The energy at Gillette Stadium on January 4, 2026, felt like something out of the early 2000s. It wasn't just the freezing temperatures or the lighthouse glowing in the Foxborough mist; it was the sheer dominance on display. When the final whistle blew, the New England Patriots Dolphins score sat at a lopsided 38-10.
Honestly, if you only saw the halftime score of 17-10, you might’ve thought we were in for a classic AFC East dogfight. But the second half? Total demolition. Mike Vrabel’s squad essentially used the final two quarters to send a message to the rest of the AFC: the rebuild is over.
The Rhamondre Stevenson Show
Most people looking at the New England Patriots Dolphins score will see a blowout, but the real story is how Rhamondre Stevenson basically carried the entire Miami defense on his back for 60 minutes. He finished the night with 131 rushing yards and three total touchdowns. It wasn't just the stats, though. It was the way he did it.
Early in the first quarter, Stevenson ripped off a 56-yard run that felt like a punch to the gut for Miami. A couple of plays later, rookie TreVeyon Henderson punched it in for the game's first score. But New England got cute too. Remember the Wildcat? The Patriots actually ran a direct snap to Stevenson for a touchdown in the first quarter—a poetic little "thank you" to the Dolphins for introducing that formation to the rivalry nearly two decades ago.
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Drake Maye and the Sophomore Surge
While Stevenson was the hammer, Drake Maye was the surgical scalpel. Maye didn't need to throw for 400 yards to be effective. He was efficient, going 14-of-18 for 191 yards. He looks like a completely different player than the kid we saw a year ago. He’s poised. He doesn’t panic when the pocket collapses.
One of the biggest highlights for the home crowd was seeing Stefon Diggs cross the 1,000-yard mark for the seventh time in his career. It’s been a long time since a New England receiver had that kind of season—Julian Edelman back in 2019 was the last one, believe it or not.
Why the Miami Dolphins Collapsed
Look, you’ve got to feel a little bad for Quinn Ewers. Making your third NFL start in Foxborough in January is a nightmare scenario. With Tua Tagovailoa on the bench and the offense missing Jaylen Waddle and De'Von Achane, the Dolphins were playing with one hand tied behind their back.
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- Injuries: No Waddle, no Achane, and no Darren Waller. That’s a lot of firepower sitting in sweats.
- The Interception: Early in the third quarter, Miami had a chance to tie or get within one score. Instead, Jaylinn Hawkins picked off Ewers in the end zone. That was the turning point.
- Defensive Gaps: Missing Minkah Fitzpatrick in the secondary was glaring. Maye had windows all night that shouldn't have been there.
The Dolphins actually kept it close for a while. Malik Washington caught a 2-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, and Riley Patterson nailed a 52-yard field goal to keep them within striking distance at the half. Then, Andy Borregales stepped up for New England. He hammered home a 59-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter. That kick tied the third-longest in franchise history. It also seemed to break Miami's spirit.
What This Score Means for the Playoffs
This win wasn't just about beating a rival. It locked New England into the AFC’s second seed with a 14-3 record. Think about that for a second. Last year, this team was 4-13. A 10-game turnaround ties the NFL record for the biggest single-season improvement, matching the 1999 Colts and the 2008 Dolphins.
The Patriots are now set to host the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card round. Given how they’re running the ball right now, Foxborough is going to be a very difficult place for anyone to win.
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Key Stats From the Game
The yardage tells a grim story for Miami. New England racked up 243 yards on the ground. When you can’t stop the run, you can’t win in January. The Patriots defense also held Miami to just 180 total yards. Jack Gibbens forced a fumble, Elijah Ponder recovered it, and the secondary stayed tight even when the game was out of reach.
For Miami, the 7-10 finish means a long offseason and the 11th overall pick in the draft. Mike McDaniel has some serious questions to answer, especially regarding the quarterback situation and the team's durability.
Actionable Takeaways for the Postseason
If you're betting on or following the Patriots into the playoffs, keep these factors in mind:
- Monitor the Ground Game: The Stevenson-Henderson duo is the identity of this team. If they get 40+ carries combined, New England likely wins.
- Watch the Health of the Secondary: Jaylinn Hawkins has been a ball hawk lately, but they’ll need that consistency against elite AFC quarterbacks.
- The Home Field Advantage: New England is undefeated on the road this year, but their dominance at Gillette is what makes them a Super Bowl favorite.
The road to the Super Bowl through the AFC is likely going to go through Denver or Foxborough. Based on the New England Patriots Dolphins score we just witnessed, the Patriots are officially the team nobody wants to see on their schedule right now.
To stay updated on the playoff bracket, check the official NFL standings and keep an eye on the injury report for the upcoming Wild Card matchup against the Chargers. Now is the time to look at the defensive matchups, specifically how the New England front seven matches up against the Chargers' pass protection.