Miami Dolphins’ fans target head coach, GM with airplane banner
Anger among the Miami Dolphins fanbase took to the skies on Sept. 14 ahead of the team’s home opener against the New England Patriots.
MIAMI GARDENS ― The Miami Dolphins lost to the New England Patriots, 33-27, in their Week 2 home opener at Hard Rock Stadium.
Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle all played well for Miami.
On defense, Chop Robinson, Bradley Chubb and Jordyn Brooks had sacks.
It was not enough. And the Dolphins’ 2025 season is already in trouble.
Malik Washington made a huge splash with a 74-yard punt return for touchdown for a 27-23 Dolphins lead with 7:18 to play.
Shockingly, Antonio Gibson of the Patriots then immediately responded with a 90-yard kickoff return for a 30-27 Patriots lead with 7:06 to play.
Tagaovailoa was intercepted on a fourth down with less than three minutes to play and the Dolphins driving for a tie or the lead.
Patriots kicker Andy Borregales made a 53-yarder for a 33-27 lead with 1:47 to play.
Tagovailoa was sacked on 4th-and-12 from the Patriots’ 28-yard line with less than a minute to play, to seal the game. Milton Williams sealed the game after he worked past Miami guard Kion Smith.
This was almost a must-win for the Dolphins, as they’ll play play a Week 3 Thursday Night Football game at powerful Buffalo in just a few days, Sept. 18.
The Patriots dominated much of the action but did had 11 penalties. The Dolphins had 10.
The Dolphins are 0-2. The Patriots are 1-1.
Here are our Instant Grades for Dolphins at Patriots
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa had an apparent interception in the first quarter negated by offsetting penalties.
Tagovailoa completed an 18-yard touchdown on a touch pass to Jaylen Waddle in a corner of the end zone in the second quarter.
At one point in the third quarter, Tua was boasting a perfect passer rating of 158.3.
Tagovailoa and Miami’s passing offense took advantage of a Patriots defense without top cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
Tua was however intercepted on a fourth down with less than three minutes to play and the Dolphins trailing by 3 points.
And he was sacked on the final play of the game after driving into position to win at the very end of the game.
This was a much-improved performance by Tua, following a subpar effort in the season opener at Indianapolis.
But it wasn’t enough.
Tagovailoa falls to 7-1 against the Patriots and 0-3 against coach Mike Vrabel, who previously coached the Titans.
Grade: B-
Running Backs
Rookie Ollie Gordon II had a nice block on a run by Malik Washington and later gained 8 yards on a second-quarter inside run.
De’Von Achane caught a pass from Tua Tagovailoa and ran 29 yards for a toucdown in the second quarter.
The Dolphins really need to run the ball more. Their yards per carry in each of the first two games this season has been encouraging.
Grade: C
Receivers
Jaylen Waddle caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Tagovailoa.
Waddle had been too quiet for too long, dating back to last season.
Later, Waddle hauled in a 23-yarder that was challenged by the Patriots but not overturned.
Tyreek Hill hauled in a 47-yarder in the third quarter. It was a bit underthrown by Tua but Hill made a nice adjustment.
Tyreek went over 100 yards receiving.
Malik Washington was penalized for turning upfield too quickly after motion.
Grade: B
Tight Ends
Darren Waller (hip) missed his second consecutive game.
Tanner Conner and Julian Hill were not much of a factor.
Grade: D
Offensive Line
Miami played without starters at right tackle Austin Jackson (toe) and right guard James Daniels (pectoral).
Right guard Kion Smith was called for holding in the first quarter.
A false start by Patrick Paul cost Miami a shot to tie the game at 15 shortly before halftime on a 2-point conversion.
Jonah Savaiinaea was called for holding in the third quarter.
Center Aaron Brewer was called for holding in the third quarter.
Larry Borom allowed a key sack on third down near the very end of the game.
Kion Smith allowed a key sack on the final play of the game.
Grade: D+
Defensive Line
The Dolphins’ defensive line played without starting nose tackle Benito Jones.
Miami did not do a very effective job slowing the Patriots’ run game.
Grade: C-
Linebackers/Edge Rushers
Bradley Chubb picked up his second sack in as many games, in the first quarter.
Chop Robinson picked up his first sack of the season in the second quarter.
Jordyn Brooks picked up a sack on third down in the third quarter.
Brooks was in coverage on Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson on a 56-yard gainer in the third quarter.
Willie Gay Jr. had a tackle for loss in the fourth quarter.
Grade: C+
Defensive Backs
Rasul Douglas had a nice pass breakup on an attempt for tight end Hunter Henry.
Patriots tight end Austin Hooper caught a long pass play on play-action with safety Dante Trader closest in coverage.
Later Trader was in successful pass coverage on a third-and-goal. It’s clear the Dolphins coaches already trust Trader.
Former Dolphins receiver Mack Hollins caught a touchdown pass in the first quarter with safey Ifeatu Melifonwu closest in coverage.
Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte caught a touchdown pass with cornerback Jack Jones in pretty tight coverage.
Rookie defensive back Jason Marshall had an illegal contact penalty.
Grade: D+
Special Teams
The Dolphins defended two extra points missed by Patriots rookie Andy Borregales, who played at the University of Miami last season.
Borregales made a 53-yarder for a 33-27 lead with 1:47 to play.
Dolphins kicker Riley Patterson made a 40-yard field goal for a 17-15 lead in the third quarter. Patterson made a 44-yarder in the third quarter for a 20-15 lead.
Tyreek Hill elected to return a punt in the third quarter.
Malik Washington had a massive 74-yard punt return for touchdown in the fourth quarter, to lift Miami to a 27-23 lead with 7:18 to play.
Unfortunately, the Patriots immediately responded with a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Grade: B
Coaching
For the second week in a row, the Dolphins had an incredibly difficult time stopping the opponent from scoring on all or almost all drives.
The Dolphins took a delay of game when driving to tie or win the game at the end of the fourth quarter.
The Dolphins had to use their last time out near the very end of the game because the play clock was winding down.
Miami scored on a punt return touchdown but allowed a kickoff return touchdown.
Grade: C-
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe’s free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
