With a 33-27 win in Miami, the New England Patriots have improved to 1-1 in 2025 with Mike Vrabel’s first win as the team’s head coach. Despite facing a struggling Miami Dolphins team, the Patriots faced adversity in a game that likely would’ve been a loss in recent years. With impact plays coming from all three phases of the ball, five lead changes, and momentum shifting late-game moments, New England found itself being tested in multiple instances on their road to victory.
Vrabel’s team opened the second game of the season much better than in week one, totaling back-to-back touchdown drives and a forced three-and-out against the Dolphins’ offense. After a poor run-blocking performance in week one, the Patriots’ offensive line bounced back in a big way with multiple run-heavy scoring drives to start the game. Early-down physical runs opened up the play-action passing offense for Drake Maye, connecting with Mack Hollins and Kayshon Boutte for first-half touchdowns.
Unfortunately for New England, its hopes of a blowout victory were stalled as undisciplined tackling and poor coverage allowed for multiple explosive plays from the Dolphins’ receivers. With the Patriots’ top cornerback, Christian Gonzalez, sidelined with a hamstring injury, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle tested their depth throughout the course of the game. Despite leading 12-0 early in the contest, two missed extra points from rookie kicker Andy Borregales and touchdowns from Waddle and Devon Achane kept Miami within just a point at halftime.
The Dolphins carried this momentum into the second half, abusing Alex Austin and Robert Spillane in coverage to open the third quarter. While New England stalled multiple Miami drives and forced field goals, they found themselves trailing 20-15 as the third quarter came to a close. On a crucial third down, Maye avoided a sack from the Dolphins’ pass rush and found Rhamondre Stevenson on a wheel route for a 56-yard gain downfield. This conversion shifted the momentum back in the Patriots’ favor, as they eventually found the end zone on a scramble from Maye. Stevenson followed this score with a run up the middle for the two-point conversion.
With empty drives from both teams following the start of the fourth quarter, Dolphins run returner Malik Washington broke a sure tackle from New England’s special teams unit, reversing field for a backbreaking punt-return touchdown. Moments later, backup running back Antonio Gibson tiptoed the sideline and broke free for a kick-return touchdown, immediately responding to the Miami score. This wild exchange left the Patriots with a three-point lead halfway through the final quarter, putting them in position to end the game with a potential stop.
On a fourth down in the middle of the field with just a few minutes remaining, Marte Mapu intercepted Tua Tagovailoa on an errant throw. With just two Dolphins timeouts left, a first down would effectively end the game for New England, but they would likely have to throw the ball to convert it. On second down, Maye fired a play-action crosser to Hollins for an incompletion, stopping the clock and forcing Vrabel to try a 53-yard field goal with his struggling rookie kicker. Fortunately, Borregales was able to convert, making it a 6-point game with a minute remaining.
Early in the drive, Mapu attempted to tackle Achane in bounds to force a Dolphins timeout, but the play nearly backfired as Achane danced around Mapu, seemingly breaking off a long touchdown to put Miami ahead. Luckily, the play was reviewed, and it was deemed that he stepped out of bounds in Patriots’ territory. Multiple incompletions from Tua put the Dolphins in a fourth-and-long situation with the game on the line. On the final play of the game, Milton Williams won his matchup and sacked Tagovailoa to win the game for New England.
While the Patriots certainly didn’t play a clean game against the Dolphins, it was encouraging to see them close out a game for the first time in a while. There are many plays that the team would like to have back, but when they needed a score or a stop, they found a way to get one down the stretch of the game. One of the more obvious takeaways from this performance was the importance of Christian Gonzalez and his recovery going forward. As confident as New England is in its cornerback depth, its ability to slow down top-end talent is solely dependent on Gonzalez.
Despite many questions and concerns about the Patriots’ offensive line, many were quieted following the performances of rookie starters Will Campbell and Jared Wilson. They allowed zero total pressures and zero sacks in their second career starts. While Wilson projects to be the long-term answer at the center position for New England, it’s important that he and Campbell can hold down Maye’s blind side with the offensive line’s current construction.
Perhaps the most eye-opening and surprising note from Sunday’s victory was the resurgence of Stevenson as the team’s lead back. With the emergence of TreVeon Henderson, his role seemed to be gradually diminishing before his outstanding performance against Miami. Stevenson totaled 142 scrimmage yards with timely catches and explosive plays in big moments. His explosiveness from 2023 was evident in his conviction in each run as well as his ability to gain additional yardage in various instances. Stevenson’s effectiveness for the remainder of the season will be a key factor in the potential success of Josh McDaniels’ unit.
Despite making many mistakes throughout the contest, the Patriots’ first win of 2025 was impressive, considering the adversity they faced in many moments. While there will be a lot to clean up going forward, there was also a lot to like in week two of New England football.
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