Drake Maye and the Patriots spent most of Sunday chasing the Dolphins. Then, with one replay and two long touchdown throws, New England turned Miami’s hopeful home afternoon into a 24-19 victory at Hard Rock Stadium.

The Patriots arrived at 4-3, trying to stay on the path toward another deep playoff run. The 1-5 Dolphins were trying to build on their first win of the season and show that coach Jeff Hafley’s new group could keep growing. For one half, Malik Willis and Miami looked ready to do exactly that.

New England struck first when kicker Andy Borregales made a 34-yard field goal. Miami’s defense answered with a huge moment. A Dolphins defender knocked the ball loose from New England receiver Efton Chism III, and Miami recovered at the Patriots’ 19-yard line. The Dolphins could only turn that short field into Zane Gonzalez’s 31-yard field goal, but they had tied the score, 3-3.

Miami’s offense then found its rhythm in the second quarter. Willis hit Malik Washington for a 23-yard gain, and the Dolphins marched into field-goal range. Gonzalez drilled a 52-yarder for a 6-3 lead. The Patriots drove back toward the goal line later in the half, but Borregales missed wide right from 40 yards.

Willis made New England pay. With only seconds left, he guided Miami downfield despite a sack and a holding penalty. He found Washington at the 1-yard line for a touchdown with eight seconds left, sending the Dolphins to halftime ahead 13-3. Washington finished with five catches for 40 yards, and his score gave Miami’s rebuilt offense a shining moment.

But Maye changed the game after halftime. The Patriots quarterback led a drive built on Rhamondre Stevenson’s hard running, then launched a deep pass to Kyle Williams. The original ruling was incomplete, but replay showed Williams had made the catch for a 43-yard touchdown. Suddenly, New England was within 13-10.

Maye kept attacking. He found DeMario Douglas for 26 yards, then powered in himself from 2 yards out to put the Patriots ahead 17-13 late in the third quarter. Maye threw for 199 yards and two touchdowns while adding that rushing score.

Early in the fourth, safety Byard intercepted Willis near midfield. Two plays later, Maye hit Douglas on a 48-yard touchdown bolt for a 24-13 lead. That quick swing showed why the Patriots stayed patient after their slow start.

Miami fought back. Willis led a fast final drive and found Kevin Coleman Jr. for a 35-yard touchdown with 2:04 left. The two-point try failed, and Stevenson recovered Miami’s onside kick before grinding out the first down that let New England run out the clock.

The Patriots are now 5-3 and head to face Green Bay with proof that they can rally when a game turns difficult. Miami falls to 1-6 before meeting Detroit, but its late push showed the new Dolphins still have fight in every chapter of their season.

Drake Maye’s Late Strikes Turn Miami’s Lead Into a Patriots Win