The Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots match player stats from their Week 18 meeting provide a clear picture of how dramatically the two AFC East rivals finished the 2025 NFL regular season. On 4 January 2026, the Patriots produced a dominant 38–10 victory over the Dolphins at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. New England finished the regular season 14–3, while Miami ended at 7–10.
The final score tells only part of the story. New England controlled the game through an outstanding rushing attack, efficient quarterback play and strong red-zone execution. Miami, meanwhile, struggled to generate consistent offence and managed only 180 total yards. This detailed breakdown examines the key player statistics, major performances, team numbers and tactical factors that decided the contest.
Game Overview: Dolphins 10, Patriots 38
The Patriots established control almost immediately. They scored twice in the opening quarter and carried a 14–0 lead into the early stages of the game. Miami eventually answered with a touchdown from Malik Washington and a 52-yard field goal by Riley Patterson, but New England still led 17–10 at halftime.
The third quarter effectively settled the contest. The Patriots added two touchdowns, including another score involving Rhamondre Stevenson, to move ahead 31–10. TreVeyon Henderson added another rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to complete the 38-point performance.
New England finished with 457 total yards, compared with only 180 for Miami. The Patriots also produced 243 rushing yards at 7.1 yards per carry, while Miami managed just 63 rushing yards at 2.5 yards per attempt.
Quarterback Performance
Drake Maye Leads an Efficient Patriots Offence
Drake Maye delivered an efficient performance for New England. He completed 14 of 18 passes for 191 yards, threw one touchdown and did not commit an interception. His passer rating was an impressive 129.4.
Maye also contributed with his legs. He rushed five times for 41 yards, averaging 8.2 yards per carry. That added another dimension to a Patriots offence that consistently moved the football.
The Patriots did not need Maye to throw frequently because their running game was so effective. He was eventually replaced by Joshua Dobbs after New England had established a comfortable advantage. Dobbs completed three of four passes for 23 yards.
Quinn Ewers Faces a Difficult Assignment
Miami quarterback Quinn Ewers completed 16 of 23 passes for 137 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. He also lost 20 yards through four sacks.
Ewers helped Miami produce its only touchdown, finding Malik Washington for a two-yard score. However, the Dolphins struggled to maintain offensive rhythm, particularly after halftime.
Zach Wilson also appeared late in the contest and attempted two passes without completing either. As a team, Miami finished 16-of-25 passing with 117 net passing yards and one interception.
Rhamondre Stevenson Dominates the Ground Game
The standout performer in the Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots match player stats was undoubtedly Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson.
Stevenson carried the ball only seven times, yet he produced an extraordinary 131 rushing yards. His average of 18.7 yards per carry came from explosive runs, including a 56-yard gain. He scored two rushing touchdowns and added two receptions for 22 yards and another touchdown.
That gave Stevenson 153 total yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns.
His performance was particularly important because it demonstrated how efficiently New England attacked Miami’s defence. Rather than relying on a high volume of carries, Stevenson created enormous chunks of yardage whenever he received an opportunity.
His three-touchdown performance also earned him AFC Offensive Player of the Week recognition.
TreVeyon Henderson Provides a Strong Supporting Performance
Stevenson was not the only Patriots running back who made an impact. TreVeyon Henderson carried the ball 13 times for 53 yards and scored two touchdowns.
Henderson opened the scoring with a five-yard rushing touchdown and returned to the end zone in the fourth quarter with a two-yard score. His 53 yards complemented Stevenson’s explosive production and helped New England finish with four rushing touchdowns overall.
This balance was one of the main reasons Miami struggled to slow the Patriots down. The Dolphins could not focus exclusively on Stevenson because Henderson remained a reliable secondary threat.
Patriots Receiving Leaders
Although New England relied heavily on its running game, the passing attack remained efficient.
Hunter Henry led the Patriots with five receptions for 56 yards. He caught all five of his targets and provided Maye with a dependable option over the middle. Stefon Diggs added three catches for 43 yards, averaging 14.3 yards per reception. His three receptions came on three targets, giving him a perfect catch rate in the game.
Rhamondre Stevenson also contributed two receptions for 22 yards and a touchdown, while DeMario Douglas caught two passes for 29 yards. Efton Chism III added a 35-yard reception, giving the Patriots another explosive play through the air.
Miami Dolphins Player Performances
Miami’s offence struggled as a unit, but several players still made useful contributions.
Malik Washington scored the Dolphins’ only touchdown after catching a two-yard pass from Ewers. He also carried the ball twice for 22 yards, including a 14-yard run. His six receiving yards and 22 rushing yards showed that Miami tried to create opportunities for him in different ways. Jaylen Wright led Miami in rushing attempts, carrying the ball 13 times for 23 yards. Ollie Gordon II added nine carries for nine yards, while Ewers rushed once for nine yards.
The overall rushing numbers, however, reveal the larger problem. Miami averaged only 2.5 yards per rushing attempt, compared with New England’s 7.1. That difference made it extremely difficult for the Dolphins to stay ahead of the chains.
Team Statistics That Decided the Game
Several numbers explain the 28-point difference.
| Statistic | Miami Dolphins | New England Patriots |
|---|---|---|
| Total yards | 180 | 457 |
| First downs | 13 | 22 |
| Rushing yards | 63 | 243 |
| Passing yards | 117 | 214 |
| Plays | 54 | 56 |
| Yards per play | 3.3 | 8.2 |
| Third-down conversion | 5/13 | 5/10 |
| Red-zone efficiency | 1/3 | 4/5 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 29:11 | 30:49 |
These statistics show that the Patriots won in virtually every major offensive category. New England generated more than 2.5 times as many total yards as Miami and averaged 8.2 yards per offensive play. The red-zone difference was also significant. The Patriots scored touchdowns on four of five red-zone opportunities, while Miami converted only one of three.
Defensive and Turnover Impact
The Patriots defence did not need to produce a huge number of turnovers because the offence consistently created favourable situations. Still, New England forced two key takeaways. Jaylinn Hawkins intercepted Ewers, while another Miami fumble also contributed to the Patriots’ control of the game. Miami finished with two turnovers, including one lost fumble and one interception. New England committed none.
The Patriots also held Miami to only 180 total yards. Four sacks contributed to the Dolphins’ 20 yards lost on passing plays, further limiting their ability to sustain drives.
Why the Patriots Won
The biggest reason was their ability to run the football efficiently. New England gained 243 rushing yards, compared with Miami’s 63. That 180-yard difference on the ground allowed the Patriots to control field position, keep their offence on schedule and reduce pressure on Maye.
The second factor was efficiency in passing. Maye completed 77.8% of his attempts and averaged 10.6 yards per attempt on his 18 throws. Meanwhile, Miami’s passing attack produced only 5.5 gross yards per attempt as a team. Finally, New England converted opportunities into touchdowns. Five total touchdowns compared with Miami’s one meant that the Patriots consistently finished drives.
The Bigger 2025 Season Context
The result was more significant than a single Week 18 victory. It completed a remarkable turnaround for New England. The Patriots finished 14–3, improving from 4–13 the previous season. That 10-game improvement tied the NFL record for the largest year-to-year turnaround. New England also completed a season sweep of Miami after beating the Dolphins 33–27 in the first meeting on 14 September 2025.
The victory also gave New England its sixth season with at least 14 wins. Drake Maye finished the regular season with a team-record 72.0 completion percentage, while Stefon Diggs reached 1,000 receiving yards for the seventh time in his career. For Miami, the defeat ended a 7–10 season and highlighted the team’s offensive difficulties. The Dolphins managed only 20.4 points per game and ranked near the bottom of the league in passing production during the season.
Looking Ahead to the Next Dolphins vs Patriots Matchup
The rivalry will continue in 2026. The NFL schedule lists the Patriots at Dolphins matchup for 1 November 2026 at 4:25 p.m. ET, while the teams are also scheduled to meet again in Week 18, although the exact date and time remain to be determined.
Because those games had not yet been played as of 20 August 2026, there are no legitimate player statistics to report for those future meetings. Therefore, the January 2026 game remains the appropriate completed matchup for a player-statistics analysis.
Interesting Facts From the Game
- New England scored 38 points while Miami managed 10.
- The Patriots produced 243 rushing yards.
- Rhamondre Stevenson recorded 131 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
- Stevenson generated 153 total yards from scrimmage.
- Drake Maye threw for 191 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.
- Hunter Henry caught five passes for 56 yards.
- Stefon Diggs recorded three catches for 43 yards.
- Miami managed only 180 total yards.
- The Patriots went 4-for-5 in the red zone.
- New England completed the regular season at 14–3.
Legacy and Significance of the Match
The January 2026 meeting stands out because it captured the contrasting directions of the two AFC East teams. For New England, the performance reinforced the success of a season that transformed the Patriots from a 4–13 team into a 14-win contender. The combination of Maye’s efficiency, a powerful rushing attack, and reliable receiving options gave the Patriots a balanced offensive identity.
For Miami, the game exposed several areas that required improvement. Producing only 63 rushing yards and 117 net passing yards made it almost impossible to compete with an opponent that generated 457 total yards. Most importantly, the game demonstrated why individual statistics should always be considered alongside team performance. Stevenson’s 131 rushing yards were remarkable, but they mattered because his explosive runs helped New England sustain drives, score touchdowns, and control the game.
Conclusion
The Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots match player stats from 4 January 2026 tell the story of a one-sided Patriots victory. New England dominated the ground game, protected the football and converted its scoring opportunities, while Miami struggled to generate consistent offence. Rhamondre Stevenson was the clear individual star with 131 rushing yards, 22 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Drake Maye also played an efficient game, throwing for 191 yards and a touchdown without an interception. Hunter Henry, Stefon Diggs and TreVeyon Henderson added valuable contributions.
The Patriots’ 38–10 victory therefore represented more than a convincing Week 18 result. It completed a 14–3 regular season, secured a series sweep over Miami and underlined how far New England had progressed during the 2025 campaign. For readers searching for detailed player statistics, the most important takeaway is simple: New England won the statistical battle almost everywhere, especially on the ground. That dominance ultimately translated into one of the clearest victories between these AFC East rivals in the 2025 season. For more information, visit our site daily.
