The New England Patriots topped the Miami Dolphins 31-13 in a pivotal Week 8 matchup of the 2026 season. With this victory, the Patriots continue to solidify their position in the playoff race, while the Dolphins face increasing pressure to turn their season around. Drake Maye led the Patriots with a steady performance, throwing for one touchdown, while TreVeyon Henderson stole the spotlight on the ground with an impressive 163 rushing yards. Malik Willis of the Dolphins managed to put up 152 passing yards, but Miami struggled to keep pace with New England's potent offense, ultimately falling short. Defensively, the Patriots were dominant, with Harold Landry III recording two sacks and Christian Gonzalez making a significant impact with two interceptions. The turning point of the game came when Gonzalez's second interception set up a crucial scoring drive for New England, extending their lead and effectively sealing the game. Miami's defense, despite standout Darnell Savage's four total tackles, could not contain the relentless Patriots attack.