MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The mistakes started almost immediately for the Dolphins, and despite a strong defensive performance, they made a few too many to hang with the Patriots on Sunday.

A short rain shower during the Dolphins’ first possession led to a slick ball and a fumbled snap on a punt deep in their territory. Punter Brandon Fields was tackled at the 12-yard line, which set up a short touchdown drive for the Patriots. The Miami errors kept coming from there.