Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 4 Recap: Patriots Win, Turnover-Free Offense, and Defensive Run Stopping

The Miami Dolphins seized control of the AFC East on Sunday, defeating the New England Patriots 27-17 at Hard Rock Stadium in a game that showcased their growth as a consistent, disciplined team. After a back-and-forth first half, the Dolphins pulled away in the third quarter, relying on a turnover-free offense led by Tua Tagovailoa and a defense that shut down the Patriots’ vaunted running game. For a franchise that has spent years playing second fiddle to the Patriots in the division, this win wasn’t just a statement—it was a changing of the guard, proving the Dolphins are now the team to beat in the AFC East. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 4 Recap: Patriots Win, Turnover-Free Offense, and Defensive Run Stopping breaks down the defining moments of the game, highlights standout performances, and explores how this victory shapes the Dolphins’ playoff path.

The Dolphins’ offense was the star of the show on Sunday, delivering a masterclass in discipline and execution against Bill Belichick’s tricky defense. Tagovailoa, who entered the game with the challenge of solving New England’s mixed coverages, was nearly flawless: he completed 28 of 36 passes for 312 yards and two touchdowns, with zero interceptions, and he never let the Patriots’ blitzes rattle him. What stood out most was his ability to read Belichick’s pre-snap adjustments—time and again, he checked into plays that exploited the Patriots’ coverage gaps, including a 25-yard touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill in the second quarter and a 10-yard scoring strike to Jaylen Waddle in the third. The running game also complemented the passing attack perfectly: Raheem Mostert rushed for 78 yards on 16 carries (4.9 yards per attempt), and De’Von Achane added 35 yards on 8 carries, keeping the Patriots’ defense off-balance. “We talked all week about being patient and not forcing plays—and that’s exactly what we did,” offensive coordinator Frank Smith said after the game. The Dolphins converted 7 of 11 third-down attempts, a season high, and they never turned the ball over— a critical achievement against a Patriots team that entered the game with 5 takeaways. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 4 Recap: Patriots Win, Turnover-Free Offense, and Defensive Run Stopping emphasizes this offensive performance because it proved the Dolphins can beat not just good teams, but the NFL’s most schematically clever defenses— a skill that will be vital in the playoffs.

While the offense shined, the Dolphins’ defense deserves equal praise for neutralizing the Patriots’ biggest strength: their running game. Entering the week, New England ranked 8th in the NFL in rushing attempts, but the Dolphins held them to just 68 rushing yards on 22 carries (3.1 yards per attempt)— well below their season average of 4.2 yards per carry. Rhamondre Stevenson, who came into the game with 232 rushing yards, was limited to 43 yards on 12 carries, and he never found a rhythm thanks to the Dolphins’ gap discipline. Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins led the charge, recording 8 tackles, 1 sack, and two tackles for loss, while linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel added 5 tackles and a crucial stop on fourth-and-1 in the third quarter that halted a Patriots drive. “Our goal was to make the Patriots one-dimensional—and we did that,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. The defense also kept Mac Jones in check: the Patriots quarterback completed 24 of 35 passes for 226 yards and one touchdown, but he was sacked twice and forced into several hurried throws. Cornerback Xavien Howard, who covered DeVante Parker for most of the game, held the Patriots wide receiver to just 3 catches for 29 yards— a far cry from his 189-yard start to the season. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 4 Recap: Patriots Win, Turnover-Free Offense, and Defensive Run Stopping highlights this defensive effort because it addressed a key preseason concern— can the Dolphins stop physical running games? Sunday’s answer was a resounding yes, and it’s a sign that Fangio’s scheme is now fully integrated.

Special teams, which the Dolphins targeted as a potential edge, delivered once again, with Jason Sanders’ accuracy and Jake Bailey’s field position control playing pivotal roles. Sanders made all three of his field goal attempts (from 37, 42, and 45 yards) and both extra points, including a 45-yard kick in the fourth quarter that extended the Dolphins’ lead to 27-17 and effectively sealed the win. Bailey, who has bounced back from a Week 2 miscue, averaged 48.5 yards per punt and pinned the Patriots inside their 20-yard line three times— forcing New England to start drives in poor field position. The coverage unit was also solid, holding Patriots returner Marcus Jones to just 4.5 yards per punt return and 18.3 yards per kickoff return. “Special teams won us the field position battle today, and that made it harder for the Patriots to mount comebacks,” special teams coordinator Danny Crossman said. Jaylen Waddle also contributed in the return game, averaging 9.2 yards per punt return, including an 11-yard return that set up the Dolphins’ first touchdown. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 4 Recap: Patriots Win, Turnover-Free Offense, and Defensive Run Stopping explores this special teams success because it’s a reminder that excellence in all three phases is what makes the Dolphins a complete team— and it’s a big reason they’re now leading the AFC East.

One of the most encouraging takeaways from Sunday’s win was the Dolphins’ ability to handle pressure in key moments— a trait that has eluded them in recent seasons. With the score tied 10-10 early in the third quarter, the Dolphins took control with a 10-play, 80-yard drive that ended with Waddle’s touchdown, and they never looked back. Later, when the Patriots cut the lead to 20-17 with 8 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Dolphins responded with a 7-play, 55-yard drive that culminated in Sanders’ 45-yard field goal— effectively putting the game out of reach. “We used to fold when teams made runs at us, but now we’re the ones who step up,” Tagovailoa said after the game. This late-game poise was on full display in the final two minutes, when the defense forced Jones into a four-and-out, securing the win. The Dolphins’ veterans, including Hill and Wilkins, played a big role in this— they kept the team calm during timeouts and led by example on the field. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 4 Recap: Patriots Win, Turnover-Free Offense, and Defensive Run Stopping emphasizes this late-game success because it’s what will make the Dolphins a tough out in the playoffs— if they can keep closing games like this, they’ll be a legitimate Super Bowl threat.

Finally, Sunday’s win has cemented the Dolphins’ status as AFC East leaders and legitimate Super Bowl contenders— a far cry from where they were just a year ago. At 3-1, they’re alone in first place in the division, and they’ve already beaten two of their biggest rivals (the Bills and Patriots). The team’s success isn’t a fluke— it’s the result of smart roster building, strong coaching, and a culture of accountability that McDaniel has fostered. While the Dolphins know there’s still a long way to go (they face the Chiefs in Week 6, a game that will be a true test of their title credentials), they’re enjoying this moment. “We’ve worked hard for this, but we’re not done,” McDaniel said. The players have also kept their focus— they’re already preparing for Week 5’s matchup against the New York Giants, and they’re not letting their early success go to their heads. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 4 Recap: Patriots Win, Turnover-Free Offense, and Defensive Run Stopping concludes with this momentum because it’s clear the Dolphins are building something special. With a balanced offense, a improving defense, and a team that knows how to win, they’re poised to have their best season in years— and maybe, just maybe, bring a Super Bowl back to Miami.