FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — In a thrilling display of rookie brilliance, Drake Maye unleashed an electrifying three-touchdown performance that propelled the New England Patriots to a stunning 33-27 upset victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. The win marked a historic milestone, securing Mike Vrabel’s first triumph as the head coach of the Patriots and igniting hopes for a turnaround season in New England.
Maye, the highly touted quarterback selected third overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, dazzled the Gillette Stadium crowd with his dual-threat prowess. Completing 19 of 23 passes for 230 yards, he connected on an 8-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Mack Hollins in the first quarter and followed it up with a precise 16-yard scoring pass to Kayshon Boutte later in the game. But it was Maye’s legs that truly electrified the afternoon; he scampered in for a rushing touchdown, capping off his explosive outing and accounting for all three of New England’s offensive scores through the air and on the ground.
“This kid is special,” Vrabel said post-game, beaming with pride in his first victory at the helm of the Patriots. “Drake stepped up big time today. His poise under pressure and ability to make plays with his arm and his feet—that’s what we needed to get this win.”
The Patriots’ defense, under Vrabel’s aggressive scheme, played a pivotal role in the upset. After Miami’s Malik Washington ignited a late comeback with a 74-yard punt return touchdown that gave the Dolphins a brief 27-23 lead midway through the fourth quarter, New England responded with fury. Running back Antonio Gibson electrified the home fans by returning the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown, swinging the momentum back in favor of the Pats.
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Cornerback Marte Mapu sealed the defensive effort with a crucial interception of Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on Miami’s next possession, setting up kicker Andy Borregales for a clutch 53-yard field goal that extended the lead to 33-27. On Miami’s final drive, facing fourth-and-12, Tagovailoa was sacked, effectively ending the Dolphins’ hopes and handing Vrabel his inaugural win.
For the Dolphins, it was a frustrating afternoon that dropped them to 0-2 under coach Mike McDaniel. Tagovailoa showed flashes of his elite talent, completing 26 of 32 passes for 315 yards and tossing two touchdowns—an 18-yard score to Jaylen Waddle and a 29-yard strike to running back De’Von Achane. Star wide receiver Tyreek Hill contributed six receptions for 109 yards, including a highlight-reel 47-yard catch in the third quarter—his first grab of over 30 yards since the 2024 season opener.
Despite the offensive fireworks, Miami’s defense struggled mightily, punting on their opening possession and allowing the Patriots to build a 12-0 lead in the first quarter. This extended a defensive woes streak to 10 consecutive possessions without a stop from their previous week’s performance, highlighting areas McDaniel’s squad must address urgently.
Maye’s explosion not only provided the spark for the upset but also signaled a bright future for the Patriots under Vrabel’s leadership. As New England looks to build on this momentum, the Dolphins will regroup, knowing they let a winnable game slip away in a hard-fought battle.
Scoring Summary:
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Patriots 33, Dolphins 27
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Q1: NE – Maye 8-yard pass to Hollins (XP missed)
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Q1: NE – Maye rushing TD (XP missed)
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Q4: MIA – Washington 74-yard punt return TD (XP good)
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Q4: NE – Gibson 90-yard kickoff return TD (XP good)
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Q4: NE – Borregales 53-yard FG
With this victory, the Patriots improve to 1-1, while the Dolphins stare down a challenging road ahead at 0-2.