New England Patriots vs Miami Dolphins Match Player Stats
The new england patriots vs miami dolphins match player stats from September 14, 2025, tell a much more detailed story than the final score alone. New England defeated Miami 33-27 at Hard Rock Stadium, but the Dolphins actually finished with more total yards, more passing yards, and more total offensive efficiency per play. The difference came from how effectively the Patriots converted opportunities into points, protected the football, controlled the ground game, and created impact plays in the kicking and return phases.
This was a particularly useful game for evaluating player performance because the statistical profile was unusually balanced in some areas and sharply different in others. Miami produced 358 total yards compared with New England’s 333, yet the Patriots won. The Patriots also rushed for 122 yards compared with only 61 for Miami, converted 7 of 12 third downs, and finished 1 of 1 on fourth down. Miami went 4 of 10 on third down and 0 of 2 on fourth down. The official NFL game summary confirms the final 33-27 score and the major team statistical splits.
The result therefore offers a strong example of why individual statistics should not be viewed in isolation. Drake Maye did not throw for as many yards as Tua Tagovailoa, but he was more efficient with fewer attempts and no interceptions. Rhamondre Stevenson was productive as both a runner and receiver. Tyreek Hill topped Miami’s receiving chart, while De’Von Achane and Jaylen Waddle also made significant contributions through the air. On defense, Christian Elliss led New England in tackles, while Tyrel Dodson led Miami.
New england patriots vs miami dolphins match player stats: Game Overview
The matchup took place on September 14, 2025, during Week 2 of the NFL regular season. New England entered the contest looking for its first win after losing to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1. Miami also entered at 0-1 after losing to the Indianapolis Colts.
The Patriots eventually left Miami with a 33-27 victory and improved to 1-1. The Dolphins dropped to 0-2. The official NFL schedule records the result as a Patriots road win.
Final Score
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| New England Patriots | 12 | 3 | 8 | 10 | 33 |
| Miami Dolphins | 0 | 14 | 6 | 7 | 27 |
The scoring pattern is important.
New England controlled the opening quarter by scoring 12 unanswered points. Miami responded with 14 points in the second quarter, turning a 12-0 deficit into a 14-12 halftime lead. The Patriots then recovered in the second half, scoring 8 points in the third quarter and 10 in the fourth.
That comeback structure tells us that this was not a simple wire-to-wire victory. Miami had a strong middle portion of the game, but New England ultimately produced the more effective combination of offense, defense, and special teams.
Basic Team Statistics
| Category | Patriots | Dolphins |
| Total yards | 333 | 358 |
| Passing yards | 211 net | 297 net |
| Rushing yards | 122 | 61 |
| Offensive plays | 55 | 52 |
| Yards per play | 6.1 | 6.9 |
| First downs | 18 | 16 |
| Third down | 7/12 | 4/10 |
| Fourth down | 1/1 | 0/2 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 33:45 | 26:15 |
| Penalties | 12-75 | 10-65 |
The most revealing statistic is arguably third-down efficiency.
New England converted 58.3% of its third downs, while Miami converted only 40%. That gave the Patriots additional opportunities to keep drives alive and helped produce a time-of-possession advantage of more than seven minutes.
Drake Maye vs Tua Tagovailoa
The quarterback comparison is one of the most important parts of the new england patriots vs miami dolphins match player stats.
Drake Maye completed 19 of 23 passes for 230 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Tua Tagovailoa completed 26 of 32 passes for 315 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
At first glance, Tua’s numbers look superior because of the large difference in passing yardage. But efficiency changes the interpretation.
Drake Maye’s Passing Performance
Maye finished with:
- 19 completions on 23 attempts
- 230 passing yards
- 10.0 yards per completion attempt according to the supplied game data
- 2 passing touchdowns
- 0 interceptions
- 3 sacks for 19 yards
- 78.3 QBR
- 137.3 passer rating
- 31 rushing yards
- 1 rushing touchdown
Completing 19 of 23 attempts means Maye completed 82.6% of his passes. That is an excellent completion rate for a quarterback operating against an NFL defense.
More importantly, he avoided the major mistake. Miami intercepted Tua once, while Maye did not throw an interception.
Maye also contributed with his legs. His 10 rushing attempts produced 31 yards and a touchdown, giving New England an additional dimension that Miami had to account for.
The official game statistics list Maye at 19 completions on 23 attempts with no interceptions and 230 gross passing yards.
Tua Tagovailoa’s Passing Performance
Tagovailoa recorded:
- 26 completions on 32 attempts
- 315 passing yards
- 2 passing touchdowns
- 1 interception
- 5 sacks for 18 yards
- 49.2 QBR
- 115.5 passer rating
His 315 passing yards were the highest passing total in the game.
That number should not be dismissed. Miami consistently moved the ball through the air, and Tua successfully connected with multiple weapons. However, the extra passing production did not translate into a victory.
One reason is that Miami’s passing volume was partially necessary because the running game struggled. The Dolphins attempted only 15 rushing plays for 61 yards.
Tua also absorbed five sacks. Even though the official team statistics show only 18 yards lost on those sacks, the five negative plays disrupted offensive rhythm and created longer situations.
Who Won the Quarterback Battle?
If the comparison is based purely on passing volume, Tua wins.
If the comparison is based on efficiency, mistake avoidance, rushing contribution, and winning football, Maye has the stronger overall case.
Maye’s 19-of-23 performance was particularly efficient. He also contributed a rushing touchdown and avoided turnovers. Tua produced more yardage, but his interception and five sacks were costly.
This is a good example of why quarterback evaluation should include more than passing yards.
Rhamondre Stevenson Was New England’s Most Versatile Offensive Weapon
One of the clearest findings in the new england patriots vs miami dolphins match player stats is the performance of Rhamondre Stevenson.
Stevenson led New England in rushing and receiving yardage.
Rushing Production
Stevenson carried the ball 11 times for:
- 54 yards
- 4.9 yards per carry
- 21-yard long
- 0 rushing touchdowns
His 54 yards represented a major portion of New England’s 122 rushing yards.
He was not simply a short-yardage runner. The 21-yard run demonstrates that he could generate explosive gains when the Patriots created an opening.
Receiving Production
Stevenson was even more impressive as a receiver.
He caught five passes for:
- 88 yards
- 17.6 yards per reception
- 55-yard long
- 5 targets
- 0 receiving touchdowns
The 55-yard reception was the longest offensive play recorded for New England in the game. The official NFL game report identifies Maye’s deep pass to Stevenson as a 55-yard completion.
That play is important because it illustrates how the Patriots generated explosive offense without needing Maye to attempt a high number of passes.
Stevenson’s combined rushing and receiving output was 142 yards from scrimmage. That is a huge contribution in a one-score game.
His performance also complicated Miami’s defensive planning. A running back capable of producing explosive gains both on the ground and as a receiving target forces a defense to remain disciplined after the snap.
Patriots Receiving Breakdown
New England completed 19 passes for 230 gross yards and two touchdowns.
The receiving distribution was relatively balanced, although Stevenson clearly stood out.
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | 5 | 88 | 17.6 | 0 | 55 |
| Austin Hooper | 3 | 38 | 12.7 | 0 | 22 |
| Stefon Diggs | 4 | 32 | 8.0 | 0 | 10 |
| TreVeyon Henderson | 2 | 30 | 15.0 | 0 | 15 |
| Kayshon Boutte | 1 | 16 | 16.0 | 1 | 16 |
| Hunter Henry | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 0 | 9 |
| Mack Hollins | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 1 | 8 |
| DeMario Douglas | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 0 | 8 |
| Antonio Gibson | 1 | 1 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 |
Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins each scored receiving touchdowns.
The distribution suggests that New England did not depend on one traditional wide receiver to carry the passing game. Instead, Maye spread the ball across running backs, tight ends, receivers, and complementary targets.
Stefon Diggs’ Role
Diggs caught four passes for 32 yards on five targets.
That is not a dominant statistical performance, but it does not mean he was irrelevant. The Patriots were able to win while distributing targets among several players.
From a game-planning perspective, the ability to move the ball without requiring one receiver to produce 100 yards can make an offense harder to defend.
Miami Dolphins Receiving Breakdown
Miami’s passing attack produced 315 gross yards and two touchdowns.
Tyreek Hill led the team in receiving yards, but the Dolphins received significant production from De’Von Achane and Jaylen Waddle.
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
| Tyreek Hill | 6 | 109 | 18.2 | 0 | 47 |
| De’Von Achane | 8 | 92 | 11.5 | 1 | 29 |
| Jaylen Waddle | 5 | 68 | 13.6 | 1 | 23 |
| Nick Westbrook-Ikhine | 2 | 18 | 9.0 | 0 | 11 |
| Alec Ingold | 2 | 13 | 6.5 | 0 | 9 |
| Dee Eskridge | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 0 | 8 |
| Ollie Gordon II | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 0 | 5 |
| Malik Washington | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 0 | 2 |
Hill’s 109 yards were the only 100-yard receiving performance in the game.
His 18.2 yards per reception average demonstrates how dangerous Miami remained vertically. His longest reception covered 47 yards.
Achane’s receiving performance was also significant. He caught eight passes for 92 yards and a touchdown. That gave him 122 total yards when his 30 rushing yards are included.
Waddle added five catches for 68 yards and a touchdown.
Together, Hill, Achane, and Waddle accounted for 269 receiving yards, which represented the overwhelming majority of Miami’s passing production.
De’Von Achane’s Dual-Threat Performance
Achane’s statistical profile deserves special attention.
As a runner, he carried 11 times for only 30 yards, averaging 2.7 yards per carry.
As a receiver, he caught eight passes for 92 yards.
That difference is one of the biggest tactical lessons from the game.
Miami struggled to generate consistent rushing production, but Achane remained highly productive when used as a receiver. His 92 receiving yards transformed him from a relatively inefficient runner into one of Miami’s most important offensive players.
The issue was not a lack of individual talent. It was the inability to turn enough of that production into sustained scoring drives.
Patriots Running Game vs Dolphins Running Game
The rushing disparity was substantial.
New England:
- 29 rushing attempts
- 122 yards
- 4.2 yards per carry
- 1 rushing touchdown
Miami:
- 15 rushing attempts
- 61 yards
- 4.1 yards per carry
- 0 rushing touchdowns
The average per carry was almost identical, but New England had twice as many rushing attempts.
That volume mattered.
The Patriots used the ground game to stay balanced, control possession, and put Maye in manageable passing situations.
Patriots Rushing Leaders
Rhamondre Stevenson led with 54 yards.
Maye followed with 31 yards and a rushing touchdown.
Antonio Gibson added 27 yards on five attempts, averaging 5.4 yards per carry.
TreVeyon Henderson recorded 10 rushing yards on three attempts.
Gibson’s 15-yard run was particularly useful in creating an explosive contribution outside the primary rushing workload.
Dolphins Rushing Leaders
Achane led Miami with 30 rushing yards.
Malik Washington added 23 yards on three carries, averaging 7.7 yards per attempt.
Ollie Gordon II had one carry for eight yards.
The problem for Miami was not the absence of individual explosive runs. It was the lack of consistent rushing volume and efficiency across the offense.
Defensive Player Stats
Defense played a major role even though the game featured 60 combined points.
New England recorded:
- 61 total tackles
- 42 solo tackles
- 5 sacks
- 6 tackles for loss
- 2 passes defended
- 5 quarterback hits
- 1 interception
Miami recorded:
- 66 total tackles
- 34 solo tackles
- 3 sacks
- 4 tackles for loss
- 2 passes defended
- 3 quarterback hits
- 0 interceptions
Christian Elliss Leads Patriots
Christian Elliss led New England with eight total tackles, including five solo tackles.
The Patriots also received an interception from Marte Mapu, who returned it 20 yards.
That interception was the only turnover generated by either team’s defense.
Tyrel Dodson Leads Dolphins
Tyrel Dodson led Miami with nine total tackles, including six solo tackles.
Miami actually recorded more total tackles than New England, 66 to 61. That statistic, however, should not be interpreted as defensive superiority.
A defense can accumulate tackles while still allowing efficient drives and explosive plays.
New England’s five sacks compared with Miami’s three were more directly connected to disruption.
The Special Teams Difference
Special teams were one of the most important reasons the final score did not match the overall yardage advantage.
New England’s Antonio Gibson returned six kickoffs for 171 yards, averaging 28.5 yards per return. His longest return was 90 yards, and he scored a kickoff-return touchdown.
Miami did not record a kickoff return touchdown.
The Dolphins did, however, produce an explosive punt return. Malik Washington returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown.
So both teams generated return touchdowns, but New England’s kickoff return and Miami’s punt return came in different phases.
Kicking
Andy Borregales went 2 for 2 on field goals, with a long of 53 yards.
He scored seven points overall.
Riley Patterson was also perfect on field goals, going 2 for 2 with a long of 44 yards. He made all three of his extra-point attempts and scored nine points.
The Patriots had extra-point difficulties, going 1 for 3 on extra-point attempts according to the supplied data.
That is an unusual wrinkle in a game New England won by six points.
Why New England Won Despite Fewer Total Yards
The simplest explanation is efficiency.
Miami generated 358 total yards compared with New England’s 333, but the Patriots scored 33 points.
Several factors explain the difference.
1. New England Won Third Down
The Patriots converted 7 of 12 third downs.
Miami converted only 4 of 10.
This allowed New England to extend drives and keep Miami’s offense on the sideline.
2. New England Won the Rushing Battle
The Patriots gained 122 rushing yards.
Miami gained only 61.
That 61-yard difference was one of the largest statistical advantages in the game.
3. New England Avoided an Interception
Maye threw zero interceptions.
Tua threw one.
In a six-point game, that difference matters.
4. New England Won Time of Possession
The Patriots possessed the ball for 33:45.
Miami had possession for 26:15.
That is a difference of 7:30.
More possession time gave New England more opportunities to establish its offense and reduced the number of possessions available to Miami.
5. The Patriots Made the Better Use of Explosive Plays
Stevenson’s 55-yard reception and Gibson’s 90-yard kickoff return were major field-position and scoring influences.
Miami also had explosive plays, particularly through Hill and Washington, but New England’s combination of offensive and special-teams explosives proved decisive.
Red-Zone Efficiency
Red-zone performance is another key area.
New England went 3 for 4 in the red zone, a 75% touchdown rate.
Miami went 1 for 2, a 50% rate.
That difference is enormous in a close game.
New England reached the red zone four times and scored touchdowns on three occasions.
Miami reached it twice and scored once.
The Dolphins were able to move the ball between the 20-yard lines, but their opportunities inside the scoring area were fewer and less productive.
This is one reason total yardage can create a misleading impression.
Third-Down and Fourth-Down Execution
The Patriots were substantially better on money downs.
New England:
- Third down: 7/12
- Fourth down: 1/1
Miami:
- Third down: 4/10
- Fourth down: 0/2
New England’s 100% fourth-down conversion rate was especially important.
Miami’s inability to convert either fourth-down attempt meant two possessions ended without the desired result.
When the final margin is only six points, fourth-down execution becomes a meaningful part of the outcome.
Turnover Analysis
Turnovers were relatively limited.
New England had one fumble but did not lose it.
Miami had no recorded fumbles.
The only interception came from Miami’s offense.
Therefore, New England finished with no lost turnovers while Miami committed one turnover.
That is not a massive turnover differential, but it still favored the winning team.
The Patriots also turned their defensive takeaway into additional pressure on Miami’s offense.
What the Player Stats Reveal About Each Offense
The box score provides several lessons beyond individual totals.
New England’s Offense Was Balanced
New England rushed 29 times and passed 23 times.
That balance is reflected in the offensive play distribution.
The Patriots did not ask Maye to throw 40 or 45 passes.
Instead, they used the running game, Maye’s mobility, and high-value completions to create scoring opportunities.
Miami Became More Pass-Heavy
Miami rushed only 15 times while attempting 32 passes.
That imbalance was partly a response to the game situation.
After falling behind early, the Dolphins needed to throw more frequently.
That helped produce 315 passing yards but also exposed the offense to five sacks and an interception.
Miami’s Skill Players Still Produced
It would be inaccurate to describe Miami’s offense as simply poor.
Hill had 109 yards.
Achane had 92 receiving yards.
Waddle had 68 yards and a touchdown.
Tua threw for 315 yards and two touchdowns.
The issue was how those individual successes translated into team-level efficiency.
What the New England Patriots vs Miami Dolphins Match Player Stats Say About Drake Maye
Maye’s performance stands out because it combined efficiency with controlled aggression.
- His 19 completions on 23 attempts demonstrate accuracy.
- His two passing touchdowns show scoring efficiency.
- His zero interceptions demonstrate ball security.
- His 31 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown add another dimension.
At the same time, three sacks show that there was still room for improvement in pocket management and protection.
The most encouraging element is that Maye did not need huge passing volume to lead the Patriots to victory.
He operated efficiently within the team’s overall offensive structure.
What the Stats Say About Tua Tagovailoa
Tua’s 315 passing yards and two touchdowns show that he was capable of producing against New England’s defense.
However, the five sacks and one interception show the limitations of the overall offensive performance.
The quarterback was not solely responsible.
Miami rushed for only 61 yards, putting greater pressure on the passing attack.
When an offense becomes predictable, defensive pressure can become easier to generate.
Tua’s numbers therefore need to be understood in the context of the entire offensive structure.
Most Important Individual Performances
Based on the supplied statistics, these were the most significant performances.
New England
Drake Maye: 19/23, 230 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT, plus 31 rushing yards and 1 rushing TD.
Rhamondre Stevenson: 54 rushing yards and 88 receiving yards.
Antonio Gibson: 27 rushing yards plus a 90-yard kickoff return touchdown.
Kayshon Boutte: 16-yard receiving touchdown.
Christian Elliss: 8 tackles.
Marte Mapu: 1 interception and 20 return yards.
Miami
Tua Tagovailoa: 26/32, 315 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT.
Tyreek Hill: 6 receptions, 109 yards.
De’Von Achane: 30 rushing yards and 92 receiving yards with 1 receiving TD.
Jaylen Waddle: 5 receptions, 68 yards, 1 TD.
Tyrel Dodson: 9 tackles.
Malik Washington: 74-yard punt-return touchdown.
The Biggest Statistical Takeaway
The central lesson from the new england patriots vs miami dolphins match player stats is that yardage does not equal victory.
Miami gained 358 total yards.
New England gained 333.
Miami averaged 6.9 yards per offensive play.
New England averaged 6.1.
Yet New England scored six more points.
The Patriots won because they were better in several high-leverage categories:
- Rushing volume and production
- Third-down conversion
- Fourth-down execution
- Red-zone efficiency
- Turnover avoidance
- Time of possession
- Explosive special-teams production
Those categories collectively outweighed Miami’s advantage in total and passing yardage.
A Practical Way to Read NFL Player Stats
For readers who regularly search for player statistics, it is useful to use a layered approach.
Start with the basic box score:
- Passing
- Rushing
- Receiving
- Tackles
- Sacks
- Interceptions
- Touchdowns
Then move to efficiency:
- Completion percentage
- Yards per attempt
- Yards per carry
- Third-down percentage
- Red-zone efficiency
Finally, examine game context:
- Score situation
- Time of possession
- Turnovers
- Field position
- Explosive plays
- Fourth-down decisions
This approach prevents a common mistake: assuming the player with the largest raw number automatically had the biggest impact.
Tua had more passing yards than Maye.
Hill had more receiving yards than every Patriots receiver.
Miami had more total yards.
But New England still won.
That is why game context is essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Patriots vs Dolphins game on September 14, 2025?
The New England Patriots defeated the Miami Dolphins 33-27 at Hard Rock Stadium. New England improved to 1-1, while Miami fell to 0-2.
How many passing yards did Drake Maye have against Miami?
Drake Maye completed 19 of 23 passes for 230 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He also rushed for 31 yards and a touchdown.
How many passing yards did Tua Tagovailoa have?
Tua Tagovailoa completed 26 of 32 passes for 315 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
Who was the Patriots’ leading receiver?
Rhamondre Stevenson led New England with five receptions for 88 yards. His longest reception covered 55 yards.
Who led the Dolphins in receiving?
Tyreek Hill led Miami with six receptions for 109 yards. De’Von Achane added 92 receiving yards and Jaylen Waddle recorded 68.
Which team had more total yards?
Miami had more total yards, 358 to New England’s 333. However, New England won the game because it was more effective in several high-leverage categories, including third downs, rushing production, red-zone efficiency, and turnover avoidance.
Conclusion
The new england patriots vs miami dolphins match player stats from September 14, 2025, provide a strong example of how an NFL game can be decided by efficiency rather than raw yardage.
New England won 33-27 despite Miami producing 358 total yards compared with 333 for the Patriots. Drake Maye delivered a highly efficient performance with 230 passing yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions, while also contributing 31 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
Rhamondre Stevenson was arguably the Patriots’ most complete offensive weapon, combining 54 rushing yards with 88 receiving yards. His 55-yard reception was one of the game’s most important explosive offensive plays.
Miami’s offense produced plenty of individual success. Tua Tagovailoa threw for 315 yards and two touchdowns. Tyreek Hill reached 109 receiving yards, while De’Von Achane contributed 92 receiving yards and a touchdown. Jaylen Waddle added 68 yards and another receiving touchdown.
Still, New England controlled the areas that most directly influenced the result. The Patriots rushed for 122 yards, converted 58.3% of third downs, went 1 for 1 on fourth down, scored touchdowns on 75% of their red-zone trips, held the ball for 33:45, and avoided a lost turnover.
The final box score therefore tells a useful lesson for anyone analyzing NFL games: the biggest statistical number is not always the most important one. Understanding how passing, rushing, defensive pressure, turnovers, third-down execution, red-zone results, and special teams interact provides a much clearer explanation of why one team wins.
For the complete official record, the NFL game center and official game statistics provide the authoritative reference for this matchup. NFL official game center and statistics
