goal attempt, Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler blocked the kick, with cornerback Jason Marshall, Jr., picking up the ball and moving it to the New England 40-yard line.
Sieler! What a perfectly timed impact play from Miami’s star defensive tackle. He has not had the sack numbers he has had in recent years, but he has made plays when they are absolutely needed.
Miami inches closer with field goal
An incomplete pass and a sack pushed Miami into a 3rd-and-17. A screen pass to Wright picked up 13 yards, with Miami seeming to consider a fourth-down conversion attempt before turning to kicker Riley Patterson. The 52-yard attempt was good and Miami clawed to within four.
A touchdown would have been much better there, but at least Miami got points and – if they can stop the Patriots with 28 seconds remaining in the half – they get the ball back to start the second half. Wright’s 13-yard gain could have gone for more, but the running back ended up in front of his primary blocker, center Aaron Brewer.
Patriots kick last-second field goal to extend lead
A Maye to wide receiver Kayshon Boutte pass picked up 13 yards, with the receiver able to get out of bounds to stop the clock. Maye was then flushed out of the pocket, running up the middle of the field before turning to the sideline for a 14-yard gain and a clock stoppage. Maye took one last snap, trying to find someone in the endzone, but threw the ball out of bounds to stop the clock with three seasons left. The Patriots then connected on a 59-yard field goal to end the half.
Just as Miami appears to have put itself in a great position, New England responds. A stop there would have allowed the Dolphins to take the lead with their opening drive of the second half, but instead, it will be a drive trying to tie the game again.
Halftime Stats
The Dolphins looked like they were going to be blown out on the first two Patriots’ possessions, but they hung around and fought back into the game. Can they use the opening possession of the second half to level the game and keep pressure on the heavily favored Patriots?
Ewers has been effective in the game, not making any memorable plays but also not making any mistakes either. He still has to get used to the speed of the NFL, trying to scramble late and being caught easily for the sack, but he has been solid.
The defense is doing just enough to stay in the game. Like Ewers, they are not making splash plays, but they are doing enough to slow the Patriots and keep the team in it.
Third Quarter
Dolphins drive but turnover ball
After a 27-yard defensive pass interference penalty jump started the Miami drive, the Dolphins gave back 12 yards with a false start and a seven-yard loss on a Wright run. On 2nd-and-22, Ewers threw to Malik Washington for a five-yard gain, setting up a long third-down attempt. The Dolphins returned to their bread-and-butter screen-pass offense, but it worked, with Dulcich turning the short reception into a 20-yard gain. Gordon then picked up nine yards on a run to the left, moving the ball to the Patriots’ 16-yard line. After a Wright run for three yards, Ewers rolled out and threw toward the endzone, but was off target and Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins picked it off for the turnover.
The defensive pass interference penalty was a nice start to the drive, but the Dolphins tried to get in their own way multiple times and had to battle through it. The interception looked like a rookie trying to force a pass but not really deciding on where he wanted to throw the ball. Ewers essentially split two covered receivers in the endzone, ignoring two open receivers in front of him. He will learn, but that hurts given the Dolphins drop to the 13-yard line, only to come away with nothing.
Patriots pulling away
After the turnover, the Patriots moved from their 20-yard line out to midfield in one play, a pass from Maye to Henry, who turned a short pass into a big gain. Three plays later, Stevenson broke a run for 20 yards to move down to the Miami 22-yard line. After two runs for a combined seven yards from Henderson, Maye found a wide open Stevenson in the endzone for the touchdown.
Maye was surgical on that drive, and Miami’s defense had no answer. The Dolphins were able to stay in touch with the Patriots in the first half, but, as has been the story for many games this year, everything seems to be coming apart in the third quarter.
Patriots 24-10.
Miami fails to answer as third quarter woes continue
Miami’s next possession featured four rushing yards from Gordon, an eight-yard pass from Ewers to Wease, two incomplete passes, and a sack. Just a miserable drive as the Dolphins were forced to punt – and Jake Bailey was only able to get 27 yards on the kick.
It is the third quarter and the Dolphins are playing like they have in most of the third quarters this year. Miami has been miserable in the third quarter and it is continuing into this game.
Patriots turning a close game into a blow out
A 16-yard pass to Henry, a six-yard pass to Diggs, a Stevenson run for six yards, and a Stevenson run for 35 yards. That is all it took for the Patriots to cover 63 yards to score again, extending the lead to what seems like an insurmountable 21 points.
That was ridiculous. New England is doing whatever it wants right now, and Miami is just letting it happen.
Patriots 31-10.
Miami responds with three-and-out
An incomplete pass and a two-yard run from Gordon game Miami a 3rd-and-8 from their 28-yard line. Ewers took a sack for a three-yard loss on the play, and Miami was forced to punt.
Seems right. Whereas the Dolphins did not seem to be rolling over in the second half, it feels exactly the opposite now. This feels like the players have heard all about the team’s third-quarter struggles, and they are allowing the game to snowball away from them.
Fourth Quarter
Patriots running up score as Miami fails to fight back
A deep pass to Diggs for 34 yards ended the quarter, but the Patriots were not down pouring it on their AFC East rivals. From the Miami 17-yard line, Maye threw to tight end Austin Hooper for five yards, to Henry for two yards, and scrambled for eight yards. On 1st-and-Goal from the two-yard line, Henderson again found then endzone, turning the game into a blowout.
Sure, why not. The second half has just become dumb for the Dolphins at this point. They are being blown out of the game, out of the stadium, and out of the season now.
Patriots 38-10.
Dolphins lose nine yards on three-and-out possession
The highlight of the drive for Miami came on the opening play, when Gordon picked up a yard. After that, the Dolphins lost nine yards on a play that looked doomed before it even started and Gordon had no where to go when he took the pitch, then lost another yard on a screen pass to Malik Washington. Three plays, minus nine yards. And, it could have been worse as the Patriots declined two penalties on the Dolphins on the possession.
What the hell was that? Just absolutely doing nothing.
Patriots pull starters with game in hand
New England turned the game over to Josh Dobbs at quarterback, along with many of their second-string players, with a 28-point lead. The Patriots picked up three yards on a first down pass from Dobbs to Henry, then saw Henderson stuffed for no gain. On a deep pass attempt on third down, the ball fell incomplete leading to a three-and-out punt.
Hey, stopping the second-string Patriots offense is…something?
Dolphins stall after quick first down
The Dolphins picked up a first down on their first play, with Ewers throwing to Wease for 16 yards. After that, however, an incomplete pass, a three-yard pass to fullback Alec Ingold, and a sack led to a punt.
Miami continues to do nothing on offense. The sack looked like Ewers thought he had the speed to avoid the rush as he rolled to his right, not realizing the defenders chasing him are faster than college defenders. It is another rookie mistake, but one he will need to quickly learn if he is going to factor into Miami’s 2026 plans.
Patriots go three-and-out again
The Patriots looked like they might pick up a first down on a run from Dobbs toward the sideline, but the quarterback still had the ball behind him as he went out of bounds. The Patriots challenged the call, but the call of short of the line of gain was upheld and the Patriots punted.
Zach Wilson enters for Miami, gets same results
Miami replaced Ewers with quarterback Zach Wilson on the next possession, with Miami picking up a yard on a Gordon first-down run. Wilson then threw two incomplete passes, getting buried on both pass attempts, and Miami punted.
At this point, the reactions are all the same. Just hoping the last four minutes of this game, and this season, hurry up and end.
Patriots work clock to end game
New England opened the drive with two runs from running back D’Ernest Johnson looking to keep the clock rolling. Dobbs attempted a deep pass on the next play, a throw that fell incomplete but a roughing the passer penalty gave the Patriots a first down. A Johnson run, a two passes, and two kneel downs finally ended the game.
Finally, the Dolphins are put out of their misery and we are on to the offseason.
