Who stood out and struggled against Miami

Mike Vrabel’s first win as Patriots head coach got here on a weird Sunday in Miami that featured back-to-back particular groups touchdowns, a late surge by the Patriots’ pass-rush, and flashes of potential from Drake Maye.

The Patriots prevailed 33-27, stealing a divisional win on the highway in opposition to the Dolphins.

Marte Mapu snagged an interception. Rhamondre Stevenson had a really productive day. Andy Borregales discovered redemption after lacking a pair of additional factors.

Right here’s who stood out and struggled in the course of the Patriots’ victory.

Top off

QB Drake Maye

Maye seemed far more snug this week than final week. The jitteriness and excessive throws had been gone. He received his share of layups early and used his working capability to go with his strong decision-making on throws.

He scooted away from ex-Patriot Matthew Judon for a landing run. He hit Kayshon Boutte for a 16-yard landing move, and likewise received Mack Hollins concerned for his first Patriots landing.

Maye unfold the ball round effectively and successfully, ending the sport 19-of-23 for 230 passing yards, all with out a turnover.

DT Milton Williams

Williams clinched the win, sacking Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on 4th-and-12 with lower than a minute to go.

The Patriots went with a four-man rush, and Williams received residence, bursting proper up the center for a sack.

It was his second sack of the sport, and it got here when the Patriots wanted it most. New England’s $104 million man delivered with a divisional recreation on the road.

RB Rhamondre Stevenson

Stevenson led the group in dashing yards and receiving yards.

He ran with energy and aggression, serving to the Patriots set up the run early which led to a extra balanced offensive assault.

He additionally hauled in a 56-yard catch from Maye, marking probably the most explosive play of the day from the Patriots’ offense.

RB Antonio Gibson

Gibson confirmed off his pace throughout what was, maybe, the wildest sequence of the sport.

The very subsequent play after Miami’s Malik Washington run a 74-yard punt return again for a landing, Gibson took off for a 90-yard kick return landing of his personal.

Gibson has been impactful within the return recreation, and he received extra touches on offense this week too. He solely had one carry within the opener and confirmed at the moment what he can do with extra alternatives.

Inventory Flat

WR Kayshon Boutte

Boutte had a spectacular diving seize on the landing within the first quarter, however he was just about invisible for the remainder of the sport.

It was his solely goal on Sunday, and he made probably the most of it by placing factors on the board.

After a 103-yard efficiency in Week 1, extra was anticipated out of Boutte in Week 2. However, the landing seize was a difference-maker in a detailed recreation.

LB Ok’Lavon Chaisson

Chaisson had a sack, however he additionally received whistled for a few penalties.

It was the primary full sack of the yr for the previous first-round decide. It was, for probably the most half, a quiet day for the Patriots’ pass-rush till the top.

Each little bit of strain helps, and Chaisson received to the quarterback on an enormous play.

Ok Andy Borregales

Borregales received off to a tough begin at Onerous Rock Stadium, the place he performed his faculty video games at Miami. He missed two additional level makes an attempt within the first quarter, making what ought to have been a 14-0 Patriots lead a smaller 12-0 benefit as an alternative.

He nailed his solely field-goal try, however this marks the second week in a row he has missed a chip shot.

Nonetheless, Borregales will get credit score for nailing a 53-yard field-goal with 1:47 remaining that put the Patriots up by six.

Inventory Down

Brenden Schooler and Charles Woods

The Patriots simply can’t afford a number of missed tackles on particular groups, and Malik Washington broke three on the identical play.

Brenden Schooler, the Patriots’ particular groups ace, was the primary to succeed in Washington. He lunged ahead, however the returner was in a position to bounce off and spin away. The angle that Woods took in his pursuit of Washington left an entire lot of inexperienced house open. Woods dove at Washington’s legs however couldn’t wrap him up and Washington was off to the races.

Gibson’s return erased the deficit that Washington’s landing precipitated, however these missed tackles nearly led to catastrophe for New England.

CB Alex Austin

Christian Gonzalez’s absence was noticeable on Sunday. Tagovailoa had his share of errors, however for probably the most half, he carved up the Patriots’ protection.

Austin was in protection on Miami’s first landing, an 18-yarder the place Jaylen Waddle appeared to have a few steps on him. Tyreek Hill snagged a 47-yarder with Austin within the neighborhood.

DT Christian Barmore

Barmore had only one sort out, which occurred to be a sort out for loss. It was a quiet day by his requirements.

Tagovailoa had time to throw, finishing 26 of his 32 passing makes an attempt for 315 yards and a pair of touchdowns in opposition to one interception.

The protection did a superb job bottling up the run, and Barmore was part of that. However his title wasn’t referred to as a lot at the moment and that’s typically not a superb factor for a participant of his caliber.

Khari A. Thompson

Sports activities Reporter

Khari Thompson covers skilled sports activities for Boston.com. Earlier than becoming a member of the group in 2022, Khari lined faculty soccer for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.