FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The Miami Dolphins faced off against the New England Patriots in an AFC East matchup at Gillette Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. made his debut with the Dolphins, joining former Ravens teammate Tyler Huntley who started at quarterback. The Dolphins entered the game as 1.5-point favorites against the struggling Patriots, aiming to secure their first victory of the season without Tua Tagovailoa.
The game proved to be challenging, marred by numerous penalties and turnovers, but the Dolphins ultimately triumphed, defeating the Patriots 15-10. Miami now holds a record of 2-3, while New England falls to 1-4.
Huntley orchestrated an 80-yard drive late in the fourth quarter, culminating in a 3-yard touchdown run by Alec Ingold that put Miami in the lead. In the final minute, New England was unable to score despite reaching Miami’s red zone, and after regaining possession in the closing seconds, they once again failed to convert.
Here are the evaluations from the Dolphins’ performance:
Quarterback: Tyler Huntley had a rough start, throwing an interception on a first-quarter pass aimed at Beckham, and struggling with a fumble due to a mishap on a snap. He nearly threw another interception but did lead the crucial touchdown drive late in the game. Grade: C-
Running Backs: Raheem Mostert returned to action after a chest injury, while De’Von Achane left with a concussion early in the game. Jaylen Wright provided a notable play with a 17-yard gain. Miami’s rushing game surpassed 100 yards, and Ingold scored a touchdown. Grade: B
Receivers: Beckham was heavily involved early on but struggled to make an impact. Huntley connected with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, but Waddle dropped a catch that could have been significant. Grade: C-
Tight Ends: Jonnu Smith had a productive outing early, with two catches on Miami’s opening drive that led to the first points of the season. He continued to be targeted throughout the game, making key plays. Grade: C
Offensive Line: The line faced challenges, with right guard Liam Eichenberg allowing a sack and committing a holding penalty. Huntley was sacked three times in the first three quarters, while the rushing attack averaged 4.5 yards per carry. Grade: C-
Defensive Line: Zach Sieler was a standout, recording a sack and consistently applying pressure. However, Miami’s run defense was not as effective. Grade: C
Linebackers/Edge Rushers: Tyus Bowser and Emmanuel Ogbah teamed up for a half-sack. Rookie Chop Robinson also made his presence felt with a hit on the quarterback. Grade: C
Defensive Backs: The secondary had a mixed performance, with key missed tackles leading to a touchdown for New England. Kader Kohou showcased solid coverage, but the group struggled overall. Grade: C+
Special Teams: Jason Sanders hit a 54-yard field goal but faltered afterwards, missing another attempt and witnessing a blocked punt. The unit faced significant issues throughout the game. Grade: F
Coaching: The Dolphins appeared disorganized, with persistent illegal shift penalties and an underwhelming offensive output. Despite some strengths in defense, the overall performance was disappointing. Grade: D