The Miami Dolphins lost 38-10 to the New England Patriots as they finished with double-digit losses for the first time since 2019.
The Dolphins started off poorly as they allowed a touchdown on the Patriots’ first two drives and got off to a 14-0 deficit. Miami then reeled off 10 straight points, but failed to overcome their early deficit as they were swept by New England for the first time since 2016. Following the Dolphins’ 10 straight points, the Patriots scored 24 straight points as they put the game out of reach early in the fourth quarter.
Rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers made his third and final start of the season. After a strong start to the game, he finished 16-for-23 with 137 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Ewers was replaced by Zach Wilson late in the fourth-quarter.
Dolphins Player Misses Incentives
After two sacks in the Dolphins win over the Buccaneers, Bradley Chubb surpassed eight on the year, which triggered an incentive in his contract. Additionally, he also met the threshold of playing time to reach another incentive. Unfortunately for Chubb, his incentives were contingent on the Dolphins having a top-20 defense in the NFL in points per game allowed. After the Dolphins allowed 38 points in the loss to New England, the team failed to reach that mark as they remained outside the top-20.
Chubb would have amassed over $5 million in incentives, but the result in Week 18 was not enough for him. Entering Week 18, Miami needed to surpass the Falcons to enter the top-20, but failed to do so. The Falcons allowed 17 points against the Saints in their win. Dolphins players Jordyn Brooks and Rasul Douglas also missed out on incentives as they needed Miami to finish in the top-20 as well.
Bradley Chubb finished the game with just one combined tackle as he failed to get a sack.
Bradley Chubb’s Season
Chubb missed the 2024 season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament, meniscus and patellar tendon in his right knee on the Dolphins’ Week 17 loss against the Ravens of the 2023 season. At the time, the injury resulted in head coach Mike McDaniel being criticized as he kept the Dolphins starters late in the fourth quarter despite the game being out of hand. When asked about keeping Chubb late in the fourth and the ensuing injury, McDaniel said, “I mean, in hindsight, I would absolutely not have wanted him out there.”
The Dolphins pass-rusher finished his first full-season with the team and registered 8.5 sacks, which led the team. It marked his second most productive season as a member of the Dolphins. He’s currently tied for 22nd on the Dolphins all-time sack leaderboard.
Chubb’s future with the Dolphins remains to be seen. His contract was restructured prior to free agency this season, which allowed him to remain a member of the team for the 2025 season. However, in 2026, Chubb is set to carry a $31 million cap hit and a base salary of nearly $20 million if his contract remains the same. The Dolphins will have a decision to make on his contract in the offseason. His performance this year will make it hard for Miami to replace his production.
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