New England Patriots vs Miami Dolphins Match Player Stats
The new england patriots vs miami dolphins match player stats from January 5, 2026, tell the story of a one-sided NFL contest in which New England defeated Miami 38-10. The Patriots controlled the game through a powerful rushing attack, efficient quarterback play, and consistent defensive pressure. Rhamondre Stevenson delivered one of the standout performances with 131 rushing yards and two touchdowns on only seven carries, while Drake Maye completed 14 of 18 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown without throwing an interception.
Miami struggled to establish its ground game and failed to score after the second quarter. Although the Dolphins recorded a touchdown and some productive receiving plays, their inability to sustain drives allowed New England to maintain control. The final score reflected more than a difference in offensive production: it showed how explosive runs, defensive stops, turnovers, and field position combined to shape the outcome.
This detailed breakdown examines the final score, individual player statistics, quarterback efficiency, rushing and receiving performances, defensive contributions, special teams, and the most important lessons from the matchup. All game figures below are based on the supplied ESPN box-score data for the January 5, 2026, contest.
Match Overview: Patriots vs Dolphins Final Score
The game was played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, as the teams completed their 2025 regular seasons. New England entered the contest with a 13-3 record and playoff positioning at stake, while Miami was trying to finish a difficult season on a positive note. The final result improved New England’s record to 14-3 and left Miami at 7-10.
New England Patriots
+1
New England Patriots
Home team · 14-3 record after game
38
Miami Dolphins
Away team · 7-10 record after game
10
Venue
Gillette Stadium
Competition
NFL Week 18
Final margin
Patriots by 28
Game status
Final
Score by quarter
| Quarter | Miami Dolphins | New England Patriots |
| First | 0 | 14 |
| Second | 10 | 3 |
| Third | 0 | 14 |
| Fourth | 0 | 7 |
| Final | 10 | 38 |
The quarter-by-quarter breakdown reveals two distinct phases. Miami responded to New England’s opening surge and narrowed the deficit to seven points before halftime. However, the Patriots scored 21 points across the second half while keeping the Dolphins scoreless.
That second-half performance was the clearest indicator of New England’s control. Miami had shown that it could move the ball during the second quarter, but it could not sustain the same level of production after the break.
New England Patriots vs Miami Dolphins Match Player Stats: Complete Breakdown
The most useful way to interpret the player statistics is to separate individual production from team efficiency. A player may accumulate impressive numbers on a limited number of opportunities, while a team can gain yards without converting those gains into points.
New England excelled in both areas. Its rushing attack created explosive plays, its quarterback protected the football, and its defense repeatedly interrupted Miami’s progress.
Team statistical comparison
| Statistical category | Patriots | Dolphins |
| Final score | 38 | 10 |
| Passing yards | 214 | 137 |
| Rushing yards | 243 | 63 |
| Total offensive yards | 457 | 200 |
| Rushing touchdowns | 4 | 0 |
| Passing touchdowns | 1 | 1 |
| Interceptions thrown | 0 | 1 |
| Sacks recorded by defense | 4 | 0 |
| Tackles for loss | 10 | 1 |
| Quarterback hits | 9 | 3 |
| Field goals made | 1 | 1 |
Team passing yards are presented using the player passing totals in the supplied box-score data. Defensive and special-teams figures are from the supplied game statistics.
The overall difference was substantial. New England produced 457 offensive yards, compared with Miami’s 200. The Patriots also generated 180 more rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.
These numbers explain why the final score became so lopsided. New England did not need to rely on a high-volume passing game to move the ball. Its ground attack repeatedly created favorable situations, allowing the offense to score efficiently.
Miami, by contrast, averaged only 2.5 yards per rushing attempt. That limited its ability to keep the offense balanced and made it harder to recover from the early deficit.
Quarterback Performance: Drake Maye vs Quinn Ewers
Quarterback statistics provide a useful starting point for understanding the game, but completion percentage alone cannot explain the result. Passing efficiency, turnovers, yards per attempt, and the support provided by the rushing attack all matter.
Drake Maye’s passing performance
Drake Maye
New England Patriots
14/18 completions
191 passing yards · 1 TD · 0 INT
Completion rate
77.8%
Yards per attempt
10.6
Passer rating
129.4
ESPN QBR
87.1
Maye completed 14 of his 18 attempts, giving him a completion rate of 77.8%. He threw for 191 yards and one touchdown without an interception. His 129.4 passer rating reflected the combination of accurate passing, strong yardage production, a touchdown, and turnover avoidance.
His yards-per-attempt figure is particularly revealing. Dividing 191 passing yards by 18 attempts produces approximately 10.6 yards per attempt. That is an efficient return from a relatively small number of throws.
Maye’s performance also needs to be understood in the context of New England’s rushing success. When a team can repeatedly gain yards on the ground, the defense must allocate attention to stopping the run. That can create more favorable passing opportunities and reduce the need to force difficult throws.
Maye added 41 rushing yards on five carries, averaging 8.2 yards per attempt. Although he did not score a rushing touchdown, his mobility gave the offense another way to gain yards and keep drives alive.
The important point is that Maye did not need to carry the entire offense. His efficient passing complemented a dominant running game, allowing New England to maintain its balance without exposing the quarterback to unnecessary passing volume.
Quinn Ewers’ passing performance
Quinn Ewers
Miami Dolphins
16/23 completions
137 passing yards · 1 TD · 1 INT
Completion rate
69.6%
Yards per attempt
6.0
Passer rating
81.2
ESPN QBR
35.1
Ewers completed 16 of 23 passes for 137 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. His completion rate was respectable at 69.6%, but his average of six yards per attempt was considerably lower than Maye’s.
This difference illustrates why completion percentage should not be treated as a complete measure of quarterback performance. A quarterback can complete short passes consistently while still struggling to generate enough yardage to sustain drives or threaten a defense vertically.
Ewers did help Miami produce its only touchdown. His two-yard touchdown pass to Malik Washington capped a second-quarter drive, and Miami followed it with a 52-yard field goal. At that point, the Dolphins had scored 10 unanswered points and appeared to have an opportunity to make the contest more competitive.
The difficulty was maintaining that progress. Miami failed to score again, and Ewers’ interception contributed to a defensive performance that became increasingly one-sided.
His statistics also reflect the challenge of playing from behind against a defense that could concentrate on disrupting the passing game. When the ground attack is ineffective, a quarterback has fewer opportunities to benefit from favorable down-and-distance situations.
Backup quarterback statistics
| Player | Completions | Passing yards | TD | INT | Passer rating |
| Joshua Dobbs, Patriots | 3/4 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 88.5 |
| Zach Wilson, Dolphins | 0/2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39.6 |
Dobbs completed three of four passes for 23 yards without a touchdown or interception. Wilson attempted two passes but did not complete either and recorded no passing yards.
The limited number of attempts means these figures should not be interpreted as comprehensive assessments of either backup quarterback. They are snapshots of their contributions in this particular game.
For Miami, the more significant issue was the offense’s inability to create a sustained response after halftime, regardless of which quarterback was on the field.
Rushing Statistics: The Decisive Difference
The rushing numbers were the strongest statistical explanation for New England’s victory. The Patriots gained 243 yards on 34 carries, averaging 7.1 yards per attempt. Miami managed only 63 yards on 25 carries, an average of 2.5 yards.
The Patriots therefore gained almost four times as many rushing yards as the Dolphins. They also scored four rushing touchdowns, while Miami failed to score on the ground.
Rhamondre Stevenson leads the Patriots
Rhamondre Stevenson
New England Patriots
131 rushing yards
7 carries · 18.7 yards per carry · 2 rushing TDs
Longest run
56 yd
Receiving yards
22
Total TDs
3
Stevenson’s rushing performance was the defining individual contribution of the game. He gained 131 yards on just seven carries, averaging 18.7 yards per attempt. His longest run covered 56 yards, and he scored twice on the ground.
That average is especially important because it demonstrates how quickly New England could advance the ball without using many plays. A conventional drive may require several successful runs and short passes to reach scoring territory. An explosive run can change field position in a single snap.
Stevenson also contributed as a receiver, catching two passes for 22 yards and a touchdown. His combined production was therefore 153 yards from rushing and receiving, with three total touchdowns.
The distribution of his touchdowns matters. Two came on rushing plays, while the third came on a 15-yard reception from Maye in the third quarter. This made Stevenson a threat in multiple offensive situations rather than a player whose impact was limited to running between the tackles.
His performance also helped New England manage the game after taking the lead. Explosive runs created scoring opportunities, while successful rushing attempts allowed the offense to avoid depending entirely on its passing game.
TreVeyon Henderson adds two touchdowns
TreVeyon Henderson
13 carries · 53 rushing yards
4.1 yards per carry
2 rushing touchdowns · 13-yard longest run
Henderson recorded 53 rushing yards on 13 carries and scored twice. His average of 4.1 yards per carry was much closer to a conventional productive rushing performance than Stevenson’s explosive average, but his touchdown contribution was equally important to the scoreboard.
He scored New England’s opening touchdown on a five-yard run and added another on a two-yard run in the fourth quarter.
These two scores demonstrate the value of having more than one effective running back. Stevenson provided the explosive plays, while Henderson contributed steady carries and converted opportunities near the goal line.
When an offense has multiple backs capable of gaining yards and scoring, a defense has fewer opportunities to focus its entire game plan on one player. New England benefited from that flexibility throughout the contest.
Complete rushing player statistics
| Patriots player | Carries | Yards | Average | TD |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | 7 | 131 | 18.7 | 2 |
| TreVeyon Henderson | 13 | 53 | 4.1 | 2 |
| Drake Maye | 5 | 41 | 8.2 | 0 |
| D’Ernest Johnson | 5 | 13 | 2.6 | 0 |
| Kyle Williams | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 0 |
| Joshua Dobbs | 3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Team total | 34 | 243 | 7.1 | 4 |
The table highlights the different roles within New England’s offense. Stevenson delivered explosive production, Henderson converted carries into touchdowns, and Maye contributed as a mobile quarterback.
Together, these performances made the Patriots difficult to defend. Stopping one player would not necessarily have stopped the entire rushing attack.
Miami’s rushing struggles
| Dolphins player | Carries | Yards | Average | TD |
| Jaylen Wright | 13 | 23 | 1.8 | 0 |
| Malik Washington | 2 | 22 | 11.0 | 0 |
| Quinn Ewers | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 0 |
| Ollie Gordon II | 9 | 9 | 1.0 | 0 |
| Team total | 25 | 63 | 2.5 | 0 |
Wright received the most carries for Miami but gained only 23 yards. Gordon added nine yards on nine attempts, averaging one yard per carry.
Malik Washington was a notable exception, gaining 22 yards on two rushing attempts. However, two carries were not enough to offset the lack of production from the team’s primary rushing options.
The wider lesson is that isolated explosive plays cannot replace consistent efficiency. Miami had individual runs that generated useful yardage, but the team did not establish a dependable ground attack.
That imbalance also affected the passing game. Without an effective running threat, Miami had fewer ways to make the Patriots defend the full width and depth of the field.
Receiving Statistics: Which Players Made the Biggest Impact?
Receiving statistics help explain how each quarterback distributed the football and which players converted opportunities into meaningful gains. New England recorded 214 receiving yards, while Miami’s receivers combined for 137 yards according to the supplied player-level passing and receiving figures.
The difference was not simply the number of catches. New England averaged 12.6 yards per reception, compared with Miami’s 8.6. That gap shows how the Patriots extracted more yardage from each completed pass.
Hunter Henry leads New England’s receivers
Hunter Henry
New England Patriots
5 receptions
56 yards · 11.2 yards per catch
Targets
5
Longest reception
29 yards
Henry led New England in receptions and receiving yards, finishing with five catches for 56 yards. He caught every pass targeted to him in the supplied statistics, producing a 100% catch rate.
His contribution provided Maye with a reliable option in the passing game. Tight ends can be valuable because they operate in areas between the offensive line and wide receivers, creating opportunities against linebackers and defensive backs.
Henry’s production also illustrates how a passing game can remain effective without requiring one receiver to dominate every possession. By spreading opportunities among several targets, New England prevented its offense from becoming overly dependent on a single matchup.
Stefon Diggs supplies valuable yardage
Stefon Diggs
3 receptions · 43 yards
14.3 yards per catch
34-yard longest reception · 3 targets
Diggs caught all three of his targets for 43 yards. His longest reception covered 34 yards, demonstrating the value of gaining substantial yardage without requiring a large number of targets.
His role complemented Henry’s production. While Henry led the team in receptions, Diggs generated more yardage per catch. Those different contributions helped New England maintain an efficient passing attack.
Other Patriots receiving contributors
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Average | TD |
| Hunter Henry | 5 | 56 | 11.2 | 0 |
| Stefon Diggs | 3 | 43 | 14.3 | 0 |
| Efton Chism III | 1 | 35 | 35.0 | 0 |
| DeMario Douglas | 2 | 29 | 14.5 | 0 |
| Kayshon Boutte | 2 | 24 | 12.0 | 0 |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | 2 | 22 | 11.0 | 1 |
| Austin Hooper | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 0 |
| Jack Westover | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
Efton Chism III recorded the most yards per reception among these players, gaining 35 yards on his only catch. Douglas and Boutte added useful production, while Stevenson scored the team’s receiving touchdown.
The variety of contributors is important. When a defense focuses on the main receiving options, secondary targets can create valuable opportunities. New England’s distribution of yardage suggests that several players were capable of contributing when the passing game was called upon.
Theo Wease Jr. leads Miami’s receivers
Theo Wease Jr.
Miami Dolphins
3 receptions
44 yards · 14.7 yards per catch
Targets
5
Longest reception
20 yards
Wease led Miami in receiving yards with 44 on three catches. His average of 14.7 yards per reception was strong and showed that he could generate useful gains when targeted.
His individual efficiency, however, did not translate into sustained team success. A receiver can make productive catches while the offense as a whole struggles to maintain possession or convert drives into points.
That distinction is central to understanding Miami’s performance. The Dolphins had receivers capable of gaining meaningful yardage, but they could not combine those plays with consistent rushing production and enough successful possessions to challenge New England.
Miami’s receiving numbers
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Average | TD |
| Theo Wease Jr. | 3 | 44 | 14.7 | 0 |
| Greg Dulcich | 3 | 31 | 10.3 | 0 |
| Tahj Washington | 2 | 26 | 13.0 | 0 |
| Jaylen Wright | 2 | 17 | 8.5 | 0 |
| Julian Hill | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 0 |
| Malik Washington | 3 | 6 | 2.0 | 1 |
| Alec Ingold | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 0 |
| Ollie Gordon II | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 0 |
| Cedrick Wilson Jr. | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
Malik Washington’s numbers are particularly interesting. He caught three passes for only six yards, yet one of those catches was a two-yard touchdown. That is a good example of why receiving yards alone do not measure a player’s complete contribution.
Touchdowns are determined by where a play ends, not simply how far the ball travels through the air. A short reception near the goal line can be more valuable to the scoreboard than a longer catch that ends well outside scoring range.
Miami’s challenge was turning individual contributions into repeated scoring opportunities. The team had multiple players with productive catches, but it recorded only one passing touchdown and no rushing touchdowns.
Defensive Player Stats: How New England Controlled Miami
The Patriots’ defense played a major role in the result. New England recorded four sacks, 10 tackles for loss, four passes defended, and nine quarterback hits. Miami recorded no sacks, one tackle for loss, one pass defended, and three quarterback hits.
These statistics indicate that New England disrupted plays behind or near the line of scrimmage much more frequently. Sacks and tackles for loss can place an offense in difficult down-and-distance situations, while quarterback hits can interfere with timing and decision-making.
Jahlani Tavai’s defensive contribution
Jahlani Tavai
New England Patriots
8 total tackles
3 solo tackles · 1 tackle for loss
Tavai recorded eight total tackles, including three solo tackles and one tackle for loss. His numbers reflect a meaningful contribution to New England’s defensive effort.
A tackle for loss can be especially valuable because it removes yards from an offense’s expected progress. For example, a defense that stops a running back behind the line of scrimmage can turn a manageable second down into a much more difficult situation.
Tackles alone do not tell the entire story of a linebacker’s performance, but Tavai’s contribution formed part of a defensive unit that consistently restricted Miami’s ability to move the ball.
Jordyn Brooks leads Miami in tackles
Jordyn Brooks
Miami Dolphins
9 total tackles
4 solo tackles
Brooks led Miami with nine total tackles and four solo tackles. His individual workload was substantial, but the overall defensive figures show the difficulty Miami faced in containing New England.
The Dolphins’ defense made 68 total tackles, compared with New England’s 62. That higher tackle count did not indicate superior defensive performance. Instead, it partly reflects the amount of activity required when the opposing offense consistently moves the ball.
A defense can record many tackles because it repeatedly stops successful plays after they have already gained yards. To evaluate defensive effectiveness, tackle totals should be considered alongside yards allowed, tackles for loss, sacks, turnovers, and points conceded.
Defensive team comparison
| Defensive statistic | Patriots | Dolphins |
| Total tackles | 62 | 68 |
| Solo tackles | 34 | 25 |
| Sacks | 4 | 0 |
| Tackles for loss | 10 | 1 |
| Passes defended | 4 | 1 |
| Quarterback hits | 9 | 3 |
| Interceptions | 1 | 0 |
| Defensive touchdowns | 0 | 0 |
The clearest differences are the sacks, tackles for loss, and quarterback hits. New England recorded more plays that disrupted Miami’s offensive structure before the Dolphins could develop a successful play.
Jaylinn Hawkins also recorded an interception for New England. The pick did not produce a defensive touchdown, but it gave the Patriots another turnover and ended a Miami passing possession.
The broader lesson is that defensive pressure is not measured only by sacks. A defense can influence the outcome through hurried decisions, short gains, disrupted timing, and turnovers, even when a particular play does not result in a sack.
Special Teams Statistics: Field Goals, Punting, and Returns
Special teams did not account for the full scoring difference, but their contribution helped determine field position and preserve opportunities to score.
Kicking performance
| Player | Field goals | Longest field goal | Extra points | Total points |
| Andy Borregales, Patriots | 1/2 | 59 yards | 5/5 | 8 |
| Riley Patterson, Dolphins | 1/1 | 52 yards | 1/1 | 4 |
Borregales made a 59-yard field goal and converted all five extra-point attempts. He missed one of his two field-goal attempts, so his overall field-goal accuracy was 50%.
Patterson made his only field-goal attempt, a 52-yarder, and converted his extra point. His field goal briefly helped Miami narrow the gap in the second quarter.
Both kickers demonstrated the ability to score from long range. However, the Patriots generated enough touchdowns to make their scoring production much more significant than their field-goal totals alone suggest.
Punting statistics
| Player | Punts | Total yards | Average | Inside the 20 |
| Bryce Baringer, Patriots | 3 | 155 | 51.7 | 3 |
| Jake Bailey, Dolphins | 6 | 245 | 40.8 | 0 |
Baringer averaged 51.7 yards per punt and placed all three punts inside the 20-yard line. Bailey punted six times, averaging 40.8 yards, without recording a punt inside the 20.
Punting is particularly important when an offense fails to convert a drive into points. A strong punt can force the opponent to begin its possession farther from the end zone, while a well-placed punt can restrict the return team’s options.
New England’s punting figures suggest that it was effective when it needed to give the ball back to Miami. Bailey’s higher number of punts also reflects Miami’s inability to convert enough possessions into sustained scoring drives.
Kick and punt returns
| Team | Returner | Returns | Return yards | Average |
| Dolphins | Malik Washington, kick returns | 2 | 54 | 27.0 |
| Patriots | D’Ernest Johnson, kick returns | 2 | 51 | 25.5 |
| Dolphins | Malik Washington, punt returns | 1 | 2 | 2.0 |
Malik Washington provided Miami with useful kick-return production, averaging 27 yards on two returns. Johnson averaged 25.5 yards on two kick returns for New England.
The figures are relatively close, so return averages alone do not explain the final margin. The more important difference was what happened after each team gained possession. New England consistently converted offensive opportunities into points, while Miami struggled to do the same.
Turnovers and Ball Security
Turnovers can change the direction of a football game because they end an offensive possession without allowing the team to finish its planned drive. They can also create favorable field position for the opponent.
The supplied statistics show that Miami threw one interception and lost one fumble. New England threw no interceptions and recorded no fumbles lost.
This difference favored the Patriots, although turnovers were only one part of the outcome. New England’s rushing advantage and defensive pressure were also significant.
Miami’s ball-security problems
Jaylen Wright recorded two fumbles, with one lost. That matters because a fumble that remains with the offense does not have the same effect as a lost fumble.
The lost fumble removed a Miami possession and gave New England another opportunity to control the game. The interception added a separate turnover, leaving the Dolphins with two turnovers in the supplied statistics.
The practical lesson is that ball security becomes even more important when an offense is struggling to generate yards. A team that has difficulty sustaining drives cannot afford to lose additional possessions through avoidable mistakes.
New England protects the football
Maye finished with no interceptions, and the Patriots did not lose a fumble. The team also recovered a fumble during the game.
That level of ball security helped New England preserve its scoring opportunities. It allowed the offense to remain aggressive without giving Miami an easy route back into the contest.
A turnover-free passing performance does not guarantee victory, but it reduces the number of opportunities an opponent receives to change the game’s momentum. In this matchup, New England combined that discipline with explosive rushing production, making its offense especially difficult to stop.
Key Moments That Decided the Game
The scoreline becomes easier to understand when the major scoring sequences are considered alongside the player statistics. New England built an early advantage, Miami briefly responded, and the Patriots then pulled away in the second half.
1. New England establishes an early lead
The Patriots scored twice in the first quarter to take a 14-0 lead. Henderson scored on a five-yard run, and Stevenson added a two-yard rushing touchdown.
The opening quarter established the central pattern of the game: New England could move the ball on the ground and finish drives with rushing touchdowns. Miami had to respond from behind before it had established a consistent offensive rhythm.
An early lead can affect how both teams approach the game. The team in front can continue using its balanced offense, while the trailing team may feel increasing pressure to create bigger plays.
2. Miami responds before halftime
Miami scored its only touchdown in the second quarter when Ewers connected with Malik Washington on a two-yard pass. Patterson added a 52-yard field goal, reducing the deficit to 14-10.
For a short period, Miami had made the contest competitive. The Dolphins had scored 10 consecutive points, and the game was no longer simply an extension of New England’s opening surge.
However, Borregales responded with a 59-yard field goal just before halftime, giving the Patriots a 17-10 lead.
That late score mattered because it restored a seven-point cushion and gave New England momentum heading into the break.
3. The third quarter changes the contest
New England scored two touchdowns in the third quarter, increasing its lead from seven points to 21.
Stevenson first caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Maye. Later, he broke through for a 35-yard rushing touchdown.
These two scores highlighted his versatility. Miami had to account for Stevenson as a runner, but he could also contribute in the passing game. The Patriots’ ability to use the same player in different ways made it harder for Miami to anticipate how the next scoring opportunity would develop.
More importantly, Miami failed to score in the quarter. New England turned a competitive first half into a commanding lead by winning both the scoring battle and the battle for offensive consistency.
4. Henderson completes the scoring
Henderson scored a two-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter, making the score 38-10.
The final touchdown confirmed that New England could continue producing on the ground even after the game was effectively decided. Henderson’s second rushing score also brought the Patriots’ total to four rushing touchdowns.
Miami did not respond, leaving its second-quarter touchdown as its only trip to the end zone.
The scoring sequence demonstrates why a game should be assessed across all four quarters. Miami showed some offensive promise before halftime, but New England delivered the more complete performance over the full contest.
Why the Patriots Won: Five Statistical Lessons
1. Explosive rushing plays created an advantage
Stevenson’s 56-yard run was a major example of New England’s ability to create sudden gains. His 131 rushing yards on seven attempts meant that the Patriots could generate substantial yardage without relying on repeated short plays.
Explosive runs can change a drive’s structure. Instead of needing several first downs to reach scoring range, an offense may move into a favorable position in a single play.
Miami lacked a comparable source of consistent rushing production. Its leading rusher gained only 23 yards, and the team averaged 2.5 yards per carry.
2. The Patriots converted rushing production into touchdowns
New England’s 243 rushing yards were impressive, but the four rushing touchdowns were equally important. Yardage matters because it helps an offense advance, while touchdowns determine how effectively it converts those advances into points.
Henderson scored twice, and Stevenson added two rushing touchdowns. This distribution gave New England multiple ways to finish drives.
Miami had no rushing touchdowns. As a result, the Dolphins relied on one passing touchdown and one field goal for all 10 points.
3. Maye combined efficiency with ball security
Maye’s 14 completions from 18 attempts produced 191 yards and one touchdown without an interception.
The Patriots did not need a high-volume passing performance because the ground attack was already successful. Maye’s job was to distribute the ball efficiently, take advantage of passing opportunities, and avoid turnovers.
His statistics indicate that he performed that role effectively.
4. New England disrupted Miami’s offense
Four sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and nine quarterback hits show that the Patriots consistently created difficult situations for the Dolphins.
Defensive pressure can affect more than the individual play in which it occurs. A sack can force an offense into a longer third down, and a tackle for loss can reduce the likelihood of converting a subsequent play.
Miami’s lack of offensive consistency made these defensive disruptions more damaging.
5. The second-half scoring gap was decisive
The Patriots scored 21 points after halftime, while Miami scored none.
This was the most visible difference between the teams. Miami entered halftime trailing by seven points, a deficit that could still be overcome. By the end of the third quarter, however, New England had extended its lead to 31-10.
The Patriots combined effective offense with defensive stops, while Miami could not sustain its second-quarter progress.
What the Match Player Stats Reveal Beyond the Final Score
A box score is most useful when it helps explain why a result occurred. The raw totals show that New England won, but the relationships between those totals reveal how the game unfolded.
Individual excellence versus team efficiency
Stevenson’s 18.7 yards per carry is an exceptional single-game average, but it should be interpreted alongside his seven attempts. His limited workload and long run helped produce that average.
Henderson, meanwhile, gained 53 yards on 13 attempts and scored twice. His average was much lower, yet his role in converting scoring opportunities was significant.
These examples show why rushing averages should not be used in isolation. Carries, total yards, longest run, touchdowns, and the game situation all provide important context.
The same principle applies to receivers. Wease averaged 14.7 yards per catch for Miami, but the Dolphins still finished with only 10 points. A strong individual average does not necessarily translate into an effective overall offense.
Why completion percentage can be misleading
Ewers completed 69.6% of his passes, a respectable percentage. Maye completed 77.8%, but the difference becomes more meaningful when passing yards and yards per attempt are included.
Maye averaged approximately 10.6 yards per attempt, while Ewers averaged six. That gap suggests New England gained more yardage from its passing opportunities.
Completion percentage measures how frequently passes are completed. It does not tell readers whether those completions gained enough yards to sustain drives, generate first downs, or create scoring chances.
For a more complete assessment, consider completion percentage alongside yards per attempt, touchdowns, interceptions, passer rating, and the offense’s rushing output.
Why defensive tackles need context
Miami recorded more total tackles than New England, yet it lost by 28 points.
This does not mean Miami’s defense was necessarily more effective. Tackles often occur after an offensive player has already gained yardage. A team defending for long stretches may accumulate more tackles simply because it faces more plays.
Sacks, tackles for loss, quarterback hits, turnovers, and points allowed help provide a more complete view of defensive performance.
In this game, New England’s four sacks and 10 tackles for loss were more revealing than the raw tackle totals alone.
The importance of possession quality
Not every possession has the same value. An offense that gains 50 yards before punting has made progress, but it has not scored. A shorter drive that ends in a touchdown may contribute more directly to the final result.
The Patriots combined explosive plays with successful scoring drives. Miami generated some useful individual gains but failed to convert them into points after halftime.
That distinction is central to understanding the result. The quality of a team’s possessions matters as much as the number of yards accumulated.
Official Box Score and Statistical Verification
Readers who want to check individual figures, scoring sequences, or team totals can consult the official ESPN box score for the Patriots-Dolphins game.
When comparing statistics across sports websites, it is worth checking whether the figures refer to individual passing totals, team passing totals, or total offensive production. Those categories are related but are not interchangeable.
For example, passing yards and receiving yards may be reported differently depending on the table being viewed, while total offense generally combines passing and rushing production. Similarly, a player’s total touchdowns may include both rushing and receiving scores.
For this matchup, the most reliable approach is to read each category separately and use the scoring summary to verify how touchdowns occurred. This helps prevent errors such as treating a receiving touchdown as a rushing touchdown or confusing a player’s total yardage with the team’s total.
The supplied data also contains a small discrepancy in Miami’s team passing total. Ewers recorded 137 passing yards, and Miami’s listed receiving production also totals 137 yards, while one team-passing entry states 117 yards. This article uses 137 yards for Miami’s passing production, consistent with the quarterback and receiver figures. That distinction is worth preserving rather than silently mixing conflicting totals.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was the final score of the New England Patriots vs Miami Dolphins game?
The New England Patriots defeated the Miami Dolphins 38-10 in their 2025 regular-season finale. New England scored 14 points in the first quarter and added 21 points in the second half, while Miami scored all 10 of its points before halftime.
2. Who had the most rushing yards in the game?
Rhamondre Stevenson led all rushers with 131 yards on seven carries. He averaged 18.7 yards per carry and scored two rushing touchdowns. He also caught a touchdown pass, giving him three total touchdowns.
3. How did Drake Maye perform against Miami?
Drake Maye completed 14 of 18 passes for 191 yards and one touchdown without an interception. He posted a 129.4 passer rating and added 41 rushing yards on five carries.
4. How many passing yards did Quinn Ewers record?
Quinn Ewers completed 16 of 23 passes for 137 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. His passer rating was 81.2, and his ESPN QBR was 35.1.
5. Which team had the better rushing performance?
New England dominated the ground game with 243 rushing yards on 34 carries, averaging 7.1 yards per attempt. Miami managed 63 rushing yards on 25 carries, averaging 2.5 yards per attempt. The Patriots also scored four rushing touchdowns, while the Dolphins scored none.
6. Which defensive players stood out in the matchup?
For New England, Jahlani Tavai led the supplied defensive highlights with eight total tackles and one tackle for loss, while Jaylinn Hawkins recorded an interception. For Miami, Jordyn Brooks led the team with nine total tackles. New England’s defense also recorded four sacks and 10 tackles for loss.
Conclusion
The New England Patriots’ 38-10 victory over the Miami Dolphins was built on a clear statistical advantage in rushing, offensive efficiency, and defensive disruption. New England finished with 243 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, and 214 passing yards, while Miami managed 63 rushing yards and 137 passing yards using the individual passing and receiving totals.
Rhamondre Stevenson was the standout offensive player, producing 131 rushing yards on seven carries and three total touchdowns. TreVeyon Henderson added two rushing scores, while Drake Maye completed 77.8% of his passes without throwing an interception. Miami received useful contributions from Quinn Ewers, Theo Wease Jr., and Malik Washington, but those performances did not translate into consistent scoring.
The defensive statistics further explain the difference. New England recorded four sacks, 10 tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits, and an interception. Miami could not match that level of disruption and failed to score in either of the final two quarters.
Ultimately, the game demonstrates why individual player numbers must be considered alongside team efficiency and scoring sequences. Explosive runs, productive passing, ball security, and defensive pressure combined to give the Patriots control of the contest. The Dolphins showed brief promise in the second quarter, but New England delivered the stronger performance across the full game.
