Patriots’ Next Opponent Suddenly Has An NFL Award Candidate At Quarterback

Patriots’ Next Opponent Suddenly Has An NFL Award Candidate At Quarterback originally appeared on NESN.
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The New England Patriots might have expected to face a struggling Miami Dolphins team when they looked ahead to their next AFC East game. Instead, their upcoming opponent suddenly has an award candidate at quarterback, a rookie receiver coming off a breakout performance and its first victory of the season.

Miami quarterback Malik Willis was nominated for the FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Week award following Sunday’s 28-25 victory over the New York Jets. The Dolphins entered the game without a win, but Willis delivered one of his most efficient performances of the season and gave New England something additional to study before the teams meet Sunday.

Willis Delivered More Than Just A Win

Willis completed 14 of 21 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns against the Jets. He also rushed for 37 yards and another score, finishing with three total touchdowns and no turnovers. His 130.7 passer rating represented a significant improvement over his previous outing, and Miami needed every bit of his production to survive a late New York comeback.

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The most explosive play came through rookie receiver Caleb Douglas, who caught two touchdown passes in his return from an ankle injury. One covered 63 yards in the fourth quarter and gave Miami valuable breathing room. The Dolphins also received 103 rushing yards from Ollie Gordon II, making their offensive performance considerably more balanced than their winless record might have suggested.

New England’s Defensive Assignment Just Became More Interesting

The Patriots enter the game at 4-3 after falling 30-24 to the Chicago Bears last Thursday. That loss ended an opportunity to build further momentum, but New England still has a winning record and a chance to strengthen its position in the division. Miami, meanwhile, is only 1-5, although its latest performance suggests the Patriots cannot simply rely on the standings to predict what will happen.

Malik Willis delivered his best game in Miami, leading the Dolphins to their first win of the season. 14/21, 208 PASS YDS, 2 PASS TD, 8 CAR, 37 RUYDS, 1 RUSH TD vs Jets https://t.co/pJ7aLV2DlY

— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) October 25, 2026

Willis’ mobility creates a different defensive challenge from a quarterback who operates almost exclusively inside the pocket. New England must account for designed runs, improvisation and the possibility of a downfield connection with Douglas. The Patriots have already experienced how a few explosive plays can change a close game, making discipline and tackling especially important against Miami.

The teams are scheduled to meet Sunday, November 1, at 4:25 p.m. ET at Hard Rock Stadium. Miami’s first victory does not erase its difficult start, and one productive performance does not guarantee another. It does, however, mean the Patriots are preparing for a quarterback who just produced three touchdowns, avoided turnovers and earned recognition for his work.

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