Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots Match Player Stats
The miami dolphins vs new england patriots match player stats from September 14, 2025, tell the story of a close AFC East contest in which the New England Patriots defeated the Miami Dolphins 33-27. Although Miami produced more passing yards and completed more passes, New England made better use of key opportunities, including a defensive interception, a spectacular kickoff return touchdown by Antonio Gibson, and an efficient passing performance from quarterback Drake Maye. The six-point result reflected the importance of special teams, defensive pressure, and scoring efficiency rather than passing volume alone.
The game provided a useful example of how NFL contests can turn on a handful of high-impact plays. Tua Tagovailoa threw for 315 yards and two touchdowns, while Maye finished with 230 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and no interceptions. Miami also received significant contributions from Tyreek Hill, De’Von Achane, and Jaylen Waddle. However, New England’s ability to create scoring opportunities through different phases of the game helped the Patriots secure the victory.
This article breaks down the final score, quarterback performances, rushing and receiving statistics, defensive contributions, special teams, and the key numbers that explain the outcome. All game-specific statistics below are based on the supplied ESPN box-score data for September 14, 2025.
Game Overview: Patriots 33, Dolphins 27
The New England Patriots entered the contest looking to establish themselves in the AFC East, while the Miami Dolphins were seeking their first win of the 2025 season. The final result gave New England a 1-1 overall record and Miami an 0-2 record, according to the standings displayed with the game.
New England Patriots
Away team · Record shown: 1-1
33
Miami Dolphins
Home team · Record shown: 0-2
27
Game date
September 14, 2025
Final margin
Patriots by 6
Venue designation
Miami home game
Competition
NFL regular season
Quarter-by-quarter scoring
| Quarter | New England Patriots | Miami Dolphins |
| First quarter | 12 | 0 |
| Second quarter | 3 | 14 |
| Third quarter | 8 | 6 |
| Fourth quarter | 10 | 7 |
| Final score | 33 | 27 |
The opening quarter established New England’s early advantage. The Patriots scored 12 points while holding Miami scoreless, forcing the Dolphins to spend much of the remaining game trying to recover.
Miami responded with 14 points in the second quarter and took control of that period’s scoring. The Dolphins remained competitive after halftime, adding six points in the third quarter and seven in the fourth.
New England’s 10-point fourth quarter proved important. Miami also scored seven points in the final period, but that was not enough to erase the difference created by the Patriots’ earlier scoring and special-teams production.
The quarter-by-quarter numbers demonstrate why a final score alone cannot fully explain a game. Miami generated momentum after its slow start, but New England maintained enough scoring pressure to finish ahead.
Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots Match Player Stats: Quarterback Comparison
Quarterback statistics are a natural starting point for evaluating the matchup, but they need to be considered alongside turnovers, sacks, rushing contributions, and points scored.
| Passing statistic | Drake Maye | Tua Tagovailoa |
| Completions/attempts | 19/23 | 26/32 |
| Completion percentage | 82.6% | 81.3% |
| Passing yards | 230 | 315 |
| Yards per attempt | 10.0 | 9.8 |
| Passing touchdowns | 2 | 2 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 1 |
| Sacks taken | 3 | 5 |
| Sack yards lost | 19 | 18 |
| ESPN QBR | 78.3 | 49.2 |
| Passer rating | 137.3 | 115.5 |
Completion percentages are calculated from the supplied completions and attempts and rounded to one decimal place.
Drake Maye’s efficient performance
Drake Maye completed 19 of 23 passes for 230 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. His 82.6% completion rate and 137.3 passer rating reflected a highly efficient outing.
Three figures stand out.
First, Maye averaged 10.0 yards per passing attempt. This indicates that New England generated substantial yardage without needing a large number of throws. The Patriots were able to make productive use of their passing opportunities.
Second, Maye avoided interceptions. Protecting the football allowed New England to retain possession and reduced the chances of giving Miami a short field through a turnover.
Third, Maye added value as a runner. He carried the ball 10 times for 31 yards and scored one rushing touchdown. That contribution gave Miami’s defense another responsibility beyond covering the Patriots’ receivers.
Maye was sacked three times, so the offensive performance was not flawless. Nevertheless, his passing efficiency and ability to contribute on the ground helped New England produce 33 points.
Tua Tagovailoa’s high-volume passing game
Tagovailoa completed 26 of 32 attempts for 315 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 9.8 yards per attempt and recorded a 115.5 passer rating.
His 315 passing yards exceeded Maye’s total by 85 yards. Miami also completed seven more passes than New England. These numbers show that the Dolphins generated considerable offensive production through the air.
However, Tagovailoa threw one interception and took five sacks. Those plays matter because successful passing drives require more than accumulated yardage. A quarterback can move the ball effectively while still experiencing costly setbacks that reduce the value of individual possessions.
Tagovailoa’s 49.2 ESPN QBR was also lower than Maye’s 78.3. QBR and traditional passer rating use different methods, so they should not be compared as if they were the same statistic. Both are best understood as additional context rather than complete explanations of quarterback performance.
Which quarterback performed better?
Maye had the stronger overall statistical efficiency in this particular game, while Tagovailoa produced more total passing yards.
The distinction is important. Tagovailoa’s 315 yards show that Miami could move the football, but Maye’s combination of two passing touchdowns, zero interceptions, a higher passer rating, and a rushing touchdown supported New England’s scoring effort.
Neither passing-yard totals nor completion percentage alone can establish which quarterback had the greater impact. The surrounding game situation and contributions from defense and special teams must also be considered.
Rushing Statistics: Patriots and Dolphins Ground Game
The rushing numbers reveal one of the clearest differences between the two offenses. New England gained more total rushing yards and recorded a rushing touchdown, while Miami struggled to generate consistent production from its primary running back.
| Rushing statistic | Patriots | Dolphins |
| Team rushing attempts | 29 | 15 |
| Team rushing yards | 122 | 61 |
| Average yards per carry | 4.2 | 4.1 |
| Rushing touchdowns | 1 | 0 |
| Longest rush | 21 yards | 18 yards |
The Patriots finished with 61 more rushing yards than the Dolphins and recorded almost twice as many rushing attempts. Their average per carry was only slightly higher, but the difference in total volume and touchdown production helped New England sustain its offensive balance.
Rhamondre Stevenson leads New England
Rhamondre Stevenson was New England’s leading rusher, finishing with 11 carries for 54 yards. He averaged 4.9 yards per attempt and recorded a long run of 21 yards.
| Patriots rushing player | Carries | Yards | Average | TDs | Long |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | 11 | 54 | 4.9 | 0 | 21 |
| Drake Maye | 10 | 31 | 3.1 | 1 | 13 |
| Antonio Gibson | 5 | 27 | 5.4 | 0 | 15 |
| TreVeyon Henderson | 3 | 10 | 3.3 | 0 | 6 |
| Team total | 29 | 122 | 4.2 | 1 | 21 |
Stevenson’s 54 yards made him the team’s leading conventional rushing option. His 4.9-yard average was also higher than the team average, indicating that his carries were productive relative to the overall ground game.
Antonio Gibson added 27 yards on five attempts, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. Although his rushing total was smaller than Stevenson’s, his efficiency contributed to a useful secondary option.
Maye’s 31 rushing yards and one touchdown deserve separate attention. A quarterback touchdown on the ground can force defenders to account for the quarterback near the goal line, potentially opening opportunities for other offensive players.
TreVeyon Henderson carried the ball three times for 10 yards. His smaller workload provided another rushing option, although the available figures do not establish how his usage affected individual defensive assignments.
De’Von Achane’s challenging rushing performance
Miami’s rushing attack produced 61 yards on 15 attempts, with De’Von Achane leading the team in carries and rushing yards.
| Dolphins rushing player | Carries | Yards | Average | TDs | Long |
| De’Von Achane | 11 | 30 | 2.7 | 0 | 9 |
| Malik Washington | 3 | 23 | 7.7 | 0 | 18 |
| Ollie Gordon II | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 0 | 8 |
| Team total | 15 | 61 | 4.1 | 0 | 18 |
Achane carried the ball 11 times but managed only 30 yards, averaging 2.7 yards per attempt. His longest run was nine yards, and he did not score a rushing touchdown.
That average suggests Miami found it difficult to generate substantial yardage through Achane’s conventional rushing opportunities in this contest. It does not, by itself, prove that the offensive line was responsible. Run outcomes can depend on blocking, defensive alignment, penetration, play selection, and the situation in which a carry occurs.
Malik Washington gained 23 yards on three rushing attempts, including an 18-yard run. Ollie Gordon II added eight yards on his single carry. Both players posted better per-carry averages than Achane, but their limited attempts make direct comparisons less reliable.
What the rushing comparison tells us
New England’s advantage was not simply about average rushing efficiency. The Patriots ran the ball 14 more times, gained twice as many rushing yards, and recorded a rushing touchdown.
A balanced rushing attack can help an offense control the pace of a game, create manageable down-and-distance situations, and reduce the need to depend entirely on passing. In this matchup, New England’s rushing output complemented Maye’s passing performance.
Miami, by comparison, relied more heavily on its passing attack. The Dolphins could still move the ball through the air, but their lower rushing total gave them fewer yards from the ground and no rushing touchdown to add to their scoring options.
Receiving Statistics: Tyreek Hill, De’Von Achane, and Rhamondre Stevenson
The receiving statistics show that Miami’s passing game produced more total yardage, with Tyreek Hill leading the Dolphins and Achane providing significant value as a receiver out of the backfield.
New England’s receiving production was more spread across its listed contributors, with Stevenson unexpectedly leading the team in receiving yards.
Patriots receiving leaders
| Player | Receptions | Targets | Yards | Yards per catch | TDs |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | 5 | 5 | 88 | 17.6 | 0 |
| Austin Hooper | 3 | 3 | 38 | 12.7 | 0 |
| Stefon Diggs | 4 | 5 | 32 | 8.0 | 0 |
| TreVeyon Henderson | 2 | 2 | 30 | 15.0 | 0 |
| Kayshon Boutte | 1 | 1 | 16 | 16.0 | 1 |
| Hunter Henry | 1 | 3 | 9 | 9.0 | 0 |
| Mack Hollins | 1 | 2 | 8 | 8.0 | 1 |
| DeMario Douglas | 1 | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 0 |
| Antonio Gibson | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1.0 | 0 |
| Team total | 19 | 23 | 230 | 12.1 | 2 |
TD means receiving touchdowns in this table.
Rhamondre Stevenson makes an impact in the passing game
Stevenson’s five receptions for 88 yards made him New England’s leading receiver by yardage. He averaged 17.6 yards per reception and recorded a long catch of 55 yards.
The combination of 54 rushing yards and 88 receiving yards gave Stevenson 142 yards from scrimmage, excluding any return yardage. That total made him one of the most productive offensive players in the matchup.
His receiving performance is especially notable because running backs often serve as short-range passing options. Stevenson’s average of 17.6 yards per catch shows that his receptions produced considerably more yardage than a typical short checkdown would.
The supplied box-score figures do not identify the exact route or defensive coverage on each reception, so it would be inappropriate to assign his production to a particular tactical adjustment without the relevant play-by-play evidence.
Austin Hooper and Stefon Diggs contribute
Austin Hooper caught all three of his targets for 38 yards. His 12.7 yards per reception provided useful production from the tight end position.
Stefon Diggs recorded four catches on five targets for 32 yards. His 8.0-yard average was lower than those of several other Patriots receivers, but his four receptions provided Maye with a reliable completed-pass option.
TreVeyon Henderson caught two passes for 30 yards, averaging 15.0 yards per reception. This added a receiving dimension to his role in the offense.
Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins each recorded a receiving touchdown. Boutte finished with one catch for 16 yards, while Hollins caught one pass for eight yards. Both converted their limited receiving opportunities into touchdowns, highlighting the difference between total yardage and scoring impact.
Dolphins receiving leaders
| Player | Receptions | Targets | Yards | Yards per catch | TDs |
| Tyreek Hill | 6 | 7 | 109 | 18.2 | 0 |
| De’Von Achane | 8 | 10 | 92 | 11.5 | 1 |
| Jaylen Waddle | 5 | 6 | 68 | 13.6 | 1 |
| Nick Westbrook-Ikhine | 2 | 3 | 18 | 9.0 | 0 |
| Alec Ingold | 2 | 2 | 13 | 6.5 | 0 |
| Dee Eskridge | 1 | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 0 |
| Ollie Gordon II | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 0 |
| Malik Washington | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2.0 | 0 |
| Team total | 26 | 32 | 315 | 12.1 | 2 |
Tyreek Hill leads Miami with 109 receiving yards
Hill caught six passes on seven targets for 109 yards, averaging 18.2 yards per reception. His longest catch covered 47 yards.
Hill was Miami’s most productive receiver by yardage. His output accounted for more than one-third of the Dolphins’ 315 passing yards, making his contribution a major part of the team’s aerial production.
He did not record a receiving touchdown in the supplied statistics, but his yardage helped Miami advance the ball and maintain offensive pressure. A receiver’s impact cannot be judged by touchdowns alone, particularly when evaluating how often the player creates significant gains.
Hill’s seven targets also indicate that Tagovailoa looked his way regularly without directing the entire passing attack toward him.
De’Von Achane adds value as a receiver
Achane’s receiving performance contrasted with his rushing numbers. He caught eight passes on 10 targets for 92 yards and one touchdown.
His 11.5 yards per reception represented a productive contribution from a running back. Combined with his 30 rushing yards, Achane recorded 122 yards from scrimmage.
This distinction is important when assessing Miami’s offense. Achane struggled to gain consistent yardage on conventional carries, but he still created substantial value as a pass catcher. His receiving role gave Tagovailoa another way to move the ball when the ground attack was less productive.
The data also show that Achane received 10 targets, the most of any listed Dolphins receiver. That workload underscores how significant his receiving role was in this game.
Jaylen Waddle provides another scoring option
Waddle recorded five catches for 68 yards on six targets and scored one receiving touchdown. He averaged 13.6 yards per reception, with a long catch of 23 yards.
His contribution gave Miami a second productive wide receiver alongside Hill. While Hill led in total yardage, Waddle’s touchdown helped convert receiving production into points.
Together, Hill, Achane, and Waddle accounted for 269 of Miami’s 315 receiving yards. This means those three players generated approximately 85.4% of the team’s receiving yardage, illustrating how heavily Miami’s passing production depended on its primary offensive playmakers.
Comparing the receiving units
The Patriots and Dolphins each recorded two passing touchdowns, and both teams averaged 12.1 yards per reception according to the supplied team totals.
Miami had the higher receiving volume, with 26 catches on 32 targets compared with New England’s 19 catches on 23 targets. The Dolphins also gained 85 more receiving yards.
New England, however, received a significant portion of its production from Stevenson, who combined rushing and receiving contributions. The Patriots also scored through Boutte and Hollins, while Maye’s rushing touchdown added another scoring route.
The broader lesson is that receiving yardage is only one measure of offensive effectiveness. Catch volume, touchdown production, turnovers, rushing output, and special-teams scoring all influence the final result.
Defensive Player Stats: The Plays That Changed the Game
Defense was an important part of New England’s victory. The Patriots recorded an interception, five sacks, six tackles for loss, and five quarterback hits. Miami also generated defensive pressure, but the supplied statistics show fewer sacks and tackles for loss.
| Defensive statistic | Patriots | Dolphins |
| Total tackles | 61 | 66 |
| Solo tackles | 42 | 34 |
| Sacks | 5 | 3 |
| Tackles for loss | 6 | 4 |
| Passes defended | 2 | 2 |
| Quarterback hits | 5 | 3 |
| Defensive interceptions | 1 | 0 |
The Patriots recorded two more sacks than Miami and produced two additional tackles for loss. They also recorded the only interception listed in the supplied defensive statistics.
These differences help explain how New England could win despite allowing 315 passing yards. Defensive effectiveness is not determined solely by the number of yards allowed. Pressure, turnovers, field position, and the timing of defensive plays can all affect the final outcome.
Patriots defensive leaders
| Player | Total tackles | Solo tackles | Sacks | Other contribution |
| Christian Elliss | 8 | 5 | Not listed | Team tackle leader |
| Jaylinn Hawkins | 7 | 5 | Not listed | Defensive support |
| Craig Woodson | 6 | 4 | Not listed | Defensive support |
| Harold Landry III | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 TFL, 2 QB hits |
| Milton Williams | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 TFL, 1 QB hit |
| Robert Spillane | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 pass defended |
TFL means tackles for loss. QB hits means quarterback hits.
Christian Elliss leads the Patriots in tackles
Christian Elliss finished with eight total tackles, including five solo tackles. He led New England in total tackles according to the supplied figures.
Tackle totals can indicate how frequently a defender finishes plays, but they do not independently establish whether a player performed better than another defender. A linebacker might record numerous tackles because the opposing offense repeatedly targets his area, while another defender might influence plays through pressure or coverage.
Elliss’s eight tackles nevertheless represent a meaningful contribution to New England’s defensive workload.
Jaylinn Hawkins added seven tackles, including five solo stops, while Craig Woodson recorded six tackles and four solo tackles. Their contributions helped New England reach 61 total tackles.
Milton Williams creates pressure
Milton Williams recorded three tackles, two sacks, and two tackles for loss. He also registered one quarterback hit.
His two sacks were a particularly notable contribution in a game where Tagovailoa completed 26 passes and exceeded 300 passing yards. Sacks can disrupt offensive rhythm, create unfavorable down-and-distance situations, and remove potential passing yardage from a drive.
Williams’s two tackles for loss also indicate that he contributed to stopping plays behind the line of scrimmage. These plays can be valuable when an offense is trying to maintain a balanced attack.
Harold Landry III added one sack, one tackle for loss, and two quarterback hits. Robert Spillane recorded one sack and one pass defended.
The listed individual sack totals are not a complete accounting of the team’s five sacks, so the remaining team production should not be assigned to an unlisted player without additional verified data.
Dolphins defensive leaders
| Player | Total tackles | Solo tackles | Sacks | Other contribution |
| Tyrel Dodson | 9 | 6 | Not listed | Team tackle leader |
| Jordyn Brooks | 8 | 4 | 1 | 1 TFL, 1 QB hit |
| Minkah Fitzpatrick | 8 | 4 | Not listed | Defensive support |
| Bradley Chubb | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 TFL, 1 QB hit |
Tyrel Dodson tops Miami’s tackle chart
Tyrel Dodson recorded nine tackles, six of them solo. He led the Dolphins in total tackles, while Jordyn Brooks and Minkah Fitzpatrick each finished with eight.
Brooks added a sack, one tackle for loss, and one quarterback hit. Bradley Chubb recorded the same listed combination of one sack, one tackle for loss, and one quarterback hit, along with five total tackles.
Those contributions show that Miami’s defense did create pressure. The Dolphins recorded three team sacks, compared with five for New England, and also registered four tackles for loss.
The difference was not that Miami failed to make defensive plays. Rather, the Patriots generated more sacks and recorded an interception, while the Dolphins did not record an interception in the supplied statistics.
Marte Mapu’s interception
Marte Mapu recorded an interception for New England and returned it 20 yards without scoring a touchdown.
An interception can have an impact beyond the turnover itself. It ends the opponent’s possession, gives the defense credit for taking the ball away, and can create an opportunity for the offense to score with favorable field position.
The supplied data identify Mapu’s interception as a key game takeaway. They do not specify the exact quarter, the precise field position, or the number of points that followed directly from this particular turnover. Those details should not be inferred without consulting the play-by-play record.
For readers evaluating defensive performance, the central point is clear: New England recorded a turnover that Miami did not match with an interception of its own.
Special Teams: Antonio Gibson and Malik Washington Deliver Explosive Returns
Special teams were among the defining features of this matchup. Antonio Gibson returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown for New England, while Malik Washington returned a punt 74 yards for a Miami touchdown.
These plays helped create the unusual statistical picture of a game in which the losing team gained more passing yards but the winning team scored more points.
Antonio Gibson’s 90-yard kickoff return touchdown
Gibson returned six kickoffs for 171 yards, averaging 28.5 yards per return. His longest return covered 90 yards and resulted in a touchdown.
That single return was worth six points before the extra-point attempt. It also gave New England a scoring contribution that did not depend on Maye completing a pass or Stevenson gaining rushing yardage.
Gibson’s return production is particularly important when assessing total team performance. A kickoff return touchdown can produce points without requiring the offense to drive the length of the field.
His contribution also came alongside his offensive statistics. Gibson rushed five times for 27 yards and caught one pass for one yard, giving him several roles in the game beyond returning kickoffs.
Malik Washington’s 74-yard punt return touchdown
Miami’s Malik Washington returned one punt for 74 yards and a touchdown. The Dolphins recorded two punt returns for 93 yards, averaging 46.5 yards per return.
Washington’s return provided a major scoring play for Miami and helped the Dolphins remain competitive. A punt return touchdown can immediately change the scoreboard, even when the offense has not generated a conventional scoring drive.
Tyreek Hill added a second punt return for 19 yards. The team total of 93 punt-return yards included both players’ contributions.
The fact that Miami scored on a punt return is important when interpreting the team’s offensive totals. Not all 27 points came from conventional offensive production, and the return touchdown gave the Dolphins a direct route to the scoreboard.
Kick-return comparison
| Kick-return statistic | Patriots | Dolphins |
| Total returns | 6 | 6 |
| Total return yards | 171 | 128 |
| Average per return | 28.5 | 21.3 |
| Longest return | 90 yards | 27 yards |
| Return touchdowns | 1 | 0 |
New England gained 43 more kickoff-return yards than Miami and recorded the only kickoff-return touchdown.
The Dolphins had a solid return average of 21.3 yards, but their longest kickoff return was 27 yards. Gibson’s 90-yard touchdown was therefore a major difference in the special-teams comparison.
Why special teams mattered more than the yardage suggests
Special-teams scoring changes the relationship between offensive yardage and points. A team can gain fewer yards through passing and rushing yet still score more because it creates explosive returns, benefits from turnovers, or converts field goals.
That is exactly why a complete evaluation of this game needs to include more than quarterback and receiver statistics. New England’s kickoff return touchdown helped build its score, while Miami’s punt return touchdown gave the Dolphins an important scoring response.
Neither play should be treated as an ordinary offensive drive. Each changed the scoreboard through a separate phase of the game.
Kicking Statistics: Andy Borregales vs Riley Patterson
The kickers contributed through field goals and extra points, with each team recording two successful field goals.
| Kicking statistic | Andy Borregales, Patriots | Riley Patterson, Dolphins |
| Field goals made/attempted | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| Field-goal percentage | 100% | 100% |
| Longest field goal | 53 yards | 44 yards |
| Extra points made/attempted | 1/3 | 3/3 |
| Total points | 7 | 9 |
Andy Borregales provides seven points
Borregales made both field-goal attempts, including a longest successful kick of 53 yards. He also made one of three extra-point attempts and finished with seven points.
His field-goal accuracy was perfect on the two attempts recorded. However, the one successful extra point out of three attempts shows that the Patriots did not convert all their listed opportunities after touchdowns.
The difference between field-goal accuracy and extra-point success matters when assessing the scoring record. A kicker can be perfect on field goals and still have an uneven overall performance across all kicking attempts.
Riley Patterson converts all field goals and extra points
Patterson also made both field-goal attempts, with a long of 44 yards. He converted all three extra-point attempts and finished with nine points.
Miami therefore received two more kicking points from Patterson than New England received from Borregales. Despite that advantage, the Dolphins lost by six.
This reinforces the importance of evaluating kicking alongside the rest of the game. Patterson’s perfect field-goal and extra-point figures were positive contributions, but they could not overcome the Patriots’ overall scoring advantage.
Punting Statistics and Field Position
Punting is less visible than touchdowns or interceptions, but it can influence field position and the difficulty of an opponent’s next possession.
| Punting statistic | Bryce Baringer, Patriots | Jake Bailey, Dolphins |
| Punts | 2 | 2 |
| Total punt yards | 136 | 88 |
| Average punt distance | 68.0 yards | 44.0 yards |
| Longest punt | 71 yards | 48 yards |
| Touchbacks | 0 | 0 |
| Punts inside the 20 | 0 | 1 |
Bryce Baringer averaged 68.0 yards per punt, compared with Jake Bailey’s 44.0-yard average. Baringer recorded a longest punt of 71 yards, while Bailey’s longest was 48 yards.
Bailey placed one punt inside the 20-yard line, while Baringer did not record a punt inside that area in the supplied statistics. A punt inside the 20 can help place the receiving offense farther from the end zone, but the location and eventual outcome of the possession also matter.
The punt totals should not be interpreted as proof that New England controlled every field-position situation. Both teams punted twice, and Miami generated a 74-yard punt return touchdown. The return result shows why punting distance alone is insufficient for evaluating special-teams performance.
Team Statistics Comparison: Why New England Won
The main team-level differences become clearer when the passing, rushing, defensive, and special-teams figures are viewed together.
| Category | Patriots | Dolphins | Advantage |
| Passing yards | 230 | 315 | Dolphins |
| Passing touchdowns | 2 | 2 | Even |
| Interceptions thrown | 0 | 1 | Patriots |
| Rushing yards | 122 | 61 | Patriots |
| Rushing touchdowns | 1 | 0 | Patriots |
| Receiving yards | 230 | 315 | Dolphins |
| Total tackles | 61 | 66 | Dolphins |
| Sacks | 5 | 3 | Patriots |
| Tackles for loss | 6 | 4 | Patriots |
| Defensive interceptions | 1 | 0 | Patriots |
| Kick-return yards | 171 | 128 | Patriots |
| Kick-return touchdowns | 1 | 0 | Patriots |
| Punt-return touchdowns | 0 | 1 | Dolphins |
| Final score | 33 | 27 | Patriots |
1. New England balanced passing and rushing
The Patriots passed for 230 yards and rushed for 122. That combination gave the offense 352 yards across the two categories.
Miami’s passing and rushing totals added up to 376 yards. The Dolphins therefore produced 24 more combined passing and rushing yards, but they scored six fewer points.
This is a useful reminder that raw yardage measures how far the ball travels through those offensive categories, not how efficiently every possession is converted into points.
2. Turnovers favored New England
Maye did not throw an interception, while Tagovailoa threw one. New England’s defense also recorded an interception.
The supplied data do not include every possession-level detail required to calculate a complete turnover margin across all possible fumble outcomes. However, the listed interception figures show a clear advantage for New England in this category.
Turnovers can be especially damaging when an offense is moving the ball effectively. A long passing game may generate substantial yardage, but losing possession can prevent that production from translating into additional points.
3. The Patriots generated more defensive pressure
New England recorded five sacks, compared with Miami’s three. The Patriots also recorded six tackles for loss and five quarterback hits, exceeding the Dolphins’ totals of four and three.
These numbers suggest that New England was more productive in the listed pressure statistics. They do not establish that every sack occurred at a decisive moment, but they help explain how the Patriots could disrupt a passing offense that otherwise accumulated substantial yardage.
4. Special teams added a major scoring difference
Gibson’s kickoff return touchdown gave New England a scoring opportunity without requiring an offensive drive. Miami answered with Washington’s punt return touchdown, but the Patriots’ return production also included 43 more kickoff-return yards.
Special teams did not determine every aspect of the result, but the two return touchdowns were among the most distinctive events in the game.
5. Scoring efficiency mattered more than passing volume
Miami gained 85 more passing yards than New England and completed more passes. Yet both teams recorded two passing touchdowns, and New England added a rushing touchdown and a kickoff-return touchdown.
That combination is the most useful explanation of the final score. Miami was productive through the air, but New England found additional ways to score and avoided an interception from its starting quarterback.
The result demonstrates why NFL statistics are most useful when interpreted together. A team can lead in passing yards, catches, and total tackles without leading in the final score.
How to Read NFL Match Player Statistics Correctly
For readers who want to understand the deeper meaning of a box score, this game offers several useful lessons.
Passing yards do not tell the entire story
Passing yards measure the distance gained through completed passing plays, but they do not fully explain the quality of a quarterback’s performance. Interceptions, sacks, touchdown passes, and rushing contributions provide additional context.
Tagovailoa’s 315 passing yards were higher than Maye’s 230, but Maye’s zero interceptions and stronger passer rating reflected a more efficient statistical performance in this matchup.
Separate offensive production from return scoring
A kickoff return touchdown and a punt return touchdown contribute to the final team score, but they do not count as passing or rushing touchdowns by the offense.
This distinction is important when evaluating the Dolphins and Patriots. New England received a touchdown from Gibson’s kickoff return, while Miami scored through Washington’s punt return. Those plays helped determine the outcome without appearing in the quarterbacks’ passing-touchdown totals.
Use multiple statistics to evaluate a player
A running back who gains modest rushing yardage may still contribute substantially as a receiver. Achane is a clear example, with 30 rushing yards and 92 receiving yards.
Similarly, a defender’s tackle total should be considered alongside sacks, tackles for loss, quarterback hits, and interceptions. Williams’s two sacks provide information that his three total tackles alone would not communicate.
Check the original box score when details matter
For verified game figures and additional play-by-play context, consult the ESPN box score for this matchup. It is the appropriate starting point for checking the recorded player statistics and the game’s scoring summary.
A box score can answer questions about recorded totals, but it does not necessarily explain the coaching decisions, coverage assignments, or exact tactical reasons behind each play. Those questions require further evidence from play-by-play records or game film.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who won the Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots game on September 14, 2025?
The New England Patriots defeated the Miami Dolphins 33-27 on September 14, 2025. New England built an early lead and benefited from a defensive interception and Antonio Gibson’s 90-yard kickoff return touchdown.
2. How many passing yards did Drake Maye and Tua Tagovailoa record?
Drake Maye passed for 230 yards, completing 19 of 23 attempts with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Tua Tagovailoa passed for 315 yards, completing 26 of 32 attempts with two touchdowns and one interception.
3. Who was the leading receiver in the game?
Tyreek Hill led all listed players in receiving yards with 109 on six receptions. New England’s Rhamondre Stevenson led the Patriots with 88 receiving yards on five catches.
4. How many rushing yards did each team record?
The Patriots gained 122 rushing yards on 29 attempts and scored one rushing touchdown. The Dolphins gained 61 rushing yards on 15 attempts and did not record a rushing touchdown.
5. Which players scored on special teams?
Antonio Gibson scored on a 90-yard kickoff return for New England, while Malik Washington scored on a 74-yard punt return for Miami. Both plays contributed directly to their teams’ final scores.
6. Why did the Patriots win despite having fewer passing yards?
New England won because its scoring contributions came from several phases of the game. The Patriots recorded a rushing touchdown, avoided a passing interception, generated five sacks, recorded a defensive interception, and scored on a kickoff return. Miami gained more passing yards but finished six points behind.
Conclusion
The Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots produced a competitive 33-27 contest on September 14, 2025, with the Patriots emerging victorious despite finishing with fewer passing yards. Drake Maye delivered an efficient performance with 230 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and no interceptions, while Tua Tagovailoa threw for 315 yards and two touchdowns but also recorded an interception.
Rhamondre Stevenson was a major contributor for New England, combining 54 rushing yards with 88 receiving yards. For Miami, Tyreek Hill led the receiving group with 109 yards, while De’Von Achane contributed 92 receiving yards and a touchdown despite a relatively quiet rushing performance.
The defensive and special-teams statistics provide further context. New England recorded five sacks and a defensive interception, while Antonio Gibson’s 90-yard kickoff return touchdown helped the Patriots build their score. Miami responded with Malik Washington’s 74-yard punt return touchdown, but the Dolphins could not close the final six-point gap.
Ultimately, the game illustrates why player statistics should be evaluated as a complete picture rather than a collection of isolated totals. Passing yardage, rushing efficiency, defensive pressure, turnovers, and special-teams scoring all contributed to the outcome. New England’s ability to turn different types of plays into points proved decisive, while Miami’s passing production was not enough to secure the win.
