FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots routed the Miami Dolphins 38-10 on Sunday behind five touchdowns from their running back tandem, clinching at least the No. 2 seed in the AFC and dropping Miami to 7-10 on the season.
The Patriots needed only three plays to reach the end zone on their opening drive. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson broke loose for a 57-yard run, setting up rookie TreVeyon Henderson as New England struck quickly.
Miami entered the game shorthanded, with running back De’Von Achane (shoulder), wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (ribs), right tackle Austin Jackson (back), and EDGE Chop Robinson (concussion) all ruled out.
Rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers, who made the third start of his career, moved the Dolphins into scoring position by finding wide recievers Theo Wease Jr., Tahj Washington and tight end Greg Dulcich for solid gains. But a pass intended for Cedrick Wilson Jr. slipped through the receiver’s hands in the back of the end zone, and Miami turned the ball over on downs.
Patriots quarterback and NFL MVP candidate Drake Maye escaped pressure for a 9-yard run and later executed a flea-flicker for a first down to wide receiver Efton Chism III as the Patriots stayed aggressive.
Stevenson capped the drive with a wildcat run up the middle for a 2-yard score to give New England a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
Miami responded by leaning on its running game with Jaylen Warren, and Ewers bought time before throwing a 2-yard touchdown pass to Malik Washington.
The Dolphins forced a punt on New England’s next possession, then got another stop when linebacker Terrell Dodson tackled Henderson in the backfield on fourth-and-1 for a turnover on downs.
Miami failed to capitalize after cornerback Christian Gonzalez helped force a fumble on Jaylen Wright. The Patriots moved the ball with their running game and short passes, but an offensive pass interference penalty on tight end Hunter Henry stalled the drive.
Miami defensive tackle Zach Sieler blocked a field goal attempt by Andy Borregales, with Jason Marshall Jr. recovering the ball. It was the Dolphins’ second blocked field goal in two weeks after Zeke Biggers blocked one in a 20-17 win over Tampa Bay.
Patriots defensive lineman Christian Barmore later sacked Ewers, but the quarterback answered by finding Wright for a 10-yard gain to set up a 52-yard field goal by Riley Patterson, trimming New England’s lead to 14-10.
Borregales rebounded from the earlier miss, and Maye used his dual-threat ability to help set up a career-long 59-yard Borregales field goal before halftime, giving the Patriots a 17-10 lead at the break.
Ewers opened the second half by hitting Dulcich for 20 yards on third-and-16, but he threw his first interception of the game on the next series when Jaylinn Hawkins picked off a pass intended for Wease.
On the ensuing possession, Maye connected with Henry for 29 yards, Stevenson continued to churn out yards, and New England extended its lead when Maye found Stevenson for a 15-yard touchdown pass near the back of the endzone.
Ewers was later sacked by defensive back Marcus Jones on third down, forcing Miami to punt.
On the Patriots’ next possession, Stevenson burst through the Dolphins defense for a 35-yard touchdown, his third of the day and the first three-touchdown game of his career. He totaled 131 rushing yards on just seven carries as New England pushed its lead to 31-10.
Ewers was later sacked by defensive lineman Elijah Ponder, New England’s third sack of the game. Maye then found Diggs for 34 yards and added a scramble for another first down, setting up Henderson’s second touchdown of the day. The score marked five total touchdowns by the Patriots’ running backs.
Miami continued its second-half struggles, failing to score in the third quarter for the first time since Oct. 30 in a 28-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football.
With the Patriots leading 38-10, Maye was pulled early in the fourth quarter and replaced by Josh Dobbs. Maye finished 14 of 18 for 191 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions, adding 41 rushing yards on five carries as he continued to build his MVP case.
Ewers was later sacked for the fourth time in the game by K’Lavon Chaisson, giving the linebacker 7.5 sacks on the season and triggering a $500,000 bonus.
The seventh round pick finish the game 16 of 23 for 137 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. He was also sacked four times.
Overall, it was a disappointing season for a Miami team that entered the year with playoff aspirations. The Dolphins mutually parted ways with longtime general manager Chris Grier and benched quarterback Tua Tagovailoa despite his four-year, $212.4 million extension signed in July 2024.
Miami will now turn its focus to the draft and free agency while evaluating its future at quarterback and head coach.
Up next:
Miami finishes the season at 7-10, missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year under coach Mike McDaniel.
New England (14-3) clinched the No. 2 seed in the AFC.
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