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Grades for the Dolphins’ season-opening win over Patriots, plus stock up, stock down

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FOXBOROUGH — The way the Miami Dolphins played in most aspects of the game, it usually wouldn’t be enough to win.

When the Dolphins needed it most, elite cornerback Xavien Howard punched the ball away from Patriots running back Damien Harris and then recovered it to stop New England’s late scoring threat.

Although the Patriots outgained the Dolphins 393-259 and won time of possession by roughly 13 1/2 minutes, it was the late takeaway and keeping New England to one touchdown on four red-zone trips that proved to be the difference between 1-0 and 0-1 in the AFC East.