BSJ Game Report: Patriots 33, Dolphins 27 - Vrabel gets first win as the Patriots head coach

Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ 33-27 win over the Dolphins in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

HEADLINES

The Patriots win for the first time in Miami since 2019 when Despicable Me, Antonio Brown, played his one and only game with the team. It was a barnburner, with more ebbs and flows than a seapit at high tide

Drake Maye played his best game as a Patriot. He was in complete command, efficient both inside and out of the pocket. It also helped that Josh McDaniels established the run and stuck with it. That balance amplified the play-action game, and also allowed Maye to thrive on bootlegs, something they were unable to establish in week one. A wise-man who coached the greatest QB of his time reminded me you can't fast-forward a player's development. Perhaps, but boy, was this a cut-above from the second-year signal caller.

TURNING POINT

Antonio Gibson's kick return for a touchdown. The Pats had just surrendered a punt return for a touchdown themselves, and it felt like this was going to be another one of those days in Miami. Instead, the veteran running back approached the right side, busted out a filthy jump cut off Jack Westover's block, and then hit a crease and was off to the races for a 90-yard score. That put the Pats back in front, 30-27.

SECOND GUESS

Calling a pass play on second down of the 4th quarter, up 30-27. The two-minute warning happened, meaning the Fins, with one timeout, would likely have to use it on one of the next two plays (assuming run). Instead, the incomplete pass stopped the clock. Then, another completion, the Pats decided to go for it on 4th down and Morgan Moses got whistled for his second false start of the day. Luckily, Andres Borregales, he of the two missed extra points, drilled a 53-yard field goal to increase the lead to 6, 33-27, but by not running, the Pats saved the Dolphins their final timeout.  

THREE UP

Drake Maye - After all the talk about having too much on his plate, the second-year pro was poised, confident and decisive. His throw to Stevenson to kick start the offense late in the third quarter was beautiful, but his pocket presence was equally as sublime. Maye finished 19-of-23 for 230 yards and two scores, and ran for another 31 and a TD.

Marte Mapu. I'm as surprised as you. Mapu made a critical, game-sealing interception of Tua Tagovailoa near midfield on a 4th-and-gotta-have-it just prior to the 2-minute warning. Mapu has struggled making the transition from safety to linebacker, but on that play, those defensive backs instincts showed up in a big way. Of course, he could have also ended up in the other column, but Achane's apparent touchdown catch in the was taken off the board because the running back stepped out of bounds. Phew.

Gibson. He nearly broke a kickoff return in the opener, and then did break one today. Raise your hand if you wanted him traded at one point this offseason or even at the start of camp (Not me. No way, no how). You are forgiven.

MANY DOWN

Craig Woodson - Appeared to be complicit in the long completion to Tyreek Hill to start the second half, and then got whistled for a hold on the ensuing kick return, backing the Pats to their 17-yard line. Also missed a tackle on Devon Achane's TD reception and was late to get over on a 23-yard completion to Jaylen Waddle in the third quarter. Achane finished with 8 catches for 92 yards.

Alex Austin - Was in man-to-man coverage on the backside on zone vs. Waddle in the 1st half and got beat easily for a touchdown, then couldn't locate the ball on the 47-yarder to Tyreek Hill.

Robert Spillane/Christian Elliss - Neither could hang with Achane, and also struggled against some of the space plays Miami created with motions/formational variance. TreVeyon Henderson - Got called for two penalties (a hold on blitz pickup and one on a kick return) and also got overwhelmed in pass protection for a sack.Charles Woods/Brenden Schooler - They were the gunners on Malik Washington's punt return for a touchdown that briefly allowed the Dolphins to retake the lead. Both had him, and both missed Washington. You could add Bryce Baringer to this list, but he's a punter. He wasn't making that tacke.INJURIESWoodson (head) was injured on a 3rd quarter tackle and had to be helped off the field, but later returned. Christian Barmore and Carlton Davis also left and returned. 

TOP PLAYS

The play from @DrakeMaye2 to @dreeday32 that set up the score ⏩

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/F20NTJVCSr

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 14, 2025

THREE TAKES GIARDI WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

Let Drake run. I have not been a proponent of this either last year or at the start of this season. But he looked so much more natural today, either in the pocket, knowing he could take off, or on those bootlegs (which he thrived off of). The boots/rollouts also simplify the reads because you just have fewer options, and Maye was decisive on those plays. 

The money the Pats invested at the inside linebacker position has not proven to be well-spent through the first two weeks. After a subpar performance in week one against Las Vegas, Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss found themselves exposed repeatedly in pass coverage against the speedy Devon Achane. Covering running backs and tight ends has been a massive problem for the Pats all summer, despite a scheme that has brought in lighter, quicker players. As the game wore on, we saw Mapu and Jack Gibbens get reps at LB. It could have been because of the heat or because the starters were exposed.

Cut the kicker. Or at least bring in competition this week. Borregales missed two extra points, and then after that 53-yard field goal, missed the landing zone on the ensuing kickoff, giving Miami the ball at it's 40. I mean, come on, dude. Parker Romo, by the way, signed with Atlanta this week.

BONUS TAKE: Rhamondre Stevenson is back. He ran his ass off, ran physically, and had the best offensive play of the day on that 55-yard reception, showing soft hands.