What coach Jeff Hafley said about Miami Dolphins' loss to Patriots

MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins were feeling good Sunday about their chances of winning back-to-back games for the first time in 2026. But then the second half started. The New England Patriots defeated the Dolphins, 24-19, at Hard Rock Stadium, scoring three touchdowns in less than 12 minutes to erase a 10-point halftime deficit and take a lead they would not relinquish. Miami fell to 1-6. The Dolphins will seek their first home win of the season Nov. 8 when they host the 5-2 Detroit Lions . Detroit handed the Minnesota Vikings their first loss of the season Sunday. Here is what coach Jeff Hafley said Monday about the loss to the Patriots. Hafley wants Ollie Gordon using energy and passion 'but has to harness it' Hafley said he and Ollie Gordon had four conversations about Gordon's unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the second half with Miami leading 13-10. The penalty was called after Gordon taunted Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane, turning what would have been a third-and-5 into a third-and-20 and leading to a punt. The Patriots scored the next 21 points. "I have conversations and I tell people the truth," Hafley said. "I don't sugarcoat stuff. I don't have to yell and scream. I need to be honest and educate him. He's young." Those conversations came after the penalty happened, after the game, Sunday night in a text and when Gordon came into Hafley's office Monday morning. "For those who have been around Ollie, Ollie's an awesome guy," Hafley said. "Ollie's got unbelievable energy. The problem that occurs is if you keep that up you're letting people create a narrative that might not be true of who you are. "I don't believe any us want that and in doing so you're costing your team, putting in some adverse situations. He's young, so we teach him and have conversations with him on why. I want him to use that energy and passion but he has to harness it." Kadyn Proctor still in concussion protocol; Kingston played well Rookie left guard Kadyn Proctor remains in concussion protocol but "he's progressing through it and we'll continue to follow the steps," Hafley said. Proctor experienced symptoms last week and was ruled out of the Patriots game on Friday. Jarrett Kingston, a third-year veteran, played in Proctor's place. "He started off a little slow and then I thought as he got comfortable he picked it up and he did well," Hafley said. "I thought he was physical. His assignments were good. I know he had one false start fairly early in the game. I thought he finished well and I thought he played well for his first start. "Whether or not he goes (vs. Detroit) I know he'll be ready and we can count on him." Hafley says Malik Willis has 'room for improvement' Miami quarterback Malik Willis completed 21 of 32 passes for 211 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception. He threw a 35-yard TD pass to rookie receiver Kevin Coleman Jr., just outside the 2-minute warning in the fourth quarter. "Some good," Hafley said of Willis. "I thought there were some drives where the ball came out well, made really clean decision. Made some big throws, a touchdown pass, third-down conversions. "Then just like any other game, there's room for improvement … on what he can do to continue to improve and get better, whether it's throwing the ball, whether it's with his legs, whether it's decision making. There's always some good and there always room for improvement." Hafley on Chris Johnson's missed sack: 'He'll make the play next time' Hafley was asked about rookie cornerback Chris Johnson's missed sack on Patriots QB Drake Maye in the second quarter that led to a fourth-down completion. He said he'll keep the conversation with Chris between them, but added he's not concerned. "That's life in this league," Hafley said. "You're going to make some plays, especially at his position … deep passes playing corner, you got to have a short memory. "He knows he's more than capable of making those plays. It was a one-time thing and he'll make the play the next time. Those are the ones you just got to move on. You can't get it back. He'll make the play. It happened. I got his back. He's going to be a really, really good player." Dolphins sticking with PK Zane Gonzalez Kicker Zane Gonzalez, who was re-signed by the Dolphins Oct. 20 to replace Riley Patterson, missed a 43-yard field goal attempt midway through the fourth quarter at the end of an 11-play drive that took nearly six minutes. Hafley was asked if the team will stick with the kicker. "As of right now, we'll stick with Zane," he said. Hafley said guard Jonah Savaiinaea started slow and got back to his "physical self" as the game went on. "We have to figure out why." Hafley said the rookie receivers played well and competed against a good defense. "They are getting better," he said. Jaylen Wright returned five kicks for 142 yards, including a 43-yarder. "I think he was a bright spot in the return game," Hafley said, adding the return game "was better." The Dolphins had two punt returns for 20 yards. Tom D'Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@pbpost.com.