The Miami Dolphins dug themselves an early hole, but battled back, grabbed the lead, and had every opportunity to win on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.
But, of course, that’s not how the story played out in Miami. The Dolphins dropped to 0-2 to begin 2025 after a 33-27 loss against the New England Patriots with a date at Buffalo looming this coming Thursday.
As is always the case, these three immediate overreactions are not the time and the place for the rationale, well-reasoned response. So, with that, let’s jump right into three overreactions from the Dolphins’ latest disappointment.
Anthony Weaver might have to go, too
The fire Mike McDaniel chorus will only grow louder as Miami stumbles through the start to its season. If changes are indeed made any time soon, defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver might have to go, too.
After allowing the Indianapolis Colts to score on every single drive in Miami’s season opener, Weaver and the Dolphins watched New England jump out to a 12-0 lead right out of the chute. The Patriots scored on each of their first three possessions Sunday.
Weaver is a name that’s been floated as a potential interim head coach. Right now, how could that be the case?
It’s not all Weaver’s fault. Dolphins defensive players missed opportunities to win this game. A missed sack of Drake Maye on a third-and-3 led to a 55-yard completion to Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson. New England capped that drive with a six-yard Maye touchdown scramble to jump back in front, 23-20.
While Miami did force a pair of stops in the second half, the Dolphins’ defense has largely been an abomination. Any way you slice it, allowing the opposition to score on each of their first 10 possessions of 2025 is flat-out atrocious.
Miami’s offense started to figure things out
Not to absolve Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa of his late interception on fourth-and-9 where it looked like his checkdown route had an angle to first-down yardage, but Miami did get things rolling a bit offensively.
Given what their defense looks like, Tagovailoa and this offense are going to have to be great in order for this team to have a chance to right the ship and start winning football games.
Tagovailoa completed 26-of-32 passes for 315 yards and a pair of touchdowns to De’Von Achane and Jaylen Waddle. Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill led the way with six grabs for 109 yards.
Miami’s running game wasn’t great on Sunday, as top running back De’Von Achane carried 11 times for just 30 yards. The Dolphins finished with 358 yards of total offense and mounted four scoring drives.
A 2-4 start is now the best-case scenario
It’s suddenly challenging trying to find wins on the schedule for this football team. Given what the right side of the offensive line is going to look like in the near future, Dolphins fans better hope Miami can find a way to beat both the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers in Weeks 4 and 5.
Otherwise, this thing is going to get ugly in a hurry. Miami isn’t beating Buffalo on Thursday as currently constructed and the Los Angeles Chargers will be a healthy favorite over Miami as well.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: 3 overreactions to the Dolphins’ 33-27 loss vs. Patriots
Reporting by Josh Helmer, Dolphins Wire / Dolphins Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
