PATRIOTS VS. DOLPHINS RECAP: New England secures the AFC’s 2nd seed with a 38–10 blowout win over Miami. Rhamondre Stevenson scores 3 TDs as the Pats finish 14–3. See the full playoff bracket and Wild Card matchup against the Chargers.
The New England Patriots closed out their 2025 regular season with a dominant performance at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 4, dismantling the Miami Dolphins 38–10. The victory caps a historic “worst-to-first” turnaround for Head Coach Mike Vrabel, finishing the season with a stellar 14–3 record and the AFC East title.
While the Denver Broncos’ victory over the Chargers earlier in the day denied New England the No. 1 seed, the Patriots secured the AFC’s No. 2 seed and will host a playoff game in Foxborough for the first time in three seasons.
The Stevenson Show: Rhamondre Dominates
The story of the game was running back Rhamondre Stevenson, who delivered a masterclass in power running. Stevenson finished the day with a season-high 131 rushing yards and three total touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving).
- The Milestone: During the game, Stevenson passed Kevin Faulk to move into 5th place on the Patriots’ all-time rushing yards list.
- Early Momentum: On the second play of the game, Stevenson ripped off a 56-yard run that set the tone for the afternoon, leading to a quick 7–0 lead that the Dolphins never threatened.
Drake Maye: Efficient and Playoff-Ready
MVP contender Drake Maye played with the composure of a veteran, completing 14 of 18 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown before being rested in the fourth quarter.
The rookie backfield also continued to shine, with TreVeyon Henderson adding two rushing touchdowns. Henderson’s scores brought his season total to 10, tying him with Rob Gronkowski for the third-most touchdowns by a rookie in Patriots history.
AFC Playoff Picture: The Road to the Super Bowl
With the regular season officially in the books, the AFC playoff field is set. The Patriots will face a familiar foe in the Wild Card round: the Los Angeles Chargers.
| Seed | Team | Record | Wild Card Matchup |
| 1 | Denver Broncos | 14–3 | First-Round Bye |
| 2 | New England Patriots | 14–3 | vs. (7) L.A. Chargers |
| 3 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 12–5 | vs. (6) Buffalo Bills |
| 4 | Houston Texans | 11–6 | vs. (5) Baltimore Ravens |
Coach’s Corner: Mike Vrabel’s Transformation
“We’ve come a long way from where we were last year,” Drake Maye said post-game, referencing the team’s 4–13 finish in 2024. Head Coach Mike Vrabel echoed that sentiment, praising his defense for forcing two key takeaways—a fumble recovery by Elijah Ponder and a Jaylinn Hawkins interception—that effectively ended Miami’s season.
The Dolphins (7–10) head into a turbulent offseason under Mike McDaniel, while the Patriots prepare for what many analysts believe could be a deep Super Bowl run.
