Quick thoughts from South Florida Sun Sentinel staffers on the Miami Dolphins’ loss to the New England Patriots in a wild back-and-forth affair at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday:

Chris Perkins, Dolphins Columnist

It was a complete loss. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw a key interception with 2:12 remaining to practically end the Dolphins’ comeback hopes in what’s already turning into a nightmare season for him and coach Mike McDaniel. But the biggest surprise of Sunday’s bad performance was defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver’s defense, which allowed the Patriots to score on each of their first three possessions. And just to complete the chain of poor play, special teams allowed a late kickoff return touchdown. Yikes.

David Furones, Dolphins Writer

The nightmare starting scenario for the Dolphins brass is playing out. They lost at home to the Patriots, and now they have the powerhouse Buffalo Bills on the road on a short week. Seats only get hotter with every passing game. The operation offensively suffered late, and the defense just isn’t getting enough stops.

Steve Svekis, Assistant Sports Editor

It was a pulsating game, but the Dolphins are 0-2 against two middling teams, including a loss while enjoying one of the great homefield advantages in pro sports, the 1 p.m. September home game in South Florida. With a short week and a trip to dominant-looking Buffalo, not being 0-3 would seem like wishful thinking. The Dolphins once won a game over the Steelers when Antonio Brown had a toe out of bounds in icy Pittsburgh. Now, the Patriots got the gift.

Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor

The Dolphins made a valiant rally, but in the end, Drake Maye, Rhamondre Stevenson and a 90-yard kickoff return were too much. This season is getting rough in a hurry.

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/09/14/instant-analysis-new-england-patriots-33-miami-dolphins-27/