Maye leads Patriots past Dolphins despite key absences

New England Patriots fans watched their team erase a 10-point deficit to defeat the Miami Dolphins 24-19 on Sunday. The victory came despite the absence of three major offensive weapons.

Quarterback Drake Maye played without wide receivers A.J. Brown and Mack Hollins, as well as running back TreVeyon Henderson. Brown missed the game with a knee and ankle injury, while Hollins dealt with a calf issue. Henderson was sidelined due to an illness.

Maye completed 16 of 20 passes for 199 yards. He threw two touchdown passes and rushed for a score. The Patriots trailed 13-3 at the half but outscored Miami 21-0 during the third quarter. This run gave New England a 17-13 lead heading into the final period.

Coach Mike Vrabel credited Maye for finding ways to win. "(If) you want to be a great quarterback in the National Football League, there's not a whole lot of excuses," Vrabel said. "You go out there and find ways to win for your football team. That’s who he is and that’s what he wants to continue to be."

The Patriots capitalized on Miami errors in the second half. Wide receiver DeMario Douglas caught a 48-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter. That score extended the New England lead to 19-13. Later, Maye faked a handoff to Rhamondre Stevenson and ran in a 2-yard touchdown with 59 seconds left in the third quarter.

The Dolphins rallied late in the game. Quarterback Malik Willis completed a 35-yard touchdown pass to rookie Kevin Coleman Jr. with two minutes remaining. Miami attempted a two-point conversion but failed. Patriots Rhamondre Stevenson recovered the onside kick from Bradley Pinion. New England then controlled the clock to secure the win.

Willis finished the game 21 of 32 for 211 yards. He threw two touchdown passes and one interception while being sacked five times. The Dolphins had their first win last week, but their season record fell to 1-6 with this loss. The Patriots improved to 5-3.

A controversial call helped shift momentum in the third quarter. Maye threw a 43-yard pass to Kyle Williams for a touchdown. Officials initially ruled the play an incomplete pass because Williams' knee appeared to knock the ball loose. Vrabel challenged the call. Replays showed Williams crossed the goal line before losing possession. Vrabel said he was more certain than the officials were on the initial ruling.

The Dolphins lost running back Ollie Gordon to a penalty and a sideline conversation. Gordon drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after speaking to a defender. Coach Jeff Hafley removed Gordon for one play. Willis told Gordon on the sideline that he was wrong in that situation. Willis said he wanted to be honest with his teammate.

The Patriots host Green Bay next Sunday. The Dolphins host Detroit next Sunday.