Pressure Point: Dolphins stun Patriots for a half, make positive strides despite loss

The past two weeks have seen a rookie-laden Miami Dolphins team take positive steps that perhaps were unforeseen in a rebuilding first season under coach Jeff Hafley.

Remember, at 0-5 the prevailing opinion was that they might not win a game all year.

Beating a struggling New York Jets team wasn’t a huge surprise.

Taking the New England Patriots—a Super Bowl finalist last season—to the mat for a half Sunday was an eye-opener.

Alas, it was too good to last. After taking a surprising 13-3 lead into halftime at soggy Hard Rock Stadium, a second-half runaway by the Patriots with touchdowns on three consecutive long drives provided the inevitable reality check as Miami fell to 1-6 with the 24-19 defeat.

Malik Willis’ 35-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Coleman Jr. with 2:10 remaining kept it a one-score game, though New England had matters firmly in hand.

But the positive strides taken in the past two games by a team with 14 rookies and hamstrung by salary cap dead money are a tribute to Hafley and his staff.

Dolphins forge first lead at home

The 11-play, 70-yard touchdown drive in the final two minutes of the first half was the most eye-opening achievement of the season so far.

That followed a 12-play, 55-yard drive to a field goal on the previous possession, which gave the Dolphins their first lead at home this season.

The second-half turnabout was a reminder it is a long process trying to rebuild through the draft, and this inexperienced Dolphins crew is miles away from beating a playoff-caliber opponent.  That may not come this season.

There is a lot to like about this spirited young team, which has many lessons to learn.

Such as not getting flagged for taunting, as running back Ollie Gordon II did to turn a third-and-5 into a third-and-20 in the third quarter. Can’t help wondering, though, what he may have said to warrant a drive-ending penalty.

That became a teaching moment for Hafley in an encounter with Gordon on the sideline.

“I’ll keep our conversations private… I need to do a really good job of teaching him, how he has to react in situations,” Hafley said. “I’ll continue to work with him on that, I know he cares.”

WOW: #DOLPHINS QB MALIK WILLIS DID NOT HOLD BACK ON YOUNG RB OLLIE GORDON AFTER THIS COSTLY 3RD-QUARTER TAUNTING PENALTY…

“I was just letting him know that, in that situation, he’s deadass wrong. And that’s the honest truth.”

Damn 😳😳😳 pic.twitter.com/K69vmUOGLJ

— MLFootball (@MLFootball) November 2, 2026

Near-misses stymie Dolphins

Another lesson would be that when a blitzing cornerback has a clear path to sacking a stationary quarterback on third-and-long, you’ve got to put him on the ground. Instead, rookie Chris Johnson bounced off Maye, who threw down field for a first down.

To his credit, Johnson later made what was initially ruled a drive-ending fourth-down tackle on DeMario Douglas at the Miami 22. Replay changed the spot of the ball to just enough for a Patriots first down.

New England went on to score the go-ahead touchdown a few plays later.

The Dolphins are at the stage of development where near misses elude them. But of greater concern are the major shortcomings, notably pass coverage.

The Dolphins’ defense played admirably in the first half, as Miami outgained New England 123-97 in the half.

Maye had only 53 yards passing in the first half. Then he started taking shots down field and was unstoppable in the second half, throwing for two touchdowns and running for a third on three consecutive possessions. Maye ended with 199 yards and a 141.5 passer rating.

The Dolphins’ pass rush was better than it’s been with three sacks, including two by Chop Robinson. Johnson should have had a fourth.

What and HOW? #nfl #Dolphins #Patriots pic.twitter.com/meVZKf1sFp

— Seth Jonathan (@SethJUSA) November 1, 2026

QB Willis has moments good and bad

Like the defense, Willis and the Miami offense were wildly erratic. After their momentous second quarter, the Dolphins had a net minus-two yards (figuring in Gordon’s 15-yard penalty) with no first downs in the third quarter.

Rookie left guard Kadyn Proctor, out with a concussion, was missed. His replacement, Jarrett Kingston, was flagged for a false start on the opening series.

The Dolphins came into the game as the only team in the NFL to rush for 100 yards in each of their previous five games. That streak ended as they totaled 74 yards with an average of 3.2 yards a carry.

The Patriots effectively sealed off Willis’ escape routes for scrambling out of the pocket. He finished with one carry for two yards while being sacked five times.

Willis threw for two touchdowns and had an interception that deflected off a New England lineman’s helmet. He was attempting to get the ball to Caleb Douglas who was open deep.

Instead it was Maye throwing a 48-yard touchdown to DeMario Douglas two plays after the turnover.

Willis exhibited leadership in conveying to Gordon on the sideline that “in that situation, he’s deadass wrong. And that’s the honest truth.”

35 yds to @KevinLamarCole1 🏈

📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/bjuadJK8YJ

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) November 2, 2026

Growing pains abound for 1-6 Dolphins

Such are the growing pains that are sure to continue for Miami.

For fans more interested in elevating draft position than collecting wins this season, the Dolphins remain in the running for the No. 1 overall pick, though they might have to arm-wrestle it away from the 0-7 Chargers.

As for this Dolphins work in progress, a rainy Sunday revealed a good bit to like and a whole lot more improvement needed.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for more than four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.