Rhamondre Stevenson scores 3 TDs and playoff-bound Patriots beat Dolphins 38-10 – Boston News, Weather, Sports

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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Rhamondre Stevenson ran for 2 touchdowns and caught one other from MVP contender Drake Maye, and the New England Patriots accomplished their exceptional turnaround season with a 38-10 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Stevenson rushed seven instances for 131 yards as New England posted its first sweep of the Dolphins for the reason that 2016 season. TreVeyon Henderson added landing runs of two and 5 yards.

The Patriots completed 14-3, their most victories since they gained the Tremendous Bowl to cap the 2016 season. The AFC East champions will probably be No. 2 seed within the playoffs and host the seventh-seeded Los Angeles Chargers within the wild-card spherical subsequent weekend. Denver prevented New England from incomes the AFC’s high seed by beating the Chargers 19-3 on Sunday.

Miami (7-10) completed with its second straight sub-.500 season below coach Mike McDaniel following back-to-back playoff appearances in his first two seasons.

Maye accomplished 14 of 18 passes for 191 yards and a landing earlier than taking a seat early within the fourth quarter. Henderson’s 5-yard TD run was arrange by a 56-yard run by Stevenson on the second play of the Patriots’ game-opening drive.

The Patriots took benefit of a Dolphins protection that was enjoying with out linebacker Chop Robinson (concussion) and security Minkah Fitzpatrick (calf). Linebacker Jordyn Brooks performed however has been coping with a hamstring damage.

Miami’s offense was lacking tight finish Darren Waller (groin) extensive receiver Jaylen Waddle (ribs) and proper Austin Jackson (again/groin). The Dolphins nonetheless received a powerful effort from rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers, who was making his third begin following the benching of Tua Tagovailoa.

Ewers completed 16 of 23 for 137 yards with a landing and interception earlier than limping off late within the fourth quarter with a knee damage. He was changed by Zach Wilson.

Ewers accomplished eight of his first 9 passes, together with a 2-yard TD to Malik Washington early within the second quarter to maintain strain on the Patriots.

It didn’t final, with New England shortly including to its 17-10 halftime lead. First, Maye related with Stevenson on 15-yard landing move. Stevenson then scored on a 35-yard TD run that made it 31-10.

Diggs goes over 1,000

With a 34-yard catch on the finish of the third quarter, New England’s Stefon Diggs eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards for the seventh time in his profession. It’s the primary 1,000-yard season by a Patriots receiver since 2019, when Julian Edelman had 1,117 receiving yards.

Diggs’ milestone got here throughout every week by which he was charged with strangulation and other criminal offenses associated to a dispute Diggs allegedly had together with his former non-public chef.

Borregales connects from deep

Andy Borregales made a 59-yard discipline aim as time expired within the first half to place the Patriots in entrance 17-10. It was the longest of his profession and the third longest in Patriots historical past, behind a 63-yarder by Joey Slye at San Francisco on Sept. 29, 2024, and a 62-yarder by Stephen Gostkowski on Nov. 19, 2017 in opposition to the Raiders within the skinny air of Mexico Metropolis.

Accidents

Dolphins: Washington left within the second quarter with a thumb damage. … WR Theo Wease Jr. was evaluated for a concussion within the fourth quarter.