7 takeaways from Patriots’ win over Miami in regular-season finale

New England Patriots

The Patriots clinched the No. 2 seed in the AFC with Sunday’s win over the Dolphins.

FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots closed out their regular-season slate in impressive fashion on Sunday with a 38-10 victory over the Miami Dolphins.

With that victory over Miami, the Patriots (14-3) clinched the No. 2 seed in the AFC and became the third team in NFL history to improve by 10 wins from one season to the next. 

Here are seven takeaways from Sunday’s win in Foxborough:

Patriots clinch No. 2 seed, will play Chargers in first round of playoffs 

The Patriots took care of business on Sunday, beating a pedestrian Miami team, 38-10, to close out their impressive turnaround campaign with a 14-3 record.

By ending the year with three-straight victories, Sunday’s win locked New England into the No. 2 seed in the AFC — setting them up for a first-round playoff matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Jan. 11, at Gillette Stadium.

Kick-off from Foxborough is set for 8 p.m., with Sunday’s postseason matchup to be broadcast on NBC.

New England needed a win against Miami to at least remain as the No. 2 seed in the AFC, as a loss would have bumped the Patriots to the No. 3 seed after the Jaguars beat the Titans earlier on Sunday afternoon. 

New England had a chance to leapfrog the Broncos and secure the No. 1 seed (and a first-round bye) after beating Miami.

But the Patriots also needed the Broncos to lose to the Chargers on Sunday to make that happen, with Los Angeles opting to rest QB Justin Herbert and instead losing that game in Denver.

A bye would be a welcome sight for New England going into the postseason, but the Patriots at least hold home-field advantage up to at least the AFC Championship Game.

Maye caps off MVP candidacy with another strong performance

No, Maye didn’t stuff the stat sheet on Sunday in the same fashion as he did last week against the Jets.

But the Patriots’ second-year QB closed out his convincing MVP candidacy with another strong performance on Sunday against Miami.

While Rhamondre Stevenson and New England’s run game led the charge against Miami, Maye was once again as advertised — completing 14 of his 18 throws for 191 yards, one touchdown, and zero turnovers. 

He also rushed for 41 yards off of five carries, with the 23-year-old QB drawing more “MVP” chants after avoiding a sack (and fighting through a clear facemask penalty) and gaining a first down in the first quarter. 

With Maye’s third-quarter touchdown throw to Stevenson, he joined Tom Brady as just the second Patriots QB to throw a touchdown in at least 15 games in a single season. 

With the postseason next on the docket, Maye closed out his second season in the NFL completing 72 percent of his throws for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions.

Maye’s 72.0 completion percentage is a new Patriots franchise record and the sixth-highest total in NFL history.

Stevenson leads the charge 

New England’s 14th win of the season was punctuated by a standout performance from Stevenson, who closed out the game with 153 total yards (131 rushing yards off of seven carries) to go along with three total touchdowns. 

It didn’t take long for the Patriots to build themselves a lead, as it took New England just three plays on its opening drive to go 70 yards down the field and make it into the end zone. 

As the “MVP!” chants started for Maye, it was Stevenson who led the charge on that initial drive — headlined by a 56-yard scramble that brought the ball all the way to New England’s five-yard line. 

On the very next play, rookie TreVeyon Henderson scrambled past the goal line to give New England a 7-0 advantage just 1:46 into the contest. 

Henderson added another touchdown in the fourth quarter to finish his first NFL season with 10 TDs, becoming the fourth Patriots rookie to score at least 10 total touchdowns in a season — joining Curtis Martin (14), Robert Edwards (12), and Rob Gronkowski (10). 

Stevenson and the Patriots’ running game was not finished. While New England’s second drive of the evening was punctuated by Maye’s scrambles and a 35-yard throw to Efton Chism on a flea-flicker, it was Stevenson who cashed in. 

With Maye motioned out to set up the Wildcat, Stevenson took a direct snap from 2 yards out and punched it in — closing off a drive that went 92 yards off of nine plays.

At the end of the first quarter, New England was averaging an impressive 12.8 yards per play. 

Stevenson once again dominated on New England’s TD drive in the third quarter, shaking off a tackle (for a loss of yardage) on a 3rd-and-1 play and scrambling for 20 yards down the field. Just three players later, Stevenson gained separation on a go route and snagged a 15-yard TD catch from Maye to make it a 24-10 contest. 

Stevenson added his second touchdown of the third quarter on New England’s next drive, rumbling through for a 35-yard score to give New England a convincing 31-10 lead — with the veteran back averaging 18.7 yards per carry in the victory. 

Stevenson’s strong play down the stretch should be a welcome sight for New England ahead of the playoffs. Over his last four games, he has totaled 29 carries for 279 yards and five touchdowns — while also adding 12 receptions for 131 yards and another two touchdowns.

Patriots get reinforcements back

With the postseason around the corner, the Patriots opted to rest a few more key cogs on their defense Sunday — with players like Robert Spillane, Khyiris Tonga, and Harold Landry all inactive against Miami.

Prescribing rest for that trio stands as the right move for a Patriots team that will need their run-stuffing skills and Landry’s pass-rushing skills come the playoffs. But Sunday also saw several key players make their return to the gridiron for New England — headlined by Milton Williams and Will Campbell. 

After suffering what looked like a serious knee injury in Week 12, Campbell was cleared for game action and returned to his spot as New England’s starting left tackle. As a whole, New England’s offensive line kept Maye away from some punishment, as Miami didn’t record a single sack on Sunday.

Williams, who has been on the mend since injuring his ankle in the early stages of a Week 11 win over the Jets, also shook off the rust on Sunday — closing out the game with two tackles, including one for a loss of yardage.

Getting both Williams and Campbell back before the postseason stands as a major lift for the Patriots, with Williams standing as New England’s defensive MVP through the first half of the season. 

Unfortunately, New England was once again stung by the injury bug on Sunday — as K’Lavon Chaisson was banged up on Miami’s first drive of the third quarter. He eventually made his way off the field with the training staff and went right to the medical tent, but did return later in the game. 

Defense bounces back with two turnovers

It was looking like it was going to be a rough evening for New England’s shortage defense on Sunday, especially with Miami rookie QB Quinn Ewers opening the game completing eight of his first nine throws for 71 yards and a touchdown.

But as New England’s offense started to stagnate in the second quarter, the defense responded to keep the team’s lead intact.

Corey Durden helped force Miami’s first 3-and-out of the evening by breaking into the backfield and leading a run stop on third down, while Miami’s fourth drive of the game ended with a critical turnover. 

While Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright attempted to cut to the outside, both Christian Gonzalez and Jack Gibbens forced a fumble — with Elijah Ponder scooping up the loose ball and bringing the ball down to Miami’s 37-yard line. 

Even though New England wasn’t able to generate points off that turnover, it was still encouraging to see the Patriots defense tighten up down the stretch against a diminished Dolphins offense.

That continued at the start of the third quarter, with another promising drive for Miami ending with Jaylinn Hawkins intercepting Ewers in the end zone. It marked the second game in a row that Hawkins has recorded an interception, with New England now up to five forced turnovers in the last three games. 

Borregales helps laboring special-teams unit 

New England wasn’t able to follow up Ponder’s fumble recovery with some points on the board due to what has been a struggling special-teams unit over the last few weeks.

After New England’s drive in the closing minutes of the second quarter stalled out after a questionable offensive pass interference call against Hunter Henry, Andy Borregales’ first field-goal attempt of the evening was blocked — negating a chance for some added breathing room. 

A credit to Borregales, however, as the rookie helped bail out New England’s special-teams squad just a few minutes later — with the Miami native braving the chilly conditions and booting a 59-yard field goal to give the Patriots a 17-10 lead at the half.

After a shaky second quarter, Borregales’ kick at least gave New England some momentum going into the half — with Hawkins’ interception and Stevenson’s TD catch in the third quarter all but putting Sunday’s game away. 

Diggs reaches milestone 

An already eventful week for Stefon Diggs continued on Sunday, with the veteran wide receiver surpassing 1,000 receiving yards for the seventh time in his career.

Diggs became the first Patriots wide receiver to post 1,000 yards in a single season since Julian Edelman in 2019 in the third quarter — reeling in a 34-yard catch down the sideline. 

Beyond the individual milestone, Diggs received a $500,000 performance bonus on Sunday for surpassing 1,000 yards through the air. He has already earned another $1 million after recording both 70 and 80 catches.

Diggs ends his first regular season with the Patriots with 85 catches for 1,013 yard and four touchdowns. 

LIVE UPDATES

7:15: Final: Patriots beat the Dolphins, 38-10. New England is the No. 2 seed in the AFC and will take on the Chargers.

6:50: Dobbs now in at QB. Maye’s regular season is over.

6:46: Patriots are pulling their starters on defense. We’ll see if Dobbs draws in at QB now.

6:42: Henderson adds the final nail of the coffin with his second touchdown of the evening. It’s a 38-10 game with 12:39 left in regulation.

6:36: Diggs reels in a 34-yard catch and he has his seventh 1,000-yard season of his career.

6:30: TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS.

Rhamondre Stevenson, again.

He rumbles for a 35-yard touchdown — his third of the evening.

It’s 31-10 Patriots with 2:18 to go.

6:24: Milton Williams and Marcus Jones team up for a sack. Williams’ return can’t be overlooked.

6:16: TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS. Maye hits Stevenson in the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown. New England takes a 24-10 lead with 7:30 to go in the third quarter.

6:15: Stevenson bounces off a tackle and turns a potential TFL into a 20-yard pickup.

6:09: Jaylinn Hawkins steps up with an interception in the end zone. Patriots defense continues to bend but not break.

6:06: K’Lavon Chaisson is banged up on the play and is walking off with the training staff.

6:04: Miami converts on a 3rd-and-17 with a 20-yard pickup.

6:01: Miami’s first play of the second half if a deep shot down the field, with Carlton Davis whistled for DPI.

Dolphins already on New England’s 43-yard line.

5:47: Borregales gives New England a bit of breathing room. He converts on a 59-yard field goal and New England regains its seven-point lead.

It’s 17-10 at the half.

5:40: Patterson converts on a 52-yard field goal and it’s 14-10 game with 28 seconds left in the first half.

5:38: Christian Barmore comes up with a huge six-yard sack to push Miami out of a field goal range.

5:34: New England squanders a chance to get some additional points after Borregales’ field-goal attempt is blocked.

Still a 14-7 game.

5:33: Not a huge fan of that OPI call against Henry. Negates a third-down pickup from Pop Douglas.

5:29: In a shocking development … the Jets are the Jets.

Bills up 21-0 against New York.

5:22: The Patriots defense once again steps up, as Gonzalez and Gibbens force a fumble against Jaylen Wright and Elijah Ponder scoops up the fumble.

Patriots offense taking over at Miami’s 37-yard line.

5:20: Patriots go for it on a 4th and 1 from their own 40 but Henderson is stopped for no gain. Dolphins have a chance to tie this one up.

5:13: Nice play by Corey Durden to break into the backfield to lead the run stop. New England’s defense shakes off a slow start and forces a 3-and-out for Miami.

5:12: Score update: Bills now have a 14-0 lead over the Jets in the second quarter.

5:10: Fans at Gillette are booing as the highlights of the Broncos’ pick-six is put on TV.

5:07: Not the best drive for New England, as the Patriots punt after going 3-and-out. New England’s defense needs a bounce-back.

5:01: TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS. Ewers to Malik Washington for a 2-yard TD.

Miami has been able to move the ball pretty well through these first two drives, with Ewers completing eight of his first nine throws for 71 yards and a touchdown.

4:54: End First: Patriots lead the Dolphins, 14-0.

4:51: Elsewhere, the Broncos are up, 10-0, against the Chargers.

4:48: TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS. Stevenson takes it himself and runs it in from 2 yards out.

It’s 14-0 Patriots with 55 seconds left in the first.

4:45: Maye does it agian. He avoids a sack behind the line of scrimmage and gains 7 yards to pick up a first down. On the very next play, Maye hits Efton Chism for a 35-yard pickup off the flea flicker.

4:39: Dolphins go for it on 4th and 1 from the 8-yard line, but Wilson can’t hold onto a catch off a great throw from Ewers. Gibbens in coverage.

Maye and Co. are taking over from the 8.

4:38: Milton Williams makes his return with a tackle for loss on an outside run for Wright. 6-yard loss.

4:35: Elsewhere across the NFL, Josh Allen takes one snap and is out of the game for Trubisky. Buffalo resting their starting QB for the rest of the evening.

A Bills loss to the Jets could open the door for New England to host Buffalo in the first round of the playoffs.

4:28: TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS. TreVeyon Henderson caps off the drive with a 5-yard TD run.

New England scores off a 3-play, 70-yard drive.

It’s 7-0 Patriots.

4:27: Rhamodre Stevenson reels off a 56-yard run. New England already on the 5-yard line.

4:26: “MVP” chants have already started at Gillette.

4:24: Dolphins win the coin toss and defer. Maye and the Patriots are up first.

4:17: LeGarrette Blount is today’s Keeper of the Light.

4:15: The Texans close out their regular-season slate with a win over the Colts. That win locks them into the No. 5 seed in the AFC. They cannot be the Patriots’ 1st round opponent, no matter what.

4:12: Will Campbell is good to go for tonight’s game.

3:47: Jaguars beat the Titans, 41-7, and are AFC South Champions. New England needs to win today or else fall to the No. 3 seed in the AFC.

3:44: Mike Vrabel was asked on 98.5 The Sports Hub over whether or not he will alter his approach today based on how the Broncos/Chargers game is going.

“”Eh. Again, we’re talking about a football team that won 8 games in 2 years. We’re trying to create a culture of winning here.”

3:32: Warmups are underway:

3:05: For those looking to keep tabs on New England’s various seeding scenarios, Conor Roche has you covered here!

3:00: Meanwhile, Tua Tagovailoa is the emergency third QB for Miami today. Yikes!

Quinn Ewers is expected to start for the Dolphins. 

2:55: A look at the Patriots inactives: 

No surprise, but Spillane, Landry, Tonga, and others are out. New England wisely prescribing rest for those key cogs on defense.

2:39: Greetings from Gillette!