Seven Takeawys from Patriots 33-27 win in Miami

Well, for better or for worse, the streak is finally over. The Patriots snapped a five-game skid in Miami and beat Tua Tagovailoa for the first time in his career. It was a game of breaking streaks, with the Patriots also scoring 30+ points for the first time since 2022. It was a 47-game streak, the longest in the NFL without scoring 30+ points.

It wasn’t perfect — penalties, coverage busts, and special teams miscues nearly cost them — but Mike Vrabel earned his first win as head coach, Drake Maye delivered a good-enough performance, and New England showed it can fight back on the road in a tough environment.

Here are seven big takeaways from a memorable afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium.

1. Drake Maye Delivers His First Signature Win

Second-year QB Drake Maye put it all together. To date, this was one of his most complete games. He went 19-for-23 for 230 yards, accounting for three total touchdowns. The biggest improvement in his game was he avoided any turnover-worthy plays. He made the right throws and did well in the pocket, avoiding pressure to pick up easy yards. He was in a rhythm the entire game. After the game, when asked about getting off to a fast start, Maye talked about the weather playing a significant factor.

“Just stayed cool and calm. I mean, I was feeling good. Feeling good in warmups. Down here in this humidity, this is what I grew up throwing in, in North Carolina. The ball feels good, so [I’m] spinning it well.”

According to NBC Sports Boston, Maye had the third-fastest average time to throw (2.57 seconds) in Week 2 but had the NFL’s third-best completion percentage over expected. On the ground, he ran for 31 yards on 10 attempts. The biggest thing when rewatching the game was the ability for Maye to pick up the easy yards, playing conservative at times, but he managed to avoid third-and-longs all game.

2. Antonio Gibson’s Kickoff Return Seals It

Tua looked unstoppable early, completing 26-of-32 passes for 315 yards and two touchdowns through three quarters. The bigger underlying issue wasn’t necessarily the play-calling but allowing so many explosive plays. Tua was carving up New England’s zones with quick throws and routes over the middle of the field. But in the fourth quarter, the pass rush woke up at the right time with Milton Williams and Harold Landry coming up big with sacks. And although it was erased by a penalty, Marte Mapu had an interception that could’ve been taken back for a pick-six if the Patriots hadn’t lined up in the neutral zone.

3. Patriots Defense Survives Early, Finishes Strong

Tua looked unstoppable early, completing 26-of-32 passes for 315 yards and two touchdowns through three quarters. The bigger underlying issue wasn’t necessarily the play-calling but allowing so many explosive plays. Tua was carving up New England’s zones with quick throws and routes over the middle of the field. But in the fourth quarter, the pass rush woke up at the right time with Milton Williams and Harold Landry coming up big with sacks. And although it was erased by a penalty, Marte Mapu had an interception that could’ve been taken back for a pick-six if the Patriots hadn’t lined up in the neutral zone.

4. Offensive Line Protects Well but have to limit the Penalties

The Patriots rolled out an entirely new offensive line in Week 1 and they largely held their own. Rookie LT Will Campbell was clean against Bradley Chubb. Meanwhile, rookie left guard Jared Wilson had a great game, allowing zero sacks and committing zero penalties. Maye faced pressure on just six of 31 dropbacks. But the group as a whole had five penalties, including four false starts. It’s only Week 2, but the Patriots had all summer to get their pre-snap penalties worked out, and it’s really inexcusable that the O-line continuously is getting called for false starts.

5. Rhamondre Stevenson Leads a Balanced Backfield

After disappearing from the run game in the opener, Stevenson carried 11 times for 54 yards and added 88 receiving yards, including that 55-yard wheel route. Rookie TreVeyon Henderson flashed explosiveness as both a runner and receiver. However, the rookie still has to get better as a pass protector, allowing a sack and just overall not executing to the standard he should be. Gibson only had 10 offensive snaps, but his special teams impact is incredibly underrated.

6. Patriots Still Miss Christian Gonzalez

With All-Pro corner Christian Gonzalez sidelined by a hamstring injury, the Patriots secondary struggled to contain Miami’s speed. Miami is one of the fastest teams in the league, so it makes sense, but still you wonder what the defense could’ve done with their All-Pro cornerback. Alex Austin surrendered an 18-yard touchdown to Jaylen Waddle and a 47-yard chunk to Tyreek Hill. Without Gonzalez, Vrabel had to rotate between soft zones and blitz looks, neither consistently working. The Patriots haven’t been able to play a lot of man because of the absence of Christian Gonzalez. If New England wants to tighten up defensively, getting Gonzalez back is critical.

7. Patriots will host Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers will head to Gillette Stadium in Week 3, and after suffering a 31-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, they will look to get right against the Patriots. The Steelers open as slight favorites, but Vegas has the line at 1.5 Sunday night. The Steelers lost linebacker Alex Highsmith and defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk during the game in Week 2, so that will be something to monitor during the week. The Steelers have allowed back-to-back 100-plus rushing yard performances to Breece Hall in Week 1 and Kenneth Walker in Week 2, so it’s set up for another big game for Rhamondre Stevenson.