Maye scores 3 times as Patriots erase 10-point deficit to beat Dolphins 24-19

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye faced a thin offensive roster on Sunday but delivered a multi-faceted performance that led his team to a 24-19 victory over the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.

The Patriots, now 5-3, entered the game without wide receiver A.J. Brown due to a knee and ankle injury, wide receiver Mack Hollins with a calf issue, and running back TreVeyon Henderson who was ill. Maye completed 16 of 20 passes for 199 yards. He also rushed for two touchdowns. The team trailed by 10 points at the halftime break but outscored Miami 21-0 in the second half before holding off a late rally.

Key moments shifted the momentum in the fourth quarter. DeMario Douglas caught a 48-yard pass and broke through the Dolphins secondary to put the Patriots ahead 17-13. Earlier in the game, Kyle Williams caught a 43-yard touchdown pass that officials initially ruled an incomplete pass. Patriots coach Mike Vrabel challenged the call. Replays confirmed Williams crossed the goal line before the ball came loose, changing the score and energizing the home crowd.

Maye added to the lead with a 2-yard running touchdown with 59 seconds left in the third quarter. This marked his fifth consecutive game with at least three total touchdowns. Rhamondre Stevenson carried the ball 19 times for 82 yards, providing a steady ground game while Maye managed the ball against the defense.

The Dolphins, who improved to 1-6, fought back late. Backup quarterback Malik Willis threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to rookie Kevin Coleman Jr. with two minutes remaining. Miami attempted a two-point conversion but failed. Rhamondre Stevenson recovered the onside kick, allowing the Patriots to run down the clock to secure the win. Willis completed 21 of 32 passes for 211 yards, throwing two touchdowns and one interception while suffering five sacks.

Miami coach Jeff Hafley noted that his team played its best half of the season in the first period but failed to maintain the lead. He pointed to missed opportunities to put the game away. The Dolphins will host the Detroit Lions next Sunday, while the Patriots will return home to face the Green Bay Packers.