The New England Patriots ended their 2025 NFL season on a high note by beating the Miami Dolphins 38-10 on January 4, 2026, at Gillette Stadium. It was a complete team performance. The offense ran the ball well, the defense was tough all day, and the Dolphins had no real answer. Let’s break down how it all happened.
Game Overview
From the first quarter, it was clear this was not going to be a close game. The Patriots came out with energy and purpose. They scored 14 points in the first quarter alone and never looked back. By halftime, New England led 17-10, but the second half told the real story. The Patriots outscored Miami 21-0 in the final two quarters.
Final Score: New England Patriots 38 – Miami Dolphins 10
| Quarter | Patriots | Dolphins |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 14 | 0 |
| Q2 | 3 | 10 |
| Q3 | 14 | 0 |
| Q4 | 7 | 0 |
| Total | 38 | 10 |
Patriots Offense: Running Game Takes Over
The biggest story for New England was the running game. The Patriots rushed for 243 yards on 34 carries. That is an average of 7.1 yards per carry, which is a very strong number. They scored 4 rushing touchdowns, which shows how well they controlled the line of scrimmage.
Rhamondre Stevenson had a standout game. He had a 35-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that really put the game away. He also caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Drake Maye earlier in that same quarter. It was one of those performances where a single player changes the whole mood of the game.
Ty Henderson also had a good day, scoring two rushing touchdowns. One came in the first quarter and one in the fourth.
On the passing side, Drake Maye was calm and accurate. He completed 17 of 22 passes for 214 yards with 1 touchdown and 0 interceptions. His completion rate was 77.3%, and his passer rating was 122.2. That is a great number for any quarterback. He was not flashy, but he made good decisions all game.
Key Offensive Stats – Patriots:
- Total Yards: 457
- Rushing Yards: 243 (avg. 7.1 per carry)
- Passing Yards: 214
- Touchdowns: 5 (4 rush, 1 pass)
- Turnovers: 0
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Patriots Defense: Complete Shutdown
The Patriots defense was excellent. They made Miami’s offense look confused and slow. Here are the key numbers:
- 4 sacks for 20 yards lost
- 9 QB hits
- 10 tackles for loss
- 1 interception
- 2 forced fumbles
- 4 three-and-outs forced
Miami’s quarterback was under pressure most of the day. The Dolphins had only 180 total yards, which is a very low number for an NFL offense. New England’s defenders were fast to the ball and did not miss many tackles.
Dolphins Offense: Nothing Worked
Miami had a rough day. Their offense could not find any rhythm. The Dolphins were sacked 4 times for 20 yards lost, and their quarterback threw 1 interception while also losing a fumble.
Key Offensive Stats – Dolphins:
- Total Yards: 180
- Rushing Yards: 63 (avg. 2.5 per carry)
- Passing Yards: 137
- Touchdowns: 1
- Turnovers: 2
Miami’s only touchdown came in the second quarter. It was a short 2-yard catch by Malik Washington. Kicker Ryan Patterson also hit a 52-yard field goal to make it 14-10 at one point. After that, the Dolphins could not score again.
Their run game struggled badly. Only 63 yards on 25 carries means the offensive line was not winning its battles. With a passer rating of just 74.9 and 5 poor throws, the passing game was not much better.
Special Teams Notes
New England kicker Anders Borregales made a big 59-yard field goal in the second quarter. That kind of long kick shows real confidence and skill. Miami’s Ryan Patterson made his 52-yard attempt as well, so both kickers had solid moments.
The Patriots punter averaged 51.7 yards per punt and placed all 3 punts inside the 20-yard line. That was great field position work that helped the defense.
What This Game Means
For the Patriots, this was a great way to close out the season. Young quarterback Drake Maye showed maturity, and the running game was dominant. The defense looked fast and smart. New England fans have reasons to feel hopeful heading into the off-season.
For Miami, this game was disappointing. The Dolphins went into the game needing a strong finish but got outplayed in every part of the game. Their offense needs to fix the issues with pass protection and consistency.
Both teams faced each other twice in the 2025 season. The Patriots won both meetings, 33-27 earlier in September and now 38-10 to close the year. New England clearly had the upper hand in this rivalry this season.
Final Thought
This was a one-sided but fun game to watch if you are a Patriots fan. The running game was impressive, Drake Maye played smart football, and the defense was everything you would want. For Miami, there is work to do before next season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What was the final score of the Patriots vs Dolphins game on January 4, 2026?
The New England Patriots won 38-10 over the Miami Dolphins.
2. Who scored the most touchdowns for the Patriots?
Running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and Ty Henderson each scored twice. Stevenson also added a receiving touchdown.
3. How many yards did the Patriots rush for?
The Patriots rushed for 243 yards on 34 carries, averaging 7.1 yards per carry.
4. How did Drake Maye play in this game?
Drake Maye completed 17 of 22 passes for 214 yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions. His passer rating was 122.2.
5. Did the Dolphins score at all?
Yes. Miami scored 10 points. One touchdown was a 2-yard catch by Malik Washington, and there was one 52-yard field goal by Ryan Patterson.
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