Maye Shines as Patriots Beat Dolphins 24-19 for Fifth Win of the Season

Drake Maye continued his impressive run of form as the New England Patriots beat the Miami Dolphins 24-19 on Sunday to pick up their fifth win of the season — and their third against a divisional opponent. The young quarterback finished 16-of-20 for 199 passing yards and two touchdowns, adding eight carries and a rushing score in another composed display. The game's defining moment came when Maye bought time with his legs, extended the play, and found DeMario Douglas, who dodged one tackle and split the defenders to finish a 48-yard touchdown. It was the kind of improvisation that has become Maye's trademark in recent weeks, thriving despite a receiving corps that continues to be hit by injuries. Miami made life uncomfortable early. For the first time since Week 1, New England had a fully healthy secondary, but it did not look like it in the first half as the Dolphins moved the ball with surprising ease. The Patriots tightened up after the break, however, and Cory Durden's first career sack was among the defensive highlights of a gutsy second-half stand. The win keeps New England's momentum rolling and underlines how far this team has come. With Maye playing with growing confidence and the defense finding ways to close games out, the Patriots look like a side nobody will enjoy facing down the stretch — starting with a team that now believes it can win the games it used to lose.